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.
One of the reasons for its popularity is the ease with which it can be played. The bow is moved against the strings between pins and note guides are available, assigning a letter to each note. The music identifies each note with the corresponding letter. To play a song simply requires matching up the letters. Those who do have a musical background can become proficient really quickly.
People are delighted when they hear the kind of sounds they can produce. The notes appear to hang in the air and are hauntingly beautiful. The modern instrument is triangular in shape with strings running down both sides. The modern ones are completely chromatic with natural notes on the one side and sharps and flats on the other.
Craftsmen building these instruments are totally dedicated to their craft, continually striving to improve them. They have to have a unique combination of skills. Woodworking skills and musical knowledge are essential. Many of these craftsmen have artistic ability too, producing instruments that not only have great sound and are durable and comfortable to play but are beautiful to look at too.
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.
A knowledge of music is important in the construction of this instrument. The placement of the hitch pins, the size of the sound hole and many other factors can affect the sounds produced. All the elements have to be put together very precisely for the best sounds to be produced.
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.
No two instruments are exactly alike in either the way they look or the way they sound. The difference in prices among the various instruments reflects the expense and rarity of the woods used as well as the time and materials involved in hand crafting. They are usually sold with a bow and other accessories like extra strings and a tuning wrench. Songbooks and music sheets are often included too.
One of the reasons for its popularity is the ease with which it can be played. The bow is moved against the strings between pins and note guides are available, assigning a letter to each note. The music identifies each note with the corresponding letter. To play a song simply requires matching up the letters. Those who do have a musical background can become proficient really quickly.
People are delighted when they hear the kind of sounds they can produce. The notes appear to hang in the air and are hauntingly beautiful. The modern instrument is triangular in shape with strings running down both sides. The modern ones are completely chromatic with natural notes on the one side and sharps and flats on the other.
Craftsmen building these instruments are totally dedicated to their craft, continually striving to improve them. They have to have a unique combination of skills. Woodworking skills and musical knowledge are essential. Many of these craftsmen have artistic ability too, producing instruments that not only have great sound and are durable and comfortable to play but are beautiful to look at too.
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.
A knowledge of music is important in the construction of this instrument. The placement of the hitch pins, the size of the sound hole and many other factors can affect the sounds produced. All the elements have to be put together very precisely for the best sounds to be produced.
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.
No two instruments are exactly alike in either the way they look or the way they sound. The difference in prices among the various instruments reflects the expense and rarity of the woods used as well as the time and materials involved in hand crafting. They are usually sold with a bow and other accessories like extra strings and a tuning wrench. Songbooks and music sheets are often included too.
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