The psaltery, also known as psalterion, psaltry and saltere, is an ancient musical instrument first mentioned in Christian literature three centuries before Christ, in Old Testament. At first, it was just a simple wooden board with gut strings, and it was played with fingers or a plectrum. It was widely used until fifteenth century, and handmade psalteries were quite common at the time.
After some time, this plain wooden board became a wooden box, with sound holes, but strings were still quite simple, without stoppers. There were trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular and wing shaped psalteries at the time, and some shapes were more popular in different countries. For example, in northern Europe, they preferred triangular and wing shaped instruments, sometimes double strung.
It is presumed that some later instruments such as zither or harpsichord are just more sophisticated versions of this ancient instrument. Harpsichord is a larger version and looks quite similar to an old psaltery, but it has a keyboard mechanism for plucking the strings. All strings are open, without stoppers.
In some parts of Europe, this instrument is used even today, primarily in folk music. For example, very similar instrument is used in Finland, and they call it kantele. In Estonia, the instrument derived from the old psaltery is called kannel, and still rather popular. Russian gusli are also related to it, but some of these instruments are rather bowed than plucked.
Even in some Arabic countries they also have their own versions of a psaltry, this time triple strung. Theirs is played using finger plectra. There are some other variations, for example, dulcimer, and this one is played with special hammers. In India and China, they have their own variations, but based on the same principle. In any case, you can play anything on these instruments, and they still produce very interesting tones.
It really is simple to learn to play psalteries, and the tone they make is absolutely amazing. It remains in the air, tingling and ringing, it is clean and interrupted, simply adoring. The instrument itself is designed really simply, and the only thing that dictates the tone height is the length of the wire, and your ability to play on it. If you are interested in something different, this might be something for you.
Psalteries are still quite popular, especially in last few years. They look very decorative and produce original tones all music enthusiasts always appreciate. The most popular shape is certainly triangular. They are mostly strung with plain steel music wire with a high tensile strength. Depending on the instrument's size, one to three different string gauges are used.
The beauty of handmade psalteries is in the sound they make. The sound is really clean and lovely. Of course, high quality instruments produce cleaner and more beautiful tones. Another reason for their popularity is their appearance. They look very decorative, and can find their place in any living room. Besides, it is so easy to learn to play, that it really is something everyone should try.
After some time, this plain wooden board became a wooden box, with sound holes, but strings were still quite simple, without stoppers. There were trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular and wing shaped psalteries at the time, and some shapes were more popular in different countries. For example, in northern Europe, they preferred triangular and wing shaped instruments, sometimes double strung.
It is presumed that some later instruments such as zither or harpsichord are just more sophisticated versions of this ancient instrument. Harpsichord is a larger version and looks quite similar to an old psaltery, but it has a keyboard mechanism for plucking the strings. All strings are open, without stoppers.
In some parts of Europe, this instrument is used even today, primarily in folk music. For example, very similar instrument is used in Finland, and they call it kantele. In Estonia, the instrument derived from the old psaltery is called kannel, and still rather popular. Russian gusli are also related to it, but some of these instruments are rather bowed than plucked.
Even in some Arabic countries they also have their own versions of a psaltry, this time triple strung. Theirs is played using finger plectra. There are some other variations, for example, dulcimer, and this one is played with special hammers. In India and China, they have their own variations, but based on the same principle. In any case, you can play anything on these instruments, and they still produce very interesting tones.
It really is simple to learn to play psalteries, and the tone they make is absolutely amazing. It remains in the air, tingling and ringing, it is clean and interrupted, simply adoring. The instrument itself is designed really simply, and the only thing that dictates the tone height is the length of the wire, and your ability to play on it. If you are interested in something different, this might be something for you.
Psalteries are still quite popular, especially in last few years. They look very decorative and produce original tones all music enthusiasts always appreciate. The most popular shape is certainly triangular. They are mostly strung with plain steel music wire with a high tensile strength. Depending on the instrument's size, one to three different string gauges are used.
The beauty of handmade psalteries is in the sound they make. The sound is really clean and lovely. Of course, high quality instruments produce cleaner and more beautiful tones. Another reason for their popularity is their appearance. They look very decorative, and can find their place in any living room. Besides, it is so easy to learn to play, that it really is something everyone should try.
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