Stringed Instrument Tunings - Z

Z

Instrument Strings & Courses Tuning(s) Alternative Names Origin Notes Picture
Zheng 18 strings

18 courses

 Common:

C2 D2 E2 G2 A2 C3 D4 E4 G4 A4 C4 D4 E4 G4 A4 C5 D5 E5

 Guzheng, Gu Zheng, Pinyin China Tuning is not absolute, and is not limited by Western equal temperament.

Zhengs also come with varying numbers of strings, typically from 16-26; the pentatonic tuning is extended to accommodate these extra (high and low) strings.
Zhonghu 2 strings

2 courses
  • G3 D4
  • A3 E4
 China Either tuning may be considered "standard".
Zither Alpine 5 fretted strings

5 courses

plus

37 open accompaniment & bass strings

 Fretted Strings Standard/Common:

A4 A4 D4 G3 C3

Alternate:

  • Vienna: A4 D4 G3 G3 C3

 Alpine Zither, Harp Zither Austria, Germany, elsewhere. Standard Tuning AKA "Munich"

  • 5 fretted melody strings
  • 12 unfretted accompaniment strings
  • 12 unfretted bass strings
  • 13 unfretted contrabass strings
Zither, Concert 5 fretted strings

5 courses

plus

29 - 30 open accompaniment & bass strings

 Fretted Strings Standard/Common:

A4 A4 D4 G3 C3

Alternate:

  • Vienna: A4 D4 G3 G3 C3

 Concert Zither, Fretted Zither America, Germany, elsewhere. Standard AKA "Munich"

  • 5 fretted melody strings
  • 12 unfretted accompaniment strings
  • 12 unfretted bass strings
  • up to 13 unfretted contrabass strings (5 or 6 is the most common)
Zither Guitar Varies Varied open string chord sets and chromatic or diatonic tuning of additional open strings. The string tuning is often printed on the instrument itself. See the picture. No frets nor fingerboard. Guitar zither, Chord zither, Fretless Zither Austria, Germany, elsewhere. May have from 12 to 50 strings, or more, depending on design
  • See also Autoharp which has diatonic and chromatic open strings, and a stop mechanism to produce chords.

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