Psalteries, or psalterions are ancient musical instruments, known and used for thousands of years. This simple but lovely instrument was mentioned in the Old Testament, three hundred years BC, but it was widely spread in all known civilizations of Europe and Asia at the time. Handmade psalteries were basically simple wooden boards, with gut strings. The instrument was played with fingers, or with plectrum.
Later on, psaltry got a hollow box with metal strings and sound holes. In different parts of old world, different shapes were popular. Trapezoidal psaltery with three or four strings was preferred in Southern Europe, but rectangular ones were also quite common. In Northern Europe, triangular and wing shaped ones were more popular, and some variations had double strings as well.
The instrument is quite similar to zither, and the later one probably is a psaltery version. The harpsichord is larger, and have a keyboard mechanism, but it is similarly designed. The basic principle is that all strings are open, and there are no stoppers there for producing specific tones.
In some countries, this lovely instrument is still in use, mainly in folk music. In Finland, they call it kantele, and in Estonia, they have their own version called kannel. Russian gusli are made using the same principle, but their version is bowed, not plucked. In any case, this is one of the very few instruments that remained practically the same for thousands of years.
Similar instruments can be found in different Arabic countries, in India, China and some other parts of Asia. There are different variations, double and triple strung, and most are played using finger plectra. Dulcimer is another variation, and this one's strings aren't plucked, but struck with small, special hammers. The experience of playing some of these interesting instruments is quite surprising, especially when it comes to the quality and volume of the tone.
The specialty of this musical instrument is the most amazing ringing sound it produces. The sound is clean and tingling, something that you can rarely hear today. It is really easy to play it, and if you would like to try something really different, maybe this is the right thing for you. Although it looks really simple, and consists of ordinary wires in different lengths, psaltery makes lovely tones and can be used in many different ways.
Today, triangular shaped psalteries are the most popular ones. They are still just very simple wooden boxes, strung with steel wires of different lengths, and, in case of larger instruments, of different gauges as well. Smaller ones mostly have only one string gauge, but still are able to produce very interesting and full tones. In this electronic music era, this tone is more than welcome refreshment.
Handmade psalteries are especially interesting. Some really are a work of art. If they are built properly, using appropriate types of wood and finishes, you will get really great fullness of tone that you will surely appreciate. These simple and interesting musical instruments are also very decorative. And will look amazingly good displayed in your living room, even if you have no interest in playing them.
Later on, psaltry got a hollow box with metal strings and sound holes. In different parts of old world, different shapes were popular. Trapezoidal psaltery with three or four strings was preferred in Southern Europe, but rectangular ones were also quite common. In Northern Europe, triangular and wing shaped ones were more popular, and some variations had double strings as well.
The instrument is quite similar to zither, and the later one probably is a psaltery version. The harpsichord is larger, and have a keyboard mechanism, but it is similarly designed. The basic principle is that all strings are open, and there are no stoppers there for producing specific tones.
In some countries, this lovely instrument is still in use, mainly in folk music. In Finland, they call it kantele, and in Estonia, they have their own version called kannel. Russian gusli are made using the same principle, but their version is bowed, not plucked. In any case, this is one of the very few instruments that remained practically the same for thousands of years.
Similar instruments can be found in different Arabic countries, in India, China and some other parts of Asia. There are different variations, double and triple strung, and most are played using finger plectra. Dulcimer is another variation, and this one's strings aren't plucked, but struck with small, special hammers. The experience of playing some of these interesting instruments is quite surprising, especially when it comes to the quality and volume of the tone.
The specialty of this musical instrument is the most amazing ringing sound it produces. The sound is clean and tingling, something that you can rarely hear today. It is really easy to play it, and if you would like to try something really different, maybe this is the right thing for you. Although it looks really simple, and consists of ordinary wires in different lengths, psaltery makes lovely tones and can be used in many different ways.
Today, triangular shaped psalteries are the most popular ones. They are still just very simple wooden boxes, strung with steel wires of different lengths, and, in case of larger instruments, of different gauges as well. Smaller ones mostly have only one string gauge, but still are able to produce very interesting and full tones. In this electronic music era, this tone is more than welcome refreshment.
Handmade psalteries are especially interesting. Some really are a work of art. If they are built properly, using appropriate types of wood and finishes, you will get really great fullness of tone that you will surely appreciate. These simple and interesting musical instruments are also very decorative. And will look amazingly good displayed in your living room, even if you have no interest in playing them.
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