What is a Cittern?

A cittern is a plucked string instrument that was popular in Europe during the Renaissance and early Baroque periods. It belongs to the lute family and typically features a flat-backed wooden body, a long neck with frets, and several pairs of metal strings known as courses. The instrument was commonly played using a plectrum.

The cittern produces a bright, ringing tone because of its metal strings and shallow body. Musicians often used it to play chordal accompaniments, dance music, and popular songs of the time. Its tuning and playing style made it suitable for both melodic passages and rhythmic strumming.

During the Renaissance, the cittern was a widely used household instrument and was often kept in public places such as barber shops for casual entertainment. Although it later declined in popularity, the cittern influenced several modern instruments, including the Irish bouzouki and other contemporary folk instruments that use similar string arrangements and tunings.