The invention herein disclosed is, in one embodiment, directed to a
stringed musical instrument (e.g., a zither) that comprises a body; a
plurality of laterally spaced apart tensioned strings connected to said
body; axially spaced apart string supports below the strings, said
strings contacting the string supports and having span regions spanning
between the string supports; and a presser for each string, each presser
in contact with the span region of its string, and each presser being
movable laterally to displace the span region of its string and increase
the tension in its string, and being movable laterally away from the span
region of its string for releasing its string and lessening the tension
in its string.