The psaltery is a very known instrument during the olden times. It is a string instrument that is actually from the same family as the zither or the harp with the only difference is that one would be using a bow to play it like a violin. If one is curious as to how psalteries originated, here is a brief background of this very influential instrument.
Now just to give people an idea of what this instrument looks like, it is actually a triangle shaped box with a few strings on it and a little bit of pins. In the modern setting, people would make use of bows to make music just like one would do with a violin. Now even if this is the normal way to play it, a lot of people would still use their hands and play it like a harp or guitar.
Now even though the original psaltery was created quite a very long time ago, the bowed version was only invented during the twentieth century. The earliest version was made sometime during the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar from the Bible wherein his servants would use it in order to entertain him. So as one can see, this instrument had a very rich history which began even during the Bible times.
This instrument could also be found in Medieval literature alongside some other similar instruments namely the harp and the zither. Unlike the one from the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Medieval versions had sound holes in the middle which made the sound more solid and nicer to the ears. This instrument was also used in order to appease the kings and other royalty.
It was only during the nineteen twenties that the bowed version was introduced into the modern world. It was created by a German and a patent of it was issued to the German company Clemens Neuber Company which meant that only they could reproduce the instrument during that time. During this time, they were known as violin zithers and it was also during this time that they began to get really popular.
In fact, after the invention of the bowed psaltery, there were many instruments similar to this one that came out. American instrument makers tried to make something similar called the Ukelin which was usually used during Hawaiian festivals and ceremonies. Of course the Hawaiians came up with their own version which differed from that of the American one.
It was only after World War II that this instrument became very popular around the world. This became especially popular in Germany because a primary school teacher known as Walter Mittman used it for his class during that time. He used it for education purposes so that children could learn how to play it and appreciate folk music.
These days, many people still play this instrument as a hobby. Now there have been many innovative ways that were created in order for people to play them. From the traditional hand plucking and strumming method, people were then able to play them with bows and nowadays there are many types of bows that one can play this instrument with.
Now just to give people an idea of what this instrument looks like, it is actually a triangle shaped box with a few strings on it and a little bit of pins. In the modern setting, people would make use of bows to make music just like one would do with a violin. Now even if this is the normal way to play it, a lot of people would still use their hands and play it like a harp or guitar.
Now even though the original psaltery was created quite a very long time ago, the bowed version was only invented during the twentieth century. The earliest version was made sometime during the reign of king Nebuchadnezzar from the Bible wherein his servants would use it in order to entertain him. So as one can see, this instrument had a very rich history which began even during the Bible times.
This instrument could also be found in Medieval literature alongside some other similar instruments namely the harp and the zither. Unlike the one from the time of King Nebuchadnezzar, the Medieval versions had sound holes in the middle which made the sound more solid and nicer to the ears. This instrument was also used in order to appease the kings and other royalty.
It was only during the nineteen twenties that the bowed version was introduced into the modern world. It was created by a German and a patent of it was issued to the German company Clemens Neuber Company which meant that only they could reproduce the instrument during that time. During this time, they were known as violin zithers and it was also during this time that they began to get really popular.
In fact, after the invention of the bowed psaltery, there were many instruments similar to this one that came out. American instrument makers tried to make something similar called the Ukelin which was usually used during Hawaiian festivals and ceremonies. Of course the Hawaiians came up with their own version which differed from that of the American one.
It was only after World War II that this instrument became very popular around the world. This became especially popular in Germany because a primary school teacher known as Walter Mittman used it for his class during that time. He used it for education purposes so that children could learn how to play it and appreciate folk music.
These days, many people still play this instrument as a hobby. Now there have been many innovative ways that were created in order for people to play them. From the traditional hand plucking and strumming method, people were then able to play them with bows and nowadays there are many types of bows that one can play this instrument with.
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