Sunday, 15 June 2014

The Beautiful Tunes Of Psalteries

By Ina Hunt


Greece is recorded as the earliest community to own and use the psaltery. The original version was plucked using fingers as compared to the present day plucking using plectrums. Psalteries have evolved over the years with differences in designs depending on their society of origin. Notable variations were found in the medieval age and some communities in Europe which explains the differences in names and design specifics.

Religious scriptures record instances where this instrument was used in translating foreign words whose meaning was unknown. This information is recorded in the books of Psalms, Samuel, Kings, Chronicles and Daniel. The idea is to offer the pitch during pronunciation so that the kings or orators get the words right.

The general design for a psaltery consists of a sound board with a number of strings attached at an angle. The sound produced depends on the tuning. It comes in a small portable size which allows it to be used in many locations. The community of origin determines how and when it is used. The pitch of sound produced varies from one instrument to the other especially depending on size.

The medieval society had a central place for the psaltery. This was evident in their paintings and sculpture. They also were a common part of theatrical performances and manuscripts written in this era. They would be found in palaces and formed an integral part of entertainment for the king.

The 19th and 20th centuries have witnessed the birth of new design variations. The most common is the triangular shaped with a bow end where strings are attached. This has been popularized by commercialization but is yet to overshadow traditional instruments in different communities. This explains the existing variations in different regions.

The most popular design is the bowed psaltery which resembles the zither class of instruments. It is played using a bow with slight modifications from the original design that relied on fingers. The strings are chromatically arranged to produce standardized sound.

The modern triangular design ensures that each string extends a few centimeters more than the previous. This has allowed the chromatic design to be enhanced as well as factor in the element of sharps and flats in music. The origin determines other intricate features of the design. The violin bow has been popularized by commercialization.

The style of play depends on individual instrumentalists and the music they are performing. This allows for one note at a time play or a fitting melodic rhythm. It may be held with one hand and bowed with the other. The other option involves plucking in order to add tone to the tune.

The closeness of strings is a hindrance when strumming. The strings are arranged too close together. The other option in this case is plucking at the ends. A soundbox amplifies the sound aided by strategically perforated holes.

The psaltery may be customized with different colors provided the quality of sound is maintained. Professionals play with two bows so that they can achieve double stopping. The tightness of the bow is likely to affect the pitch and quality of sound produced. This is an incredible acoustic addition to any music.




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