Sticks in Strings

This is a zither with six groups of three closely spaced strings each. Woven between the strings in each group (over-under-over) is a small stick. The presence of this floating pseudo-bridge makes it so that the groups of three strings tend to sound together to produce warm, gong-like tones. You can bring out the gong tones by plucking the ends of the little sticks. You can refine their tonal blends by tuning the individual strings or adjusting the location of the sticks. You can also play the strings individually. The individual string tones take on an unusual color by virtue of the pseudo-bridge arrangement.

In the audio clip, Sticks in Strings is joined by The Other Side.