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 are ancient instruments and the early versions consisted of wooden boards with gut strings. Later steel strings were added. Plucked psalteries were well known throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and illustrations show how they were held against the chest with the narrow end pointed down, or rested on the lap. The strings were then plucked, either with fingers, a quill or a plectrum. Ones that were bowed seem to have come later.
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.
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 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 may be sold on its own while another may be sold together with the accessories such as a bow, rosin for the bow, a tuning wrench and even an instruction manual. These instruments may be quite costly due to the time and care taken in their construction but the hauntingly beautiful sounds produced make them well worth the cost.
Psalteries are ancient instruments and the early versions consisted of wooden boards with gut strings. Later steel strings were added. Plucked psalteries were well known throughout Europe during the Middle Ages and illustrations show how they were held against the chest with the narrow end pointed down, or rested on the lap. The strings were then plucked, either with fingers, a quill or a plectrum. Ones that were bowed seem to have come later.
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.
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 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 may be sold on its own while another may be sold together with the accessories such as a bow, rosin for the bow, a tuning wrench and even an instruction manual. These instruments may be quite costly due to the time and care taken in their construction but the hauntingly beautiful sounds produced make them well worth the cost.
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