"Ever seen The Italian Job? Get yer skates on, mate! Just do it...other tricks are to plan your bowing so the run is all on the same movement, or to do it as a slow twice-as-fast (ie quarter note triplets become a slow eighth note run). I've…"
the all bowed psaltery network
May Song of the Month
Members who build bowed psalteries for sale
Loon Song Psalteries-Charlie Marshall
http://www.loonsongpsalteries.com/
New Tradition Dulcimers- Dan Daniels
http://www.newtraditionsdulcimers.com/index.html
Psalteries by Dave- Dave Lucas
Jon Williams Psalteries
(386) 853-0944
Black River Strings - Walter Spencer
http://www.blackriverstrings.com
Westman Instruments - Tish & Greg Westman
http://www.westmaninstruments.com
Ringing Strings - Rick Long
http://ringingstrings.com
Michael J King Instrumetns - Diatonic Psalteries
http://www.michaeljking.com/psalterymaking.htm
Inspired Instruments – Carol and Joe Esch
http://www.windridgefarm.us/bowedpsaltery.htm
James Jones Instruments
http://www.jamesjonesinstruments.com/bowedpsaltery/bowedpsaltery.html
Omega Strings – Richard Spencer
http://www.omegastrings.com/
Master Works Bowed Psalteries - Russell Cook
http://www.woodnstrings.com/products/mwbp.html
Members that teach Bowed Psaltery
Dona Benkert -
Illinois
Lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Phone: 773.728.6000
& Folk-Lore Center, Warrenville, IL
Phone: 630.393.1247
http://www.folk-lorecenter.com/
Tish Westman - West Virginia
Lessons at Tamarack, Beckley, WV. Wednesday workshops also available for individual classes and to teach at festivals.
Sunday "Jam" 3:30 to 6:00. All instruments welcome, play mostly Old Time, Celtic & Gospel Music, not opposed to trying any tune called, once did a rap on Bowed Psalteries.
1-304-575-0998
tishwestman@yahoo.com
www.westmaninstruments.com
Rick Long - Tennessee
Lessons at Rick's home/workshop in Clinton, 30 mins N of Knoxville
(865) 660-4026
http://www.ringingstrings.com/lessons.html
Karla Armstrong - Pennsylvania
Karla plays a variety of instruments and does workshops as well. Please visit her web site for additional information or contact her via the web site or the information below.
(717) 632-8099
karlaarms@upontheharp.com
http://upontheharp.com
Carol Esch - Kentucky
Lessons in Carol's home/workshop south of Lexington.
606-676-0128
esch@qx.net
http://www.windridgefarm.us/bowedpsaltery.htm
Honey Smith Walls - Florida
e-mail Honey for more info honey@offthewalls.us
Melbourne, FL
http://www.offthewalls.us/Psaltery.htm
Visit Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer
Illinois
Lessons at Old Town School of Folk Music, Chicago, IL
Phone: 773.728.6000
& Folk-Lore Center, Warrenville, IL
Phone: 630.393.1247
http://www.folk-lorecenter.com/
Tish Westman - West Virginia
Lessons at Tamarack, Beckley, WV. Wednesday workshops also available for individual classes and to teach at festivals.
Sunday "Jam" 3:30 to 6:00. All instruments welcome, play mostly Old Time, Celtic & Gospel Music, not opposed to trying any tune called, once did a rap on Bowed Psalteries.
1-304-575-0998
tishwestman@yahoo.com
www.westmaninstruments.com
Rick Long - Tennessee
Lessons at Rick's home/workshop in Clinton, 30 mins N of Knoxville
(865) 660-4026
http://www.ringingstrings.com/lessons.html
Karla Armstrong - Pennsylvania
Karla plays a variety of instruments and does workshops as well. Please visit her web site for additional information or contact her via the web site or the information below.
(717) 632-8099
karlaarms@upontheharp.com
http://upontheharp.com
Carol Esch - Kentucky
Lessons in Carol's home/workshop south of Lexington.
606-676-0128
esch@qx.net
http://www.windridgefarm.us/bowedpsaltery.htm
Honey Smith Walls - Florida
e-mail Honey for more info honey@offthewalls.us
Melbourne, FL
http://www.offthewalls.us/Psaltery.htm
Visit Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer
Please sign up on the bowed psaltery players list
Tish's list is a valuable resource when searching for other players. http://www.westmaninstruments.com/Bowed_Psaltery_List.html
If you are already on Tish's list, why don't you stop in and update your info? While your there take a look to see if there are new players in your area. Who knows, you might get together and make a recording.
If you are already on Tish's list, why don't you stop in and update your info? While your there take a look to see if there are new players in your area. Who knows, you might get together and make a recording.
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Welcome to Psaltery Strings
WELCOME!
