How many strings does a bowed psaltery have?
With this Psaltery set you can get started right away. This beautiful instrument is manufactured for us in a violin manufacturing facility with a body of European maple and a solid spruce top. It comes in a padded case with tuning key, tensible bow, and rosin. The instrument is in C and has 30 steel strings.
What are the notes on a bowed psaltery?
The notes along the right-hand side of the instrument are all “natural” notes (like the white keys of the piano), and those along the left side are all sharps/flats (like the black keys of the piano). Start on the right side with the shortest string, the highest “g” note, two and one-half above middle C.
Can you pluck a bowed psaltery?
Some players will also hold two bows in one hand to facilitate double-stopping. Other than bowing, the instrument may also be strummed or struck for additional tone colors. The strings are often too closely spaced for conventional finger picking, but may be plucked at the bowing end.
Is the psaltery hard to learn?
Since it’s so easy to play by ear most people are playing their first tune in a matter of minutes. Our instruction book and DVD, (included with every psaltery), are thorough and easy to follow. The best advice is to start with one or two songs and practice them until you’re satisfied.
What does D psaltery mean?
Definition of psaltery : an ancient musical instrument resembling the zither.
How old is the bowed psaltery?
The psaltery first appeared in Europe in the 11th century and consists of a wooden resonating box with a varied number of wire strings stretched across it.
How do you play bowed zither?
The most common way practiced is to hold the tip of the psaltery out away from your body with your left hand holding it about two thirds the way up. Then, nestle the base of the instrument either on the inside of your elbow, or against your abdomen. The right hand holds the bow and does all of the playing.
How do you hold a bowed psaltery?
Hold the bow with the fingertips of your right hand. Rest the bow hair on one of the psaltery strings (no need to press hard) and draw the full length of the bow across that string, making a long, even note. Push the full length of the bow across the same string in the opposite direction.
What period is psaltery?
Medieval and Renaissance psalteries From the 12th through the 15th centuries, psalteries are widely seen in manuscripts, paintings and sculpture throughout Europe. They vary widely in shape and the number of strings (which are often, like lutes, in courses of two or more strings).
What is the best psaltery to play?
This size psaltery is still quite comfortable to play given your average arm length. Because of its fuller sound and greater range, this is my most popular model. The Baritone is my largest Bowed Psaltery with a range of 3 octaves (37 strings) going from C6-C3.
How is the psaltery tuned?
The instrument is tuned with zither pins and a tuning wrench. Included with your psaltery are a 17″ long maple horsehair bow, a tuning wrench, rosin, extra strings, and an Owner’s Manual. There are markers embedded in the instrument for the Cs and for the Gs to help you find your way.
What are the dimensions of a baritone psaltery?
The Baritone is my largest Bowed Psaltery with a range of 3 octaves (37 strings) going from C6-C3. I now offer this psaltery with either 1″ or 7/8″ between the pins. The dimensions are 11″ X 30 1/2″ X 3 1/4″for the 1″spacing and 10″ X 28″ for the 7/8″. Weight for either is about 4-5 lbs.
What is the size of the Alto psaltery?
The Alto’s larger body size is approximately 26″ x 9 1/2″ x 2 3/4″ with pins and is 3 to 3/12 lbs depending on the wood. This size psaltery is still quite comfortable to play given your average arm length.