The behavior of the American Zither when keyed portamento is applied is strikingly similar to that of an asian zither such as the Chinese Gu Zheng, which has the ability to perform bends and vibrato by pushing the length of string on the opposite side of the bridge from the sounding length. Of course it is not the same: Our instrument was hammered, not plucked like the Gu Zheng, and its strings are of different lengths and materials. Its envelope is similar, however, and the relative harmonic content from its attack to decay is comparable. Therefore, when we discovered the expressive possibilities of GVI's extended portamento controls, we just had to include them in order to give you the option of performing a million-and-one different bends or vibrato types. A 10 DVD collection would not give you the same variety of expressive possibilities. And just think about trying to perform in realtime using a library that big with keyswitching!

This piece uses the American Zither in a way that is suggestive of the Gu Zheng and its music. The Zither is found accompanied here by strings, flute, and percussion in a slow march.