Friday, October 18, 2013

Lessons On Playing The Bowed Psaltery

By Megan Landry


Incorporation of melodious instruments into the musical part of life is an amazing thing. Bowed psaltery is a good example. With its existence dating back in memorial, it is a tool that has a small similarity to the violin in different aspects. It comes in a triangular shape accompanied by a wooden bow for stroking in order to produce sound.

It has a wooden body with a number of strings running on it to the side which has a large base. These are the strings which are stroked using the bow to produce sound. One of the most amazing thing about this instrument is the quality of sound produced. The only drawback is that only a single key can be played at a time.

When it comes to learning, one starts with the basics. Holding it comfortably is part of the basics. The tip should be held to face away from the body. This provides room for the base to fully settle on the tummy. The hands have their use too. The left hand holds the part below the tip whereas the right arm is for holding the bow and striking the strings. Due to this, a sitting posture with legs crossed is one a person can play comfortably.

Once a person is comfortable, production of melody is a stage that follows. Here, the bow is moved across the strings within the spaces in between the pins from left to right. The movement should be maintained in these spaces and the striking should be consistent. Later on, this learner will be taught on how to use two bows at the same time.

Another thing an individual needs to know is that of tuning. Although this is not a regular thing, the leaner has to know how to do it in case the device goes out of tune. Provision of a tuning wrench assists in this. The reflective idea of tuning is that of care extended towards the instrument. What the student needs to constantly do is tweaking in a vigilant manner that will not shatter the strings.

All these ideas can be taught in a classroom or online module. The later seems to be quite valuable since the lessons are posted by different experts of this instrument. Where one has not grasped an idea, rewinding or even accessing those of a different person is a true reality for them.

For the private instructors, they offer these lessons in a classroom like structure with many people. The learner has to ensure that this person is well qualified and experienced in playing this instrument. This calls for use of the right channel in selecting the person who is well qualified.

Once someone knows how to play the bowed psaltery, he or she will not stop playing. This is due to the reason of it being exceptional in sound quality. New learners are encouraged to practice as many times as possible so as to perfect and get new ideas on their own.




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