THE PSALTERY

The word psaltery is derived from the Greek term “Psalterion” which means a collection of Psalms or hymns. The Psaltery is a musical instrument that is basically a closed wooden box with a series of metallic or gut strings that form a scale. Psalteries are found  in one form or another, in every major folk culture in the world dating back thousands of years. The earliest reference to the psaltery is attributed to King David (1000) B.C. Known references to the existence of psalteries are found in Persia, Ancient Greece, Spain, Italy, France, and Ireland. Some were plucked, some were struck and some were bowed. They existed in many shapes and sizes. The bowed psaltery may date back to about 300 years ago in Ireland but it was very different from the predecessors.

Similar to the psaltery but played quite differently is the hammer dulcimer which as the name suggests is played by striking the strings with small wooden hammers.

The contemporary bowed Psaltery is in the shape of an isosceles triangle with hitch pins on both sides and tuned to the chromatic scale (like a piano with both natural notes and sharps and flats.)  The contemporary bowed psaltery may have been developed in the late 1940’s in Germany.

PLAYING THE BOWED PSALTERY

Bowing the strings between the pins produces the Psalteries remarkable acoustic sound.

The longest string is middle C as on the piano. Following the evenly spaced strings, (tones) the psaltery has a range of two and a half octaves. For ease of identifying these notes, the C’s are red, and the F’s are blue, similar coloring as the harp strings. The opposite side, (semitones) are the same layout as the black keys on the piano, and therefore is a chromatic instrument, allowing one to play music in any key, remarkable for such a compact acoustical instrument.

My original double bow provided, allows one to play a single note by tipping the bow slight to one side, or two note cords holding the bow evenly across the strings, producing beautiful harmonies.

Bowing technique comes naturally, a lighter bowing action on the lower and higher notes, and a firmer action on the middle range notes.

Whether short staccato bowing, or longer bowing, lifting the bow allows the strings to vibrate, producing the clearest of tones, unique to this instrument.

The bow should be held opposite to the tapered end of the bow, holding across the double bow. The bow should be held at right angle to the strings, while lowering the bow slightly.

The Psaltery is one of the easier instruments to play. Select a tune you are familiar with, playing one note at a time, you will soon find yourself getting acquainted with the note layout. Remember, playing in the key of C, that is often starting or ending on a C note, will be the easiest, with fewer sharps or flats.