What is crwth?

The crwth (pronounced "crooth") is an ancient Welsh stringed instrument, also known as a crowd. It's considered one of the oldest European bowed string instruments.

• Description: The crwth is a type of lyre, but unlike a lyre, it has a fingerboard. It is traditionally made from a single piece of wood (typically maple) carved into a hollow body. It has a flat bridge that sits upon the soundboard.

• Strings: Crwths typically have six strings. These strings were historically made of gut.

• Playing Technique: The crwth is held vertically or slightly angled and played with a bow. The strings are stopped with the fingers of the left hand, similar to a violin or other bowed string instrument. The drone strings, which are not stopped, provide a constant harmonic background.

• History: The earliest evidence of the crwth dates back to the 11th century, though it is believed to have existed in some form even earlier. It was closely associated with Welsh bards and musicians. The instrument declined in popularity during the 18th and 19th centuries, but there has been a revival of interest in recent decades.

• Tuning: There is no one "standard" tuning for the crwth, and tunings could vary by region or preference.