Saturday, May 10, 2014

Find 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.

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.

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.

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.

Well, you don't have to be interested in playing psalteries to buy one. It looks really interesting, and can be used as a decorative element as well. If it is made of precious wood and beautifully shaped, you can find a nice place in your living room to put it there. In any case, when you see one, you'll find it hard to resist.




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