The stringed instruments heard in modern music have ancient origins. Although they assumed a modern appearance during the 18th century, most were the offspring of many cultures and eras. The oldest versions produced sounds by hammering or plucking on strings, and the addition of bowing increased that capability. The bowed psaltery emerged recently, and possesses an ethereal, unique tonality.
The sounds they produce often remind listeners of harp music, with the added tonality of a dulcimer and violin. Some Biblical passages mention the instrument by name, but that was a result of translators seeking to popularize ancient texts, not a verbatim description. It is true that psalteries originated partially in the Middle East, but they are now grouped with other members of he chordophone family.
This includes nearly any musical device that has strings amplified by a resonator. They have become part of modern culture as expressed through composition, and define the sound that modern orchestras produce. Many are electronically amplified today, and all possess chromatic capabilities. The psaltery-like instruments favored by Renaissance-era musicians did not, and their popularity waned.
They did not disappear altogether, but evolved into different forms. Their musical DNA can be found in hammered dulcimers and other progeny, including harpsichords with keyboards and plucked strings, later to become the modern piano. Although adding a keyboard produced obvious advantages of expression, people today still find the simple, original tones appealing.
The currently available sizes, shapes, and playing techniques are a fairly recent phenomenon. They are popularly believed to have originated in Germany around 120 years ago, but there are no actual recorded dates. Modern versions use a horsehair bow, which makes playing simpler, while adding extra dimensions to sound production. The music might sound ancient, but the instrumental design is not.
The current shape resembles a long, narrow isosceles triangle. There are two basic sizes, including the smaller soprano and the deeper sounding alto. Soprano psalteries have a two-octave range, and a somewhat brighter tonality than the alto, which has a chromatic extension on the lower tones. Both are less than two feet long, and weigh little more than 2.5 pounds, making them both personal and portable.
Learning to play a violin or cello well can take years of training and practice, unlike a psaltery. Pegs and strings on the left side represent black piano keys, while the right side corresponds to the white. There are well-defined spaces for bowing, each one representing a particular note. For those with limited musical reading ability, knowledge of standard notation is not necessary.
When the bow is placed between pegs and slowly drawn across tuned strings, the results can be lovely. Musicians can play from either side, not just from the highest point of the strings. There is not a specifically wrong way to hold one, and many players simply lay them on a table, or cradle them in their laps. There is a growing body of sheet music and psaltery sound-bites on line for those interested in honing their skills.
The sounds they produce often remind listeners of harp music, with the added tonality of a dulcimer and violin. Some Biblical passages mention the instrument by name, but that was a result of translators seeking to popularize ancient texts, not a verbatim description. It is true that psalteries originated partially in the Middle East, but they are now grouped with other members of he chordophone family.
This includes nearly any musical device that has strings amplified by a resonator. They have become part of modern culture as expressed through composition, and define the sound that modern orchestras produce. Many are electronically amplified today, and all possess chromatic capabilities. The psaltery-like instruments favored by Renaissance-era musicians did not, and their popularity waned.
They did not disappear altogether, but evolved into different forms. Their musical DNA can be found in hammered dulcimers and other progeny, including harpsichords with keyboards and plucked strings, later to become the modern piano. Although adding a keyboard produced obvious advantages of expression, people today still find the simple, original tones appealing.
The currently available sizes, shapes, and playing techniques are a fairly recent phenomenon. They are popularly believed to have originated in Germany around 120 years ago, but there are no actual recorded dates. Modern versions use a horsehair bow, which makes playing simpler, while adding extra dimensions to sound production. The music might sound ancient, but the instrumental design is not.
The current shape resembles a long, narrow isosceles triangle. There are two basic sizes, including the smaller soprano and the deeper sounding alto. Soprano psalteries have a two-octave range, and a somewhat brighter tonality than the alto, which has a chromatic extension on the lower tones. Both are less than two feet long, and weigh little more than 2.5 pounds, making them both personal and portable.
Learning to play a violin or cello well can take years of training and practice, unlike a psaltery. Pegs and strings on the left side represent black piano keys, while the right side corresponds to the white. There are well-defined spaces for bowing, each one representing a particular note. For those with limited musical reading ability, knowledge of standard notation is not necessary.
When the bow is placed between pegs and slowly drawn across tuned strings, the results can be lovely. Musicians can play from either side, not just from the highest point of the strings. There is not a specifically wrong way to hold one, and many players simply lay them on a table, or cradle them in their laps. There is a growing body of sheet music and psaltery sound-bites on line for those interested in honing their skills.
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