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![]() Krylovidnye gusli | |
Classification | |
---|---|
Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 315.2 (Trough zither with resonator) |
Playing range | |
varies Russin traditional tuning: E3 A3 H3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 | |
Related instruments | |
Gusli (Russian: гусли, IPA: [ˈɡuslʲɪ]) is the oldest East Slavic multi-string plucked instrument, belonging to the zither family, due to its strings being parallel to its resonance board. Its roots lie in Veliky Novgorod in Novgorodian Republic. It has its relatives in Europe and throughout the world: kantele in Finland, kannel in Estonia, kanklės in Lithuania, kokles in Latvia, Zither in Germany, citera in the Czech Republic, and psalterium in France. Furthermore, the kanun has been found in Arabic countries, and the autoharp, in the United States. It is also related to such ancient instruments as Chinese gu zheng, which has a thousand-year history, and its Japanese relative koto. A stringed musical instrument called guslim is listed as one of the Me in ancient Sumer.