Sunday, October 19, 2014

The Basics Of Making Handmade Psalteries

By Patty Goff


The psaltery is one of the oldest string instruments to ever be recorded in history. It is basically a combination or fusion of a harp and a violin that produces a rather eerie but at the same time beautiful sound. Now if one would want to try playing this kind of instrument, he can actually make handmade psalteries in his house where he may try.

To begin the process, one has to first make sure that he makes the frame. Now do take note that the frame is one of the most important parts of the entire instrument because it is the thing that holds everything. So if one would want to make the frame, he has to first cut out two thin pieces of plywood for the sides and a thick piece for the base.

After acquiring these three pieces, then the next thing to do would be to use some glue to put them together. Now in order to put them together, one would have to make use of some wood glue which can be bought in stores. So after he puts the glue, he just has to wait for the glue to dry then he may proceed.

After doing that, then one now has to create a covering for the back of the instrument. Now to create the back, one will be making a huge triangle the size of the frame. Now he just must make a triangle from some plywood and then attach it to the back of the frame.

After he has done that, then the next thing that he has to think about would be attaching the soundboard. Now the soundboard would be the front of the psaltery and would be where the strings and the pins are. So to make this, one just has to make a duplicate of the back and attach it to the front instead.

Once he has created the entire thing, he must now cut out a small tuning hole in the middle of the creation and put some pins. Now in order to put the pins, he must drill some holes in the wood where he will stick the pins. To know where he should put the pins, he may actually search the internet for some instructions.

Once the pins are already in their place, the next thing to do would be to place the strings. If one does not know where to buy strings, he should try visiting a guitar or violin store. Once the strings have been acquired, one must use a pair of pliers to tie the strings around the pins.

Now once he has put the strings up, he then has to put the bridge. Now the bridge is actually very crucial because it is the part that will allow the psaltery to create a nice sound. Now the location of the bridge would be near the pins at the base of the instrument. Only after he has already attached everything that he can now just start plucking or strumming the strings. Now if he would want, he can actually create a bow for his psaltery but that can be done next time.




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