This instrument was designed and built while I was teaching a class on the Psalms of David. He mentions singing the Psalms to a ten string lyre. And, that is exactly what this is. It has a raw hide soundboard, ten steel strings, yarn wrapped arms (for color) and steel zither pins for tuning. It is tuned to a pentatonic scales G, A, C, D, F, G, A, B flat, C, D. The insertion of the B flat into the tuning really increases the music that can be played. It will actually play most of the music you can play on a dulcimer. It has a really full and unique sound. A great prop at some of my appearances.