While it has grown from simple instruments to synthesizers, music has crossed language, culture and time. This week’s What’s New Wednesday celebrates music in the form of a violinzither, from the 1920s. The strings of the violinzither or violinharp, much like a guitar, are strung over a sound box. However, these instruments lack a neck as would be found on a guitar or violin. This instrument can be played in a variety of ways, with one bow, two bows, or by using a bow and strumming at the same time. The SDAHM’s violinzither uses a bow for the melody, while the opposite hand strums the accompanying parts. It is 23.25 inches in length, 9.25 inches in width, and 1.25 inches tall. Its bow measures 18 inches long and employs horsehair to go over the strings. The sound is high a bit like a harp and violin cross. The violinzither is a rather unique instrument that has helped music celebrate our culture.