I got an email from Rasha this morning (as did y'all out in Washington) about a qanun concert. What?! I don't even know how to pronounce that word! But, according to her, it is the "most beautiful instrument in the world." Naturally, I had to look it up.
-----------------------------------
Qanun (Table Zither)

The qanun is a descendent of the old Egyptian harp and has played an integral part in Arab music since the tenth century.

A kind of dulcimer, its Arabic name means 'rule' or 'law.' The qanun was introduced to Europe by the 12th Century, becoming known during the 14th to the 16th Century as a psaltery or zither.

The form of the qanun consists of a trapezoid-shaped flat board over which 81 strings are stretched in groups of three with 24 treble chords consisting of three chords to each note. The instrument is placed flat on the knees or table of the musician; the strings are plucked with the finger or with two plectra, one plectrum attached to the forefinger of each hand.

More than any other instrument in Arab music, the qanun is suitable for the display of virtuosity, the execution of rapid scales and improvised rapid melodic ornamentation (fioriture).
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Ah. Now I see.
Information and picture at:

http://www.salamatmusic.com/instruments/qanun.htm