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.
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.
The type of wood used affects the sounds made by the instrument. The sounding board needs to be made of a light wood like cedar that allows sound to be transmitted as effectively as possible. The wood used for the back and sides needs to create a solid frame without being too heavy. Solid woods like mahogany and oak are often used.
The tension of the strings and placing of the hitch pins is also very important. Each string begins with a hitch pin, runs over the bridge and goes round a tuning pin at the base. The hitch pins must be spaced at exactly the right distance from the bridge to give each string the correct vibrating length and yet not be stretched too much. Poor spacing can affect the sounds produced and cause strings to break frequently.
The soundboard has a sound hole or rose in the center. The size of this hole affects the volume of sounds produced and the smaller it is, the softer the sounds. A rosette insert of laser cut solid wood may be used for the hole. Designs like Celtic knots, doves, butterflies, dragons and flowers are used to decorate the holes.
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.
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.
The type of wood used affects the sounds made by the instrument. The sounding board needs to be made of a light wood like cedar that allows sound to be transmitted as effectively as possible. The wood used for the back and sides needs to create a solid frame without being too heavy. Solid woods like mahogany and oak are often used.
The tension of the strings and placing of the hitch pins is also very important. Each string begins with a hitch pin, runs over the bridge and goes round a tuning pin at the base. The hitch pins must be spaced at exactly the right distance from the bridge to give each string the correct vibrating length and yet not be stretched too much. Poor spacing can affect the sounds produced and cause strings to break frequently.
The soundboard has a sound hole or rose in the center. The size of this hole affects the volume of sounds produced and the smaller it is, the softer the sounds. A rosette insert of laser cut solid wood may be used for the hole. Designs like Celtic knots, doves, butterflies, dragons and flowers are used to decorate the holes.
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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