Thursday, October 16, 2014

How To Make Handmade Psalteries

By Patty Goff


For those who do not know, a psaltery is an instrument that is somewhat a combination of a violin and a harp and is often played in the olden days. Now if one likes to play a string instrument that produces a somewhat unique sound, then he can actually play this instrument. This guide will help him be able to create his own handmade psalteries.

To begin the process, one has to first make sure that he makes the frame. Now do take note that the frame is one of the most important parts of the entire instrument because it is the thing that holds everything. So if one would want to make the frame, he has to first cut out two thin pieces of plywood for the sides and a thick piece for the base.

After acquiring these three pieces, then the next thing to do would be to use some glue to put them together. Now in order to put them together, one would have to make use of some wood glue which can be bought in stores. So after he puts the glue, he just has to wait for the glue to dry then he may proceed.

After doing that, then one now has to create a covering for the back of the instrument. Now to create the back, one will be making a huge triangle the size of the frame. Now he just must make a triangle from some plywood and then attach it to the back of the frame.

After creating the back, he then has to create the front which is also known as the soundboard. Now the soundboard is the part of the instrument wherein the strings and pins can actually be found. Now to make this, one just has to cut out a thin plywood and model it after the back then stick it on the front.

After doing that, then the next thing to do would be to make a tuning hole in the middle and then attach the pins. For the positioning of the tuning pins, one may search the internet and follow from there. One should use a drill to drill the holes where he will place the pins.

Now the next part in the process would be to put the strings. Now in order to do this, one has to buy some tuning strings from a music store and start tying the strings around the pins of the psaltery. He may use a pair of pliers to do the job if he cannot do it by hand.

Now once he has put the strings up, he then has to put the bridge. Now the bridge is actually very crucial because it is the part that will allow the psaltery to create a nice sound. Now the location of the bridge would be near the pins at the base of the instrument. Only after he has already attached everything that he can now just start plucking or strumming the strings. Now if he would want, he can actually create a bow for his psaltery but that can be done next time.




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