Psalteries have been around since ancient times, producing their hauntingly beautiful sounds. The earliest ones consisted simply of a board and strings. Later ones had a hollow box and metal strings. What many people are unaware of is how easy these instruments are to play compared with many others and the fact that many people still enjoy playing them today. An internet search will show just how many of them on offer, often beautifully made by skilled craftsmen. If you are looking for a psaltery for sale, this is an easy way to find one.
As with any instrument, one can be built quite simply but the more intricate ones take much skill. First and foremost, the craftsman has to have a good knowledge of working with wood. The item has to be solid enough to withstand pressure and one must be able to hold it comfortably. Secondly, musical understanding is also necessary. Some artistic talent helps too with decorating of sound holes and choosing types of wood that look good together.
The strings of bowed psalteries run down both sides of its triangular shape. The notes are similar to those on a piano. The natural notes, or white keys, are on one side and the sharps and flats, or black keys, are on the other. One bows each note individually where its string comes to the edge using the special bow made for the instrument.
Handcrafted items often come at a price. Basic instruments are available for beginners that are not as expensive and there are even instructions given on sites on how to make your own. One can first learn how to play on a more basic version and then graduated to one of the truly beautiful more expensive items.
Another factor to consider is the type of wood used. This affects the sounds produced and the durability. The top of the instrument is usually made of a different type of wood to the back and sides. It needs to be lighter so that the vibration of the strings is transferred through to the body. The frame needs to be solid and is made of harder woods.
Each string wraps over a hitch pin and runs across a perpendicular piece of wood at the top called the bridge. It ends up wound around a tuning pin at the base. The hitch pins anchor the strings to the instrument and lift them above the soundboard. The spacing of these hitch pins is very important as this affects the sounds created.
The sound hole of the instrument is usually decorated. Typically, if it is a pattern or carving inside the sound hole, it is considered a rose. If anything is inlaid around the sound hole it is called a rosette. Most suppliers of these items offer the customer several choices of design.
If you are looking for a psaltery for sale, an online search reveals what is available. You can compare different designs and prices to find one most suitable for you. Many offers include items such as a bow and a tuning wrench as well as a carrying case. It is easy to find sheet music online for these instruments and some suppliers even include simple instructions on how to play as part of a package deal.
As with any instrument, one can be built quite simply but the more intricate ones take much skill. First and foremost, the craftsman has to have a good knowledge of working with wood. The item has to be solid enough to withstand pressure and one must be able to hold it comfortably. Secondly, musical understanding is also necessary. Some artistic talent helps too with decorating of sound holes and choosing types of wood that look good together.
The strings of bowed psalteries run down both sides of its triangular shape. The notes are similar to those on a piano. The natural notes, or white keys, are on one side and the sharps and flats, or black keys, are on the other. One bows each note individually where its string comes to the edge using the special bow made for the instrument.
Handcrafted items often come at a price. Basic instruments are available for beginners that are not as expensive and there are even instructions given on sites on how to make your own. One can first learn how to play on a more basic version and then graduated to one of the truly beautiful more expensive items.
Another factor to consider is the type of wood used. This affects the sounds produced and the durability. The top of the instrument is usually made of a different type of wood to the back and sides. It needs to be lighter so that the vibration of the strings is transferred through to the body. The frame needs to be solid and is made of harder woods.
Each string wraps over a hitch pin and runs across a perpendicular piece of wood at the top called the bridge. It ends up wound around a tuning pin at the base. The hitch pins anchor the strings to the instrument and lift them above the soundboard. The spacing of these hitch pins is very important as this affects the sounds created.
The sound hole of the instrument is usually decorated. Typically, if it is a pattern or carving inside the sound hole, it is considered a rose. If anything is inlaid around the sound hole it is called a rosette. Most suppliers of these items offer the customer several choices of design.
If you are looking for a psaltery for sale, an online search reveals what is available. You can compare different designs and prices to find one most suitable for you. Many offers include items such as a bow and a tuning wrench as well as a carrying case. It is easy to find sheet music online for these instruments and some suppliers even include simple instructions on how to play as part of a package deal.
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