Throughout history, a psaltery has been a popular instrument in one form or another. In medieval times, psalteries consisted of wooden boards with gut strings. Hollow boxes with sound holes came later with metal strings that were plucked or struck. It is only much later that the bowed psaltery was introduced. This bowed psaltery is the type that is still used today.
The bowed psaltery is still being played today. It is as easy to play as using one finger to sound out a melody on a piano. Songbooks are readily available enabling one to play songs by number. This makes it a good instrument for someone who plays by ear and does not read music.
The main attraction of such an instrument is the sounds it can produce. The strings are closely placed so that when a string is played, the others pick up the vibrations. The sounds produced are described as haunting, ethereal and the notes are sustained, seeming to hang in the air. This sound seems out of proportion with its fairly small size. The instrument is fully chromatic with strings on the right side producing natural notes and those down the left providing the sharps and flats.
The craftsmen who create these instruments are passionate about their craft. They produce the most beautiful looking instruments and are continually seeking to improve them. They not only have to know how to work with wood but must have musical knowledge as well in order to produce instruments that produce the best sounds. Their aim is to create instruments that are not only beautiful but are comfortable to play, durable and produce amazing sound.
A tremendous amount of pressure on the strings means that the frame must be substantial. Woods such as cherry, maple, walnut and birch are used to make it strong and durable. The wood chosen for the top has to allow for the vibrations of strings to be transmitted to the body and so a lighter wood is usually used.
The craftsman has to make sure that each string has exactly the right vibrating length. Too tight and the string breaks or too loose and the right sounds are not created. The placing of the hitch pins where each string begins is important. Tuning pins at the other end are used to loosen or tighten the strings.
Playing the psaltery is like playing a piano with one finger, except that, instead of a finger, a bow is used and drawn across one string at a time. It is run between the pins on the right to produce the natural notes and those on the left to create sharps and flats. The instrument is held in the left hand with the triangle tip away from the body. It nestles against the abdomen and the right hand is freed to hold the bow.
A psaltery is usually sold together with a bow as well as other accessories like tuning wrenches. Music sheets, songbooks and playing instructions are often included as well. The cost of these instruments reflect the time, materials used and skills required to make them. However, there are few other instruments as easy to play that can produce such hauntingly beautiful sounds.
The bowed psaltery is still being played today. It is as easy to play as using one finger to sound out a melody on a piano. Songbooks are readily available enabling one to play songs by number. This makes it a good instrument for someone who plays by ear and does not read music.
The main attraction of such an instrument is the sounds it can produce. The strings are closely placed so that when a string is played, the others pick up the vibrations. The sounds produced are described as haunting, ethereal and the notes are sustained, seeming to hang in the air. This sound seems out of proportion with its fairly small size. The instrument is fully chromatic with strings on the right side producing natural notes and those down the left providing the sharps and flats.
The craftsmen who create these instruments are passionate about their craft. They produce the most beautiful looking instruments and are continually seeking to improve them. They not only have to know how to work with wood but must have musical knowledge as well in order to produce instruments that produce the best sounds. Their aim is to create instruments that are not only beautiful but are comfortable to play, durable and produce amazing sound.
A tremendous amount of pressure on the strings means that the frame must be substantial. Woods such as cherry, maple, walnut and birch are used to make it strong and durable. The wood chosen for the top has to allow for the vibrations of strings to be transmitted to the body and so a lighter wood is usually used.
The craftsman has to make sure that each string has exactly the right vibrating length. Too tight and the string breaks or too loose and the right sounds are not created. The placing of the hitch pins where each string begins is important. Tuning pins at the other end are used to loosen or tighten the strings.
Playing the psaltery is like playing a piano with one finger, except that, instead of a finger, a bow is used and drawn across one string at a time. It is run between the pins on the right to produce the natural notes and those on the left to create sharps and flats. The instrument is held in the left hand with the triangle tip away from the body. It nestles against the abdomen and the right hand is freed to hold the bow.
A psaltery is usually sold together with a bow as well as other accessories like tuning wrenches. Music sheets, songbooks and playing instructions are often included as well. The cost of these instruments reflect the time, materials used and skills required to make them. However, there are few other instruments as easy to play that can produce such hauntingly beautiful sounds.
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