If you are just beginning to learn how to play the zither, A Beginners Guide to Zither by Janet Stessl is a great place to start. Topics covered include playing surfaces, body position, left and right hand exercises and more. For more information, send SASE to:

Janet Stessl
6173 N. McClellan Ave.
Chicago, IL 60646
or e-mail janstessl@aol.com

In the late 1800s, the zither experienced a surge of popularity in the United States. Along with this interest came a need for learning material that would serve to build a solid foundation for new zither players. Carl Fischer Publishers answered this need by making available A Darr's Method for Zither in a dual-language ( German and English ) edition. A. Darr's Method for Zither contains music theory, right and left and exercises, songs and more. A valuable resource for any zither player.

To continue on with the basics and to graduate toward higher levels of aptitude with the zither, Adalbert Albrecht's three books for learning the zither are highly recommended. Players who can read German will benefit the most from these texts, but the material will benefit all players who can read music.

Whether you're interested in playing along with a backing band, improving your timing or improvisational skills, play-along CDs can prove to be a valuable musical aid. For zither players seeking instructional materials in this format, Johanna de Groot and Ilse Harris have produced play-along CDs that consist of easy to more challenging arrangements of well known folk songs and popular favorites. For more information, visit the web site of Zither Australia Publications.

Are you aware of additional learning materials that are specific to the Alpine zither and not provided here? Can you suggest learning materials that you found to be particular useful when learning how to play? If so, contact us.