The bowed psaltery is a triangular shaped instrument with strings running down both sides. Chromatic ones have the sharps and flats on one side and the natural notes on the other. The instrument is usually held in the one arm and played with a bow, although it can also be played in other ways. The bow is used to draw over one string at a time to produce the notes. The reason people love to play it is because it is not too difficult to produce hauntingly beautiful sounds.
Psalteries date back to medieval times and the earliest ones consisted of simple wooden boards and strings. Later versions consisted of a hollow box with a sound hole and metal strings. Strings were either plucked or struck and it was only some time later that bows began to be 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.
The type of wood used for construction is very important to the quality of the sound. The soundboard has to be made of a light wood so as to allow sounds to transmit properly. Cedar and spruce are popular choices. The back and sides need to be sturdily constructed and thick enough to hold all the pins but at the same time should be light and responsive. Woods like cherry, oak and mahogany are often used.
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 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.
Comfort is an important consideration when purchasing an instrument. The frame must be light enough to hold comfortably, so as to prevent fatigue and strain. On the other hand, solid construction should not be sacrificed for lightness in weight. The frame has to be strong and thick enough to support all the pins.
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 date back to medieval times and the earliest ones consisted of simple wooden boards and strings. Later versions consisted of a hollow box with a sound hole and metal strings. Strings were either plucked or struck and it was only some time later that bows began to be 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.
The type of wood used for construction is very important to the quality of the sound. The soundboard has to be made of a light wood so as to allow sounds to transmit properly. Cedar and spruce are popular choices. The back and sides need to be sturdily constructed and thick enough to hold all the pins but at the same time should be light and responsive. Woods like cherry, oak and mahogany are often used.
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 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.
Comfort is an important consideration when purchasing an instrument. The frame must be light enough to hold comfortably, so as to prevent fatigue and strain. On the other hand, solid construction should not be sacrificed for lightness in weight. The frame has to be strong and thick enough to support all the pins.
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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