Psaltery Strings is a work in progress. Our goal is to help grow the Bowed Psaltery Community by providing as much bowed psaltery information as possible in one location. Please feel free to join us whether you own a bowed psaltery or not.
Latest Activity
Lynne Fearman(LynneFearman.com) commented on Donna Malus's blog post A Journey of a Thousand (maybe a million) Steps"My brother was the pied~piper of psaltries out here on the west coast. He sold more psaltries than anyone. His method to get this instrument into people's hands and get them interested was to hand his psaltry to a child with an adult. He would…"
Lynne Fearman(LynneFearman.com) commented on Donna Malus's video
Bowed Psaltery
"Hi Donna!
Gregg Schneeman wants everyone to know that he will be at the Down Home Bowed Psaltery Festival in Alabama.
He's looking foreword to meeting everyone there. His only problem is that he gets into Birmingham at 5:10, June 4th and wishes…"
Tim Smith replied to Robert Kurland's discussion cheap, improvised stand"Seems like another interesting approach. Personally, I don't trust that kind of stand to support a guitar, but if it works..."
Philippa Anne Reed posted an event
Summer Open Day at The Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary at The Harry Edwards Healing Sanctuary, Burrows Lea, Shere, Surrey GU5 9QG
July 21, 2012 from 10:30am to 4pm
It's that time of year again and I'm making another appearance at the beautiful Sanctuary in Shere (a registered healing charity), playing my bowed psaltery, on Saturday 21st July. The event runs from 10.30am to 4pm and it's free entry. You'll find me in the garden marquee ;-) I'll be playing songs from my forthcoming album, as well as a few other ditties - it's always a lovely event in a gorgeous setting, so if you're in the area, drop on by! Philippa Anne Reed.See More
Robert Kurland posted a discussioncheap, improvised stand
Hello all--I've been poring over various stands for the bowed psaltery (my arm gets tired holding it, and eventually I want to use two bows), and they all seemed sort of pricey (for this retiree) and cumbersome. I've found a solution that seems to work (at least for now or until I get more proficient): "Fender" guitar stand 099-1809-000, which is $15.20 at Amazon.com and $18.95 at our local music store which I place on a chair opposite me--right height, and it seems to be stable.…See More
Janet Thompson posted a status"Hello! and Thank you. Nice to find somewhere that people aren't going to say, your learning to play What???"
Jeremy Main commented on Jon Timlin's photo
Four Psalteries
"Then again, there's the old one about God and the snakes
Adam and Eve weren't the only ones upset by the expulsion from Eden, all the animals were also sent forth and told to multiply. So forth thy went, and God checked round all the…"
Jeremy Main replied to Jeremy Main's discussion Bowing techniques"Some time next month, hopefully.
Part of it is that I think we can do more with the mini violin bows used in Europe than the shaped bows in the US - the violin grip allows fine weight adjustment by adjusting the pressure from the rear fingers on the…"
geo commented on geo's status"I have been practising entirely on my own given what little I have been given and I am pleased to share that my skill has improved!"
Donna Malus commented on geo's status"It looks complicated to play, but in the video they talk about how easy it is. What do you think? How easy compared to the bowed psaltery? Any videos of you playing? I would love to see more. I'm sure there are more vids on…"
geo commented on geo's status"It is my sincere wish to be able to bring thus beauty to north American musical culture!!!!!!!!"
Donna Malus replied to Jeremy Main's discussion Bowing techniques"any chance of getting some audio of these sounds? "
Donna Malus commented on Jon Timlin's photoFour Psalteries
"LOL, I haven't thought of that movie for years....Gremlins....that would certainly be a quicker and easier way to build psalteries, but they won't like bright light!"
