Beautiful Bowed Psaltery For Sale

By Eloise Hewitt


Psalteries are probably the oldest musical instruments documented in ancient pictures and sculptures, and they come in all shapes. The original one was plucked with the fingers, or using a plectrum. But, this lovely instrument can also be bowed, although the first documents about this form of playing can be found in more recent history. In any case, if you would like to find one lovely bowed psaltery for sale, check some specialized online shops.

Bowed psalteries produce unusual sound that fits perfectly in any medieval ensemble. If played using fingers or a plectrum, this interesting instrument produces lovely tingling tones, very pleasant to ears. Bowed sounds are different, they float in midair on the most beautiful way, and you just have to hear these sounds to understand why people appreciate them so much.

It is really easy to play this lovely instrument, and anybody can learn this very quickly. If you have always wanted to learn how to play music, this might be a perfect opportunity for you. You will surely learn a few simpler melodies the very first day. Music sheets are mostly available in any music shops that sells psalteries, and you can also find useful how-to books there.

If you have never seen a psaltery, it is easiest to describe it as quite similar to a zither, or a small harp. The strings run the entire length of the psaltery. It seems like the first similar instruments were made long before our time, somewhere in the Middle East. They were first introduced in Europe, as well as in China, somewhere in the Middle Ages. These lovely instruments were played in all possible occasions back then.

At first, they were just rectangular wooden boxes, with gut strings on. Triangular shape soon became popular as well, but in Europe, they mostly preferred trapezoidal and wing shaped ones. Different parts of Europe have their own favorite shapes, and wing shaped psalteries were mostly played in Northern Europe. At first, some used two sticks to strike the strings, and some plucked them with fingers or a plectrum.

Of course, it's hard to find ones with gut strings today. They were replaced with steel strings. Steel strings make it more loud and the sound is brighter this way. Numerous well-known musical instruments are based on this ancient one, for example the hammer dulcimer. Recently, it became popular again, thanks to its wonderful sound.

Psalteries come in many different sizes and shapes. Different materials are used to make them even more attractive. For example, they are often made of precious woods, and sometimes are artistically decorated. They look very nice, but their sound is absolutely surprising. You have to hear it, by all means, and you will understand why it is so popular even today.

Even if you aren't so interested in playing, lovely psaltery can have another great purpose in your beautiful home. They all look really decorative, especially those made of precious woods. It will surely complete your home decoration on the most beautiful way. Psalteries are really charming addition to any home, and, who knows, maybe you decide to try playing one if you have an opportunity.




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