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.
Communities in the bible are listed as having used the instrument to aid in pronunciation. It was useful in assisting loyalty and orators to get the right pronunciation especially when they encountered new words. Getting the right pitch gave words their meaning. This information is documented in the books of Chronicles, Samuel, Kings, Psalms and Daniel.
The common features that define a psaltery include the sound board. There are strings attached to the board at a defined angle to facilitate sound production. The quality of sound is highly dependent on how well these strings are tuned. It was used for different purposes in each community. The size also determines the quality of sound produced. These are some of the features that distinguish different instruments from one community to the other.
The medieval age placed greater importance on the psaltery especially as part of palace entertainment. This is evident from the way the instrument remains a common place in sculptures and paintings. Manuscripts for theatric actions also preserved a special place for the instrument. This explains its popularity at the era.
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 bowed psaltery is also referred to as the zither. It requires a bow to play and is a slight modification of original design. The strings are arranged in chords to allow a player to actualize any melody. The other hand strums the strings in order to accompany the bowing effect.
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 approach adopted when playing the instrument depends on individual players. Different genres of music and styles of play require a unique approach. The size allows the psaltery to be held by hands when being played. Strumming with the fingers facilitates a different tone.
Modern designs have their strings close together in a way that hinders strumming. Such closeness makes individual plucking a bit of a challenge unless the player decides to do it at the ends. Sound is amplified by the sound box which has strategically perforated holes for this purpose.
Psaltery owners get their instruments personalized through coloring and addition of graphics on the body. This does not compromise the quality of sound produced. There are experts who have mastered bowing to the point of using two bows. The pair facilitates double stopping. The properties of a bow, including string quality and tightness, affect the sound produced. This is an incredible acoustic addition to any music.
Communities in the bible are listed as having used the instrument to aid in pronunciation. It was useful in assisting loyalty and orators to get the right pronunciation especially when they encountered new words. Getting the right pitch gave words their meaning. This information is documented in the books of Chronicles, Samuel, Kings, Psalms and Daniel.
The common features that define a psaltery include the sound board. There are strings attached to the board at a defined angle to facilitate sound production. The quality of sound is highly dependent on how well these strings are tuned. It was used for different purposes in each community. The size also determines the quality of sound produced. These are some of the features that distinguish different instruments from one community to the other.
The medieval age placed greater importance on the psaltery especially as part of palace entertainment. This is evident from the way the instrument remains a common place in sculptures and paintings. Manuscripts for theatric actions also preserved a special place for the instrument. This explains its popularity at the era.
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 bowed psaltery is also referred to as the zither. It requires a bow to play and is a slight modification of original design. The strings are arranged in chords to allow a player to actualize any melody. The other hand strums the strings in order to accompany the bowing effect.
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 approach adopted when playing the instrument depends on individual players. Different genres of music and styles of play require a unique approach. The size allows the psaltery to be held by hands when being played. Strumming with the fingers facilitates a different tone.
Modern designs have their strings close together in a way that hinders strumming. Such closeness makes individual plucking a bit of a challenge unless the player decides to do it at the ends. Sound is amplified by the sound box which has strategically perforated holes for this purpose.
Psaltery owners get their instruments personalized through coloring and addition of graphics on the body. This does not compromise the quality of sound produced. There are experts who have mastered bowing to the point of using two bows. The pair facilitates double stopping. The properties of a bow, including string quality and tightness, affect the sound produced. This is an incredible acoustic addition to any music.
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