A zither is a musical instrument with multiple strings stretched across a flat, hollow wooden body. Instead of holding it upright like a guitar, you lay it flat on a table or across your lap and pluck or strum the strings with your fingers or a pick.

The most famous type is the Alpine zither from Germany and Austria, which has melody strings you press down to change notes, plus additional strings that ring open to create accompaniment. You might have heard a zither's bright, shimmering sound in old movies set in the mountains of Europe. The instrument became internationally famous through the film The Third Man, whose zither soundtrack became a massive hit.

Zithers belong to an ancient family of instruments found across many cultures. The Japanese koto, the Chinese guzheng, and even the Appalachian dulcimer are all related to the zither. What they share is that basic design: strings stretched over a resonating box, played while the instrument rests horizontally.

Today, zithers are less common than guitars or violins, but they create a distinctive, delicate sound that's instantly recognizable once you've heard it.