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.
Another reason why it is so popular is that it is able to produce the most ethereal sounds. The notes are sustained and seem to hang in the air. The modern versions are fully chromatic. The strings on the right side of the triangular shaped instrument represent the white keys on a piano and those running down the left side represent the black keys.
There have been continual improvements to these instruments over the years and those being constructed today are far superior to the earliest ones. They are built by craftsmen who have to combine a knowledge of woodwork, musical knowledge and artistic abilities. The instruments produced are not only durable and comfortable to play but are real works of art.
They have to know all about different types of wood as some types conduct sounds better than others and some are more durable than others. For the top of the instrument a lighter wood that can transmit vibrations to the body of the instrument is required. The back and sides need to be durable and for this reason heavier woods such as birch, walnut and maple are 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.
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.
Another reason why it is so popular is that it is able to produce the most ethereal sounds. The notes are sustained and seem to hang in the air. The modern versions are fully chromatic. The strings on the right side of the triangular shaped instrument represent the white keys on a piano and those running down the left side represent the black keys.
There have been continual improvements to these instruments over the years and those being constructed today are far superior to the earliest ones. They are built by craftsmen who have to combine a knowledge of woodwork, musical knowledge and artistic abilities. The instruments produced are not only durable and comfortable to play but are real works of art.
They have to know all about different types of wood as some types conduct sounds better than others and some are more durable than others. For the top of the instrument a lighter wood that can transmit vibrations to the body of the instrument is required. The back and sides need to be durable and for this reason heavier woods such as birch, walnut and maple are 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.
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.
