A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kit
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KIT, a tiny violin, which, before the general introduction of pianofortes, was carried by dancing masters in their pockets. Hence the French and German names for it were 'pochette' and 'Taschengeige,' though pochette is also applied to an instrument of long and narrow form resembling a sourdine. It was usually about 16 inches long over all: the woodcut shows its size relatively to that of the violin. Sometimes, however, as in Nos. 61h and 66 of the Special Exhibition of Ancient Musical Instruments, S. K. Mus. 1872, the neck was longer and broader, for convenience of fingering, which gave the Kit a disproportioned look. The instrument is now practically obsolete.
[ G. ]
- ↑ If Pochette were an Italian word the origin of Kit would not be far to seek.