Psaltery Strings

the all bowed psaltery network

May Song of the Month

This is the song for May, click on the name!

 

Minuet in G

 

 

Members

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  

http://www.davespsaltery.com

 

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

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.

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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.

 

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The Bow Song of the Month

Latest Activity

Jeremy Main replied to Steve's discussion Triplets
"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…"
11 hours ago
Donna Malus commented on Steve's photo
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Uploading Photos to Psaltery Strings

"I love it!  Is the pooch in tune with the psaltery?  "
11 hours ago
Steve posted photos
yesterday
Profile Iconbeverly moss and Frances Gill joined Psaltery Strings
Thursday
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…"
Thursday
Lynne Fearman(LynneFearman.com) commented on Donna Malus's video
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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…"
Thursday
Lynne Fearman(LynneFearman.com) commented on Donna Malus's video
Thursday
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..."
Wednesday
Philippa Anne Reed posted an event
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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
Wednesday
Robert Kurland posted a discussion

cheap, 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
Wednesday
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???"
Wednesday
Profile IconJanet Thompson and Robert Kurland joined Psaltery Strings
Tuesday
Jeremy Main commented on Jon Timlin's photo
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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…"
Tuesday
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…"
Tuesday
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!"
Tuesday
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…"
Tuesday
geo commented on geo's status
"It is my sincere wish to be able to bring thus beauty to north American musical culture!!!!!!!!"
Tuesday
Donna Malus replied to Jeremy Main's discussion Bowing techniques
"any chance of getting some audio of these sounds? "
Tuesday
Donna Malus commented on Jon Timlin's photo
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Four 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!"
Monday
Jeremy Main posted a discussion

Bowing 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
Monday

Forum

Triplets

Started by Steve in How can I ..... ?. Last reply by Jeremy Main 11 hours ago. 2 Replies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Blog Posts

Welcome reply

Posted by Laura on April 19, 2012 at 9:29pm 0 Comments

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

…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…

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David Munrow - early music

Posted by Philippa Anne Reed on April 10, 2012 at 9:46am 0 Comments

http://youtu.be/DKxdCSbAtOE

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! …

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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

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…

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Bowed Psaltery Cousin?

Posted by Rick Long on January 30, 2012 at 10:30am 3 Comments

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…

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Mini bows

Posted by Terry Butler on January 18, 2012 at 10:27pm 5 Comments

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…

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Christmas message to everyone

Posted by Philippa Anne Reed on December 12, 2011 at 8:27am 4 Comments

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…

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What is this Cove Lake deal all about?

Posted by Rick Long on November 22, 2011 at 7:00pm 1 Comment

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…

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PLANS FOR D TENOR OR SMALLER BOWED PSALTERY

Posted by BRUCE CAMLIN on October 23, 2011 at 2:39pm 0 Comments

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

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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