Citterns
Background
The cittern comes from an ancient family of Western European and British Isles instruments, having in common a teardrop shaped body, wire strings typically grouped in pairs and a flat or slightly curved back. The modern instrument is a recent hybrid development of older citterns such as the Portuguese guitarra, and American mandolin family instruments such as the octave mandolin and mandocello. Citterns are strongly associated with Celtic music, although appearances in other musical idioms have become more common. They usually have five pairs of strings. Four course instruments are frequently called bouzoukis, as some Irish players in the early 1960’s imported Greek bouzoukis for use in Irish music. While there is an ongoing debate as to what to call these hybrid instruments, the term ‘cittern’ serves nicely as a distinct signifier of their unique character.
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Tunings
Cittern designs vary greatly in scale length. Shorter scale instruments are typically rooted in G or similar, approximately like an octave mandolin. Longer scale instruments may be based on a low D, similar to the DADGAD tuning used for Celtic guitar. The following tunings are for 5-course instruments; for 4 courses simply remove either the 5th or 1st course. It is recommended that, in the long haul, the player settle upon and thoroughly explore a single approach rather than indulge in endless experimentation.
All tunings are shown bass to treble.
Open Tunings:
Open tunings are great for drone effects and for melody playing. Chords are more difficult but not impossible. The choice of keys is limited — use a capo. A melody can be learned on the high strings and then played with the same fingering an octave lower.
E - A - E - A - E or D - G - D - G - D
The same tuning, just one step apart. The two high courses are separated by a fifth, which makes them the same as a standard mandolin tuning.
D -A - D - A - D or C - G - C - G - C
The reverse of the above tuning.
Semi-Open tunings:
Semi-open tunings maintain most of the drone effects and easy melodic playing available with completely open tunings, but increase chordal possibilities.
D - A - E - A - E
The high range is open, but a four chord is a lot easier (and better sounding).
D - G - D - A - D
The middle courses are like a standard mandolin tuning.
Standard mandolin tunings:
C - G - D - A - D
The four bottom courses are like an octave mandola (the same relationships as a mandolin) and the top three are an open chord. The G-D-A-D tuning is perhaps the most popular for four courses.
C - G - D - A - E
Tuned in fifths all the way. The top four courses are an octave mandolin. The bottom four courses are an octave mandola (or a mandocello).
D - G - D - A - E
The top four courses are an octave mandolin. The low D gives a nice powerful D chord.
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Stringing
There are two general approaches to stringing the cittern. The first is to use matched pairs (or courses) of strings. Each pair is tuned in unison, as is done with familiar mandolin-family instruments. This results in a throaty, intensely powerful voice. This matched pairing is most successful in shorter scale instruments (typically rooted in G, such as the classic octave-mandolin) whose voices do not extend deeply into the lower range of the guitar. Matched pairs don't work as well for very low bass notes, such as the low bass D on a longer scale cittern.
A second approach is suggested by historical citterns or by the twelve-string guitar, in which a lighter-gauge string is paired with a heavier to sound the same note an octave apart. This results in a complex, chiming sound with lower string tension and easier possibilities of ornamentation, fast play etc. This setup also shifts the instrument's sound more towards delicacy and treble.
It may be best initially to experiment with both approaches as well as combinations thereof, keeping in mind the limitations imposed by the setup of the nut and saddle.
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Playing the Cittern
The cittern is typically played with a pick, although there certainly isn’t a rulebook stating that it always must be done so. The whole range of ornaments used in guitar and mandolin apply, including hammer-ons, pull-offs, triplets and even adopted piping tricks such as ‘cranning’.
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Discography
The following is a non-exhaustive list of cittern recordings, in alphabetical order by group name/artist’s last name.
- Robin Bullock — Green Fields, Between Earth and Sky
- Stanley Greenthal — Songs for the Journey, All Roads
- Andy Irvine — The Well Below the Valley (Planxty), The Maid I Loved So Well (Planxty), or anything else with Andy Irvine
- Roger Landes — Dragon Reels or any Scartaglen recordings
- Frank Le Bloas — Storvan (Storvan), An deizou kaer (Storvan)
- Donal Lunny — Best of the Bothy Band (Bothy Band), Old Hag You Have Killed Me (Bothy Band), or anything else he is on
- Jamie McMenemy — Premiere (Kornog), Ar Seizh Avel (Kornog), Restless Home (Orion)
- Carlos Paredes — Guitarra Portuguesa
- Joseph Sobol — Citternalia
- Telynor — Telynor 2, Sprig of Thyme
- Gerald Trimble — First Flight, Heartland Messenger, Crosscurrents
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Tutorial Books
There aren’t many tutorial materials available specifically for the cittern, but there are a few useful items out there.
- Exploring the Bouzouki by Jim Cowdery (Front Hall Records). A book and tape set for a 4-course instrument.
- The Irish Bouzouki by Niall Ó Callanain and Tommy Walsh (Mel Bay). A pretty good starter.
- Citterning by R. J. Stewart. An excellent tutorial tape, with chord diagrams and exquisite playing.
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Tune Books
There are lots of good tune books out there. Here are a few recommendations:
- O'Neill’s 1001 Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Airs, and Marches (Mel Bay). This is a classic collection.
- O'Neill’s Music of Ireland by Miles Krassen (Oak Publications). Another good "O'Neill’s" collection.
- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes. A compilation of Irish Tunes played at Seattle sessions. Self published by Caoimhin Gaimh, sometimes known as Kevin Gow.
- Toniou Breizh-Izel (Editions B.A.S.) Collected by Polig Monjarret. The "Green Book" is the definitive collection of Breton folk tunes.
- Traditional Slow Airs of Ireland by Tomas O Canainn (Ossian). More than 100 slow, beautiful airs ideal for the cittern. A cassette is also available.
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