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 have been around since medieval times and the earliest ones were simply wooden boards with strings. At first these strings were made of gut and later of metal. The wooden board also evolved into a hollow box with a sound hole. These instruments were usually plucked and it was only centuries later that bows were commonly used.
Those who make these traditional instruments today continuously seek out new and innovative ways to build and design them. These craftsmen need a combination of musical knowledge and good woodworking skills for this unique craft. This is necessary in order for them to produce instruments that not only produce the best sounds but are comfortable to play.
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.
One factor that has a great influence on the sounds produced by the instrument is the vibrating length of the strings and how the hitch pins are placed. Each hitch pin has to be placed a specific distance from the bridge to give the string attached to it the right vibrating length. If the distance is incorrect, the sounds produced may be scratchy or metallic and over-stretched strings can break easily.
The sound hole of the instrument plays a role in the volume of sounds produced. It needs to be just the right size as if it is too small or too large, the sounds produced are too soft. Manufacturers use many different ways of decorating the sound holes with motifs like doves, birds, butterflies or intricately carved rosettes.
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 have been around since medieval times and the earliest ones were simply wooden boards with strings. At first these strings were made of gut and later of metal. The wooden board also evolved into a hollow box with a sound hole. These instruments were usually plucked and it was only centuries later that bows were commonly used.
Those who make these traditional instruments today continuously seek out new and innovative ways to build and design them. These craftsmen need a combination of musical knowledge and good woodworking skills for this unique craft. This is necessary in order for them to produce instruments that not only produce the best sounds but are comfortable to play.
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.
One factor that has a great influence on the sounds produced by the instrument is the vibrating length of the strings and how the hitch pins are placed. Each hitch pin has to be placed a specific distance from the bridge to give the string attached to it the right vibrating length. If the distance is incorrect, the sounds produced may be scratchy or metallic and over-stretched strings can break easily.
The sound hole of the instrument plays a role in the volume of sounds produced. It needs to be just the right size as if it is too small or too large, the sounds produced are too soft. Manufacturers use many different ways of decorating the sound holes with motifs like doves, birds, butterflies or intricately carved rosettes.
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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