Jeremy Main posted a discussionBowing techniques
I've occasionally referred to playing against hurdy gurdies (HGs), and that raises the question of technique. But in addition to those violin methods (and for pizzicato, I'd urge you to play away from the hitch pins, to preserve the rosining), I also use a driven bow method when playing with hurdies. They have a number of tricks, of which the most prominent is a chien, a dog-bridge, which is mounted unstably on…See More
Events
June 8
Friday
June 9
Saturday
June 15
Friday
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Coshocton Dulcimer Days
June 15, 2012 at 1pm to June 17, 2012 at 5pm – Historic Roscoe VIllage
0 Comments 0 Likes
July 19
Thursday
Forum
Triplets
Started by Steve in How can I ..... ?. Last reply by Jeremy Main 11 hours ago. 2 Replies 0 Likes
I went to a penny whistle class today at the Equinox festival put on by the California Traditional Music Society in Northridge. I bombed out by halfway through the class, but before I slunk off the instructor was showing how to do triplets, those…Continue
cheap, improvised stand
Started by Robert Kurland in How can I ..... ?. Last reply by Tim Smith on Wednesday. 1 Reply 0 Likes
Hello all--I've been poring over various stands for the bowed psaltery (my arm gets tired holding it, and eventually I want to use two bows), and they all seemed sort of pricey (for this retiree) and cumbersome. I've found a solution that seems…Continue
Bowing techniques
Started by Jeremy Main in The Bow. Last reply by Jeremy Main on Tuesday. 2 Replies 0 Likes
I've occasionally referred to playing against hurdy gurdies (HGs), and that raises the question of technique. But in addition to those violin methods (and for…Continue
Bowed Psaltery for sale at a reduced price
Started by Gene Griner in For sale May 20. 0 Replies 0 Likes
Master Works Bowed Psaltery everything in the picture only$150.00 price includes UPS shipping in the USA(See the Attachments). Email me off the list at hgriner@bellsouth.net Continue
Shoulder holster
Started by Jeremy Main in Wood, strings, pins and bows. Last reply by Jeremy Main May 19. 2 Replies 0 Likes
I'm thinking of playing my BP in processional at Chester in July, between two pieces on knee harp - plenty of HGs and English pipes around. The question is, has anyone ever designed a side sling for when I'm not using it? As far as the harp's…Continue
Sheet Music for May 2012 - Minuet in G
Started by Donna Malus in Sheet Music of the Month. Last reply by Celeste Howard Ray May 15. 1 Reply 0 Likes
May's song is "Minutet in G" but many of you will remember the song from the 60's as "Lover's Concerto". I liked it then and I like it now! This is the arrangement I did for the Bowed Psaltery Symphony in March this year. It's not particularly hard,…Continue
Tags: zither, salterio, ad, arco, streichpsalter
New Player Questions
Started by Bethany in How can I ..... ?. Last reply by Patricia D. Cuthriell May 14. 10 Replies 0 Likes
Hi y'all, I was handed a psaltery yesterday and told to have fun. Mom bought me one because I tend to play with weird instruments. I played piano when I was younger, then oboe for 4 years (and percussion during marching season, then fell out of the…Continue
what wood did you choose for your psaltery and why
Started by Jan Campbell in Wood, strings, pins and bows. Last reply by robert schuler May 14. 15 Replies 0 Likes
I like to find sound bytes of different woods available for psalteries. It's gets a little tough sometimes, so I'm asking; what is your top pick for body and for the top and why. Did you have a specific goal in mind when you made your selection? …Continue
Note Position Markers
Started by Rick Long in Wood, strings, pins and bows. Last reply by Jon Timlin May 13. 28 Replies 0 Likes
I'm in a discussion with a customer that is ordering two custom psalteries. One of his requests is for me to change the notes that I mark with dots. I have always marked the C's on the chromatic psalteries with a single dot. I recently started…Continue
Beautiful new Rick Long Tenor bowed psaltry
Started by Pat Boardman in General BP Forum May 13. 0 Replies 2 Likes
I just received my new D Tenor from Rick Long. It joins my D soprano. What a lovely addition to my musical instruments. He is such a wonderful builder as well as a wonderful person. This new instrument is quilted maple and cherry - oh so beautiful.…Continue
Photos
Blog Posts
Welcome reply
Posted by Laura on April 19, 2012 at 9:29pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Thanks for this opportunity. I hope & plan to learn lots from all of you.
D.I.Y recording with the bowed psaltery!
Posted by Philippa Anne Reed on April 10, 2012 at 10:22am 7 Comments 1 Like
…So, it’s just been me, in my room, tinkering away with bowed psaltery and my Macbook Pro recording what I hope will be my first solo album 'Joseph's Daughter'. Too much fun!!!
The technology is so intelligent nowadays that it does most of the tricky bits for you (unlike Cubase) and I’m loving the swiftness and ease of the process.
I’m still feeling my way of course, and experimenting with getting the kind of sounds I want on the BP, but so far, I’ve recorded ‘The Hour of…
Continue David Munrow - early music
Posted by Philippa Anne Reed on April 10, 2012 at 9:46am 0 Comments 0 Likes
I just thought I'd share this video of David Munrow and the Early Music Consort of London. I have one of his compilations and it's truly fantastic. There's even a psaltery featured (though plucked of course). Anyone that likes medieval or Renaissance music - David Munrow is the guy to check out. Sadly he passed away in the 1970's but his legend lives on...a true character! …
Continue
The Instrument of Ten Strings - the BATTLEHARP a.k.a. Oak Lyre.
Posted by Terry Butler on March 14, 2012 at 8:30am 0 Comments 0 Likes
Psalm 144:9 KJV says: " I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee." I had the psaltery and now I have the instrument of 10 strings too. How cool is that! I bought mine on ebay - finding it under the "psaltery" search. I found…
Bowed Psaltery Cousin?
