
The gittern was a relatively small gut-strung, round-backed instrument that first appeared in literature and pictorial representation during the 13th century in Western Europe (Iberian Peninsula, Italy, France, England). It is usually depicted played with a quill plectrum, as can be seen clearly beginning in manuscript illuminations from the thirteenth century. It was also called the ' in Spain, or in France, the in Italy and ' in Germany. A popular instrument with court musicians, minstrels, and amateurs, the gittern is considered an ancestor of the modern guitar and other instruments like th
Key facts
- Instrument.name
- Gittern
- Instrument.image
- Wartburg-Laute.JPG
- Instrument.image_size
- 200
- Instrument.image_capt
- Five course Gittern or "Quintern" dated 1450, built by luthier Hans Oth
- Instrument.classification
- String instrument (plucked)
- Instrument.hornbostel_sachs
- 321.322 (necked box lute)
- Instrument.hornbostel_sachs_desc
- Chordophone
- Instrument.developed
- 13th century
via Wikipedia infobox