Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Beautiful Bowed Psaltery For Sale

By Eloise Hewitt


Psalteries can be found in almost all folk cultures, all around the world. They come in all shapes and sizes. They were usually plucked with the fingers or a plectrum. You will find them on numerous medieval paintings, but the first ones appeared long before that time. Today, you can find yourself a beautiful bowed psaltery for sale in numerous 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.

For all of you who never had a chance to learn how to play, this could be a great opportunity. This instrument is so easy to play that anyone can do it, extremely quickly. Specialized shops mostly offer different music sheets as well, guide books and all important info about their offer. Just choose a few simple songs and you will be able to play them in no time at all.

Psaltery looks quite similar to both zither and harp. The strings run the entire length of the instrument. It seems like the first ones were developed in the Middle East, at least a few centuries BC, and brought to Europe and to China during the Middle Ages. Back then, these lovely instruments were played in all given occasions. It was often played during psalms reading, for example, but any other occasion was great as well.

The first ones were probably just simple wooden boxes with gut strings, mostly rectangular. Triangular shapes were easy to make, and soon became popular. Later on, other forms were developed, and the most popular ones are definitely trapezoidal and wing-shaped ones, especially in northern parts of Europe. Ancient instruments were sized to be easily carried in the arms, and played with fingers or struck with two sticks.

Gut strings are now replaced with steel made ones, to improve the brightness and loudness of the sound. Many other instruments were based on psalteries, for example, the hammer dulcimer, harp, zither and other string instruments. Lately this charming, interesting and beautifully sounding musical instrument became very popular once again.

If you are interested in buying psalteries, you will find beautiful ones online, in specialized shops. Some are artistically decorated, some are simple or made of precious woods, and some are more modern, made of different materials. In any case, you will positively enjoy playing any of them, whatever shape you prefer. They all produce absolutely lovely sound you will certainly adore.

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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