Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprised of a support, a plurality of strings secured to the support and adapted to vibrate when strummed, the strings defining a playing area and being arranged in groups of octaves. A set of manually operable keys is disposed outside of the playing area with each key being associated with a corresponding one string in each octave. A damper bar is secured to each key and extends in a direction transverse to the strings and is disposed beneath the strings. One end of each damper bar is coupled to a pivot point and a plurality of damper elements are secured to each damper bar, the damper elements on one bar being associated with, and positioned beneath, a respective one string in each octave. All of the strings are accessible for strumming from above, and the strings can be strummed over substantially the entirety of the playing area including portions of the strings which overlie the damping elements. Bias elements bias all of the damper bars to a quiescent position.