Thursday 24 April 2014

Tips In Building A Bowed Psaltery

By Eloise Hewitt


This process is actually considered less involving if compared with other stringed musical instruments. A bowed psaltery is actually triangular in shape and made in such a way to produce diatonic, flat along with sharp notes. Its wooden box allows individual playing of the strings mounted to it. These instruments also come in different models although approximately in an identical structure.

Developing this musical instrument will begin from the framework. Bits for the framework are generally sliced from plywood into triangular form as well as the edges trimmed using a band saw. The support frames are generally glued jointly right up until they hold up correctly. In order to get desired pressure within the triangle edges, a jig that may be padded using wax papers need to be employed. A clamp can also be used to help fit these frames tightly in place.

A small size hole is then drilled, just in the center of one side of the plywood. This ought to be at the back of the instrument and can either be left round in shape or made to any other desirable shape. On the triangular top, a pencil line is drawn to mark the straight lines meant for the strings. Pins are used to mark the clear cut locations and to differentiate the points for the notes that they correspond to.

Holes for both the hitch and tuning pins are drilled. Those for the hitch pins should be made vertically at the front edge, while for the turning pins should come at the back. What then follows is a finish to the instrument. It is better to note that the sound comes out perfect if the finish is harder and brittle.

The bridge is then built using a part of hardwood which should be grooved to the central area of the instrument. This particular bridge need to be in such a place so that it offers adequate space for the shortest string to proper vibrate and wind. The pins should have roughed up tops allow them offer the strings enough grip.

Stringing your instrument is the next phase wherein every string is actually threaded via every hitch pin. The strings should then be pulled over the pins then later laid on top of the bridge. These are subsequently looped on top of the tuning pins along with tightened to offer a proper grip.

An electronic tuner is then used to tune the instruments to enable the notes function as needed. They should also be wind counter clockwise around these pins. The natural notes are meant to run upwards on the right side as the sharps and flats run on the left side.

This instrument is actually played out by using a bow which often is merely built from hardwood, with some opening on both ends and several fishing lines. A double knot is though needed to be tied in one hole. This specific bow obtains its final look after the fishing line is wrapped around it. A good wrap of the fishing line around the wood is what is required, though with some space left just around the centre of the wood.




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