Posted by Rick Long on January 30, 2012 at 10:30am 3 Comments 0 Likes
The other day, a friend of mine pulled a small instrument out of a bag and asked if I had ever seen one. This is what he had -
I about fell on the floor, I thought it was the oldest bowed psaltery I had ever seen, the missing link! No kind of markings, other than the numbers and note names along the…
Continue Mini bows
Posted by Terry Butler on January 18, 2012 at 10:27pm 5 Comments 1 Like
I find myself double bowing more and more and finally got to thinking that shorter bows might make double bowing on fast songs easier. Sometimes the two bows would want to tangle a bit. So, I asked Rick Long if he'd make me 2 - 11" bows with horsehair and tension sliders. For my small hands they work GREAT and I absolutely LOVE them but Rick said when he tried them his hands cramped up quite quickly. Anyway, last week I had him make me a…
Continue Christmas message to everyone
Posted by Philippa Anne Reed on December 12, 2011 at 8:27am 4 Comments 0 Likes
Hi, I'd like to wish everyone on Psaltery Strings and very peaceful Christmas and Happy and healthy - and music-filled - New Year!
I've just played the psaltery at another of Tim Wheater's 'Sounds of Harmony' concert, which rounded off the year nicely. I learnt a lot about the sacred Solfeggio scales and the healing properties of music - playing it and sharing it with others. It was also another opportunity to introduce the BP to new folks, who, as ever, were curious and asked lots…
Continue What is this Cove Lake deal all about?
Posted by Rick Long on November 22, 2011 at 7:00pm 1 Comment 4 Likes
This past weekend I hosted an invitational bowed psaltery gathering here in East Tennessee at Cove Lake State Park. I had a couple of motives for doing this and the way it was done.
I have long thought I would like to see another bowed psaltery gathering, there too few right now. I only know of The Lucas's Down Home Psaltery Festival and the Westman's Bowed Psaltery Symphony. One of my motives was to invite several folks I know, who are as keen on the bowed psaltery as I am, to see…
Continue PLANS FOR D TENOR OR SMALLER BOWED PSALTERY
Posted by BRUCE CAMLIN on October 23, 2011 at 2:39pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Hi,
I am new to this hobby. I have a Musicmakers Bowed Psaltery which I made from their kit. However, I would like to find plans for a D Tenor or smaller psaltery that I can scratch build. Any suggestiosn? Bruce Camlin
Volume Question.
Posted by Terry Butler on October 20, 2011 at 9:17pm 2 Comments 0 Likes
I play psaltery with a group of dulcimer players. In practice I hear fine but in some of the nursing homes the acoustics are terrible. If I get between the violins and a louder dulcimer I can't hear my own instrument and if one of them is off key I sometimes hear myself as too sharp compared to flat notes. SO.... is there a device I can attach to my instrument with earphones that I can hear my own instrument louder to just me? That would be SO helpful! I can't use my amp so wondering if…
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The Tuning Wench Blog
The Dark Side of the Bowed Psaltery
We are all afraid of the "dark side" … and even the lovely bowed psaltery has one. It’s that pesky cross over to the side of sharps and flats, brrrrrrrrr, sends shivers down your spine, at least until you get used to it.
Well, it’s a necessary evil unless you want to live in a world where only the key of C exists or if you carry around and play on a variety of diatonic instruments. One psaltery can just about fit all, if you dare to cross over………..
Like most other difficult things you first have to get over the mystery and fear of it, then it’s just a matter of practice, over, and over, and over…..
I remember when I first started playing Greensleeves in the key of F. There's Bb with a a couple unexpected C#s thrown in for hysteria.....oh boy…..my dread would build each time I approached one of those “un-natural” notes and I’d either breathe a sigh of relief if I made it or cringe with a stomach twist if I blew it.
Then I found myself at a music festival selling bowed psalteries on consignment for a friend who builds them. I had to demonstrate the psaltery and the song I knew the best from memory and had practiced the most through the past few years was Greensleeves.
I played and to my shock I didn’t even think about the dark side….I was more concerned with remembering the notes and making it smooth and pretty for the people listening so they would think the bowed psaltery was as remarkable as I think it is.
To my shock, a woman said, “I love to watch how smoothly and gracefully you cross over and move up and down the psaltery”. If I hadn’t been the only one playing I would have thought she meant someone else. It was true though, I had gotten so used to the song and the notes on “the dark side” that my love of the song and the psaltery was moving the bow up, down and across the strings as smooth as silk, the instrument was playing like butter.
That was definitely a landmark in the slow evolution of my bowed psaltery skills. These little, and sometimes large, leaps in ability happen when you least expect them, but not until you have invested some solid and generous practice time!
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