The bowed psaltery makes a unique sound described by many as ethereal. It has a triangular shape and strings run down both sides. Natural tones are made on the one side and sharps and flats on the other. This instrument may look complicated because it has so many strings, but only one string is bowed at a time. It is usually cradled in the arm and the bow is drawn over a string to play a note and then moved on to another string to play another note.
Psalteries date back to medieval times and the earliest ones consisted of simple wooden boards and strings. Later versions consisted of a hollow box with a sound hole and metal strings. Strings were either plucked or struck and it was only some time later that bows began to be used.
There are a number of craftsmen creating these traditional instruments today. In order to make them they not only need to be skilled at working with wood but also need to have a good musical background. This combination allows for the creation of instruments that are solidly constructed, comfortable to play and make beautiful sounds too.
One factor that affect the sound of the instrument is the type of wood used. This is particularly true of wood used to make the soundboard. It has to allow for excellent sound transmission to the rest of the instrument and this is why lighter woods like spruce or cedar are used. The back and sides may be made of woods like black walnut, oak and mahogany.
The way the hitch pins are spaced can make all the difference to the sounds produced. They need to be placed at exactly the correct distance from the bridge to allow the string to vibrate correctly. If they are placed incorrectly the sounds may be metallic or scratchy and the strings can break easily. The tuning pins are used to tighten or loosen the strings.
Each instrument is constructed with a sound hole and it is the size of this hole that determines the volume produced. The larger the hole, the louder the sound but it must not be too large as this makes sounds softer again. A sound hole is usually decorated with a motif like a butterfly, sheaf of wheat, hummingbird, dove or a Celtic knot.
An instrument should also be comfortable to play. There is no pleasure in playing an instrument that causes muscle strain. The frame has to sturdy and thick enough to accommodate all the pins used to hold the strings in place but it should still be as light in weight as possible.
A bowed psaltery is not that difficult to learn how to play and manufacturers often include booklets for beginners. Many manufacturers now have online websites where pictures of their instruments are displayed and one can even hear what they sound like. Cost will depend on what exactly is being offered. A package deal will often include accessories such as a bow, rosin, tuning wrench, spare wire and a carrying case.
Psalteries date back to medieval times and the earliest ones consisted of simple wooden boards and strings. Later versions consisted of a hollow box with a sound hole and metal strings. Strings were either plucked or struck and it was only some time later that bows began to be used.
There are a number of craftsmen creating these traditional instruments today. In order to make them they not only need to be skilled at working with wood but also need to have a good musical background. This combination allows for the creation of instruments that are solidly constructed, comfortable to play and make beautiful sounds too.
One factor that affect the sound of the instrument is the type of wood used. This is particularly true of wood used to make the soundboard. It has to allow for excellent sound transmission to the rest of the instrument and this is why lighter woods like spruce or cedar are used. The back and sides may be made of woods like black walnut, oak and mahogany.
The way the hitch pins are spaced can make all the difference to the sounds produced. They need to be placed at exactly the correct distance from the bridge to allow the string to vibrate correctly. If they are placed incorrectly the sounds may be metallic or scratchy and the strings can break easily. The tuning pins are used to tighten or loosen the strings.
Each instrument is constructed with a sound hole and it is the size of this hole that determines the volume produced. The larger the hole, the louder the sound but it must not be too large as this makes sounds softer again. A sound hole is usually decorated with a motif like a butterfly, sheaf of wheat, hummingbird, dove or a Celtic knot.
An instrument should also be comfortable to play. There is no pleasure in playing an instrument that causes muscle strain. The frame has to sturdy and thick enough to accommodate all the pins used to hold the strings in place but it should still be as light in weight as possible.
A bowed psaltery is not that difficult to learn how to play and manufacturers often include booklets for beginners. Many manufacturers now have online websites where pictures of their instruments are displayed and one can even hear what they sound like. Cost will depend on what exactly is being offered. A package deal will often include accessories such as a bow, rosin, tuning wrench, spare wire and a carrying case.
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