April 26, 2014

Beautiful Bowed Psaltery For Sale

By Eloise Hewitt


Psalteries are probably the oldest musical instruments documented in ancient pictures and sculptures, and they come in all shapes. The original one was plucked with the fingers, or using a plectrum. But, this lovely instrument can also be bowed, although the first documents about this form of playing can be found in more recent history. In any case, if you would like to find one lovely bowed psaltery for sale, check some specialized online shops.

Plucking strings using fingers or a plectrum produces very pleasant, ringing tones that tingle in your ears. Bowed psaltery has different sound quality. It seams just like this sound float in the air, but it is quite difficult to describe it. You simply have to hear it. It has a sort of a medieval quality, and it is easy to find out why so many people appreciate it.

It is really easy to play this lovely instrument, and anybody can learn this very quickly. If you have always wanted to learn how to play music, this might be a perfect opportunity for you. You will surely learn a few simpler melodies the very first day. Music sheets are mostly available in any music shops that sells psalteries, and you can also find useful how-to books there.

Psaltery looks quite similar to both zither and harp. The strings run the entire length of the instrument. It seems like the first ones were developed in the Middle East, at least a few centuries BC, and brought to Europe and to China during the Middle Ages. Back then, these lovely instruments were played in all given occasions. It was often played during psalms reading, for example, but any other occasion was great as well.

At first, they were just rectangular wooden boxes, with gut strings on. Triangular shape soon became popular as well, but in Europe, they mostly preferred trapezoidal and wing shaped ones. Different parts of Europe have their own favorite shapes, and wing shaped psalteries were mostly played in Northern Europe. At first, some used two sticks to strike the strings, and some plucked them with fingers or a plectrum.

Today, gut strings are hard to find. They are mostly replaced with steel strings. They make this instrument louder, and the sound is much brighter. You will find many other instruments based on this one, for example, a harp. Popular zither is also based on ancient psaltery, as well as the hammer dulcimer. More and more people are interested in this great little instrument.

Different specialized shops offer psalteries and all related materials. The fact is that they are so easy to play anyone can do it, and you should really try. Beautifully shaped, made of wood or some other, unusual materials, simple or lovely decorated, these interested musical instruments will certainly make you fall in love in them instantly. Once you hear their sound, you will understand why.

Well, you don't have to be interested in playing psalteries to buy one. It looks really interesting, and can be used as a decorative element as well. If it is made of precious wood and beautifully shaped, you can find a nice place in your living room to put it there. In any case, when you see one, you'll find it hard to resist.




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