A psaltery was an ancient musical instrument that appeared in different forms throughout history. The earliest psalteries were simple wooden boards with strings attached to pegs. Later versions had a hollow box with a sound hole and metal strings. Strings were either plucked or struck. The ancient psaltery mentioned in the Bible was one of these. The bowed psaltery came later and appears to have been introduced in the early to mid 20th century.
The delight of playing the bowed psaltery has been discovered by many individuals today. It is not only the ethereal sounds that attract players but the fact that beginners can easily learn to play songs by numbers without knowing how to read music. Note guides have a letter for each note printed on it. The music has each note identified with its corresponding letter. Those with a musical background master can master it almost immediately.
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.
The type of wood used in construction of this instrument affects durability as well as the sounds produced. Some woods conduct sound better than others and this is why a lighter wood must be used for the top so as to better transfer the vibrations of strings. The body has to be strong enough to support the tension the strings exert and woods like walnut, birch, cherry and maple are used for this purpose.
Their are many elements to this instrument that have to work together to create the best sounds. For example, the placing of the hitch pins can affect the sound. The size of the sound hole is another element that affects sound. Strings cannot be too tight or too loose.
The psaltery is played by running the bow in between the pins on the right and left sides of an instrument at the openings. Only one string is played at a time. The most common way to hold the instrument is with the tip away from the body. The left hand holds the instrument and the base is nestled against the abdomen or inside the elbow. The right hand holds the bow and does all the playing. There are various other positions so players have to find what is most comfortable for them.
A psaltery is usually fairly expensive due to the time and skills required to make it. However, the fact that even those with no musical background can learn to play in a short amount of time, makes it a very rewarding instrument to own. A bow is usually included with purchase as well as a number of other accessories. Songbooks, music sheets and other instructions on how to play are often included too.
The delight of playing the bowed psaltery has been discovered by many individuals today. It is not only the ethereal sounds that attract players but the fact that beginners can easily learn to play songs by numbers without knowing how to read music. Note guides have a letter for each note printed on it. The music has each note identified with its corresponding letter. Those with a musical background master can master it almost immediately.
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.
The type of wood used in construction of this instrument affects durability as well as the sounds produced. Some woods conduct sound better than others and this is why a lighter wood must be used for the top so as to better transfer the vibrations of strings. The body has to be strong enough to support the tension the strings exert and woods like walnut, birch, cherry and maple are used for this purpose.
Their are many elements to this instrument that have to work together to create the best sounds. For example, the placing of the hitch pins can affect the sound. The size of the sound hole is another element that affects sound. Strings cannot be too tight or too loose.
The psaltery is played by running the bow in between the pins on the right and left sides of an instrument at the openings. Only one string is played at a time. The most common way to hold the instrument is with the tip away from the body. The left hand holds the instrument and the base is nestled against the abdomen or inside the elbow. The right hand holds the bow and does all the playing. There are various other positions so players have to find what is most comfortable for them.
A psaltery is usually fairly expensive due to the time and skills required to make it. However, the fact that even those with no musical background can learn to play in a short amount of time, makes it a very rewarding instrument to own. A bow is usually included with purchase as well as a number of other accessories. Songbooks, music sheets and other instructions on how to play are often included too.
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