The bowed psaltery is a triangular instrument that is played with a bow. The bow is drawn across strings that are attached to a hitch pin on one side and a tuning pin on the other. The shape of the wooden soundboard is triangular and the strings run down both sides. The bow is drawn over each string individually. The right side is like the white keys on a piano and the left side contains sharps and flats like the black keys of a piano. The sound is something like that of a violin, but it is much easier to play.
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.
The makers of these instruments today take great pride in their craft. They are always attempting to produce ones that not only create excellent sounds but are comfortable to play too. This requires a combination of good musical knowledge as well as woodworking skills.
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.
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.
Comfort and durability are other considerations when buying an instrument. The frame has to be a certain thickness to make sure the pins are secure. It must be as lightweight and responsive as possible without sacrificing solidity of construction. An instrument that is too heavy may cause strain and fatigue when playing.
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.
The makers of these instruments today take great pride in their craft. They are always attempting to produce ones that not only create excellent sounds but are comfortable to play too. This requires a combination of good musical knowledge as well as woodworking skills.
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.
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.
Comfort and durability are other considerations when buying an instrument. The frame has to be a certain thickness to make sure the pins are secure. It must be as lightweight and responsive as possible without sacrificing solidity of construction. An instrument that is too heavy may cause strain and fatigue when playing.
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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