Frequently Asked Questions About Bowed Psaltry Instruments
Subject: bowed psaltry instruction
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 10:37:25 -0500
Greetings Susan,
Glad to assist:
The Bowed Psaltry is a very easy instrument to learn...I was hoping to get one in soon to perform video samplers on...unfortunately, time is of the essence...
I do not have the background on this instrument as does David Marks would with Folkcraft. If you're serious about learning one of these, my suggestion would be to contact David at www.folkcraft.com...they also make these...he gave me a lesson on one of these back at the NAMM Show a couple of years back...they're fun and simple...
On another note, I checked out your Four Oaks Music School site...accolades to you for inspiring others to learn...looks like you have a great staff on board...
Mickey
Susan Knapp
Four Oaks Music
www.fouroaksmusic.com
I am a classically trained violinist who has recently been performing with
musicians who play hammered dulcimer, mountain dulcimer, and guitar. I love
the sound of the violin and dulcimers together. I am considering purchasing
a bowed psaltry, but know nothing about them, other than what they look
like, as I have researched on the internet. Can you give me some insight as
to how they are tuned, fingered, etc.? I read through all of your mountain
dulcimer lessons, and found them very easy to understand. Do you know a
source for online lessons for bowed psaltry? I would like to know more
about them before I make a purchase. I would appreciate your help. Thank
you!
Date: Wed, 08 Jan 2003 09:07:53 -0500
Subject: Re: Fwd: Bowed Psaltry Strings
What size strings do you use on a bowed psaltry?
Thank You,
Glen Daniel
Dear Glen:
Typically, people use the size .011 or .010. Also, the same size is used
for the whole instrument. I've added the link to the .011 size on our
storefront. While there, you can check out other sizes also.
Regards,
David
sales@folkcraft.com
Date: Mon, 20 May 2002 08:37:32 -0500
I am looking for some info in a psaltrey, I have just purchased one at an
auction and am looking for how to tune it, I can learn to play it if I know
how it is supposed to be tuned, any help with this would the appreciated.
Mitch McKinney
Greetings Mitch,
Glad to assist:
First, you may want to get some song sheets to place under the strings...additionally, they also have tuning sheets available which can also be placed under the strings. Our supplier: www.folkcraft.com
You can purchase tuning sheets, along with song sheets, from:
http://www.traditionalharps.com/ReesPsalterySongs.html
I would also recommend a video such as the one following:
http://www.melbay.com/product.asp?productid=95640VX&mode=search&q=psaltery&r=&s=
It's Easy to Play the Bowed Psaltery
by Jan Hagerman & John Hagerman
Product Number Format ISBN Price (US$)
95640VX Video 0786614242 $39.95
Featured on numerous television and cable programs, recording artists Jan and John Hagerman lead you from beginning through advanced psaltery playing techniques as well as how to care for and maintain your instrument. Covers how to hold your instrument and bow, basic bowing techniques, what to do if you don't read music, how to change a string, playing with two bows, playing with other instruments, and more. Free instructional booklet included.
Published by: http://www.unicornstrings.com/store6.htm
Here's another great resource:
http://www.sawdustdulcimerfest.com/bpinstruct.htm
Jean Schilling
The Bowed Psaltery Instruction Book
$10.95
The most popular BP instructional book with basic instruction and more than 75 songs including American, English, Scottish & Irish favorites, hymns, O'Carolan Tunes and Christmas carols. This 52-page book gives tips on holding and playing the BP, tuning and how to replace the strings. Songs include The Riddle Song, The Sidewalks of New York, Hatikvoh, Old Folks at Home, Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, Carolan's Cup, Londonderry Air and What a Friend.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gregg Schneeman
The Bowed Psaltery
Video $40
An instructional video teaching tuning, scales and slides, simple one, two and three bow tunes and improvisation. Tunes and techniques are taught from beginner to the advanced level. Songs include Beauty in Tears, GreenSleeves, Orange Rogue, Ashgrove and Devil's Dream.
Following is a diagram showing where each note is located; however, you'll still want to invest in a tuning sheet:
available from: http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/psaltery.htm
. -- top point
/ \
C - 16.5 mm / o \ 16.5 mm - C
C#- 38.0 mm / o o \ 50.0 mm - D
D#- 67.5 mm / o o \ 77.5 mm - E
/ o \ 101.5 mm - F
F#- 112.5 mm / o o \ 124.5 mm - G
G#- 134.5 mm / o o \ 145.0 mm - A
A#- 156.0 mm / o o \ 166.5 mm - B
/ o \ 187.5 mm - C
C#- 197.0 mm / o endpins o \ 208.5 mm - D
D#- 217.5 mm / o o \ 228.0 mm - E
/ o \ 247.5 mm - F
F#- 257.0 mm / o o \ 268.0 mm - G
G#- 278.0 mm / o o \ 287.0 mm - A
A#- 295.5 mm / o __ o \ 306.0 mm - B
/ / \ o \ 324.0 mm - C
/ ( hole ) \
/ \ __ / \
/ \
/ tuning pins \
/ o o o o o o o o o o o o o \ ------
-------- / o o o o o o o o o o o o \
_______ /_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _\ ____
^7/16" . :: ^1-1/16"
:--1-7/8"--::
: ::
:--2-3/32"--:
: :
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