Akkordolia Explained

Akkordolia
Background:string
Classification:String instrument
Hornbostel Sachs Desc:Composite chordophone
Related:Taishōgoto, Bulbul tarang, Benju

The akkordolia is a zither from Germany and Austria, consisting of a long box, with the strings being pressed against the fretboard by pressing down buttons from above, similar to the Japanese taishogoto. One row of buttons changes the melody, and the other row of buttons can change the chord which backs the melody.

The instrument was invented around the start of the 20th century by Otto Teller of Klingenthal, Germany, and was produced locally there by cottage industry.[1]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Ulrich. Wilfried. Mountain Dulcimer Relatives Worldwide: The Taishokoto in Japan. Mel Bay's Dulcimer Sessions. 11 October 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20141024190842/http://archive.dulcimersessions.com/jun09/ulrich.html. 24 October 2014. dead. dmy-all.