The Bowed Psaltery

[ljfrompa]

general info for anyone interested....

 

i first got into the psalteries when i came across a picture of one online and wondered what it was and what it sounded like.

when i found out it was called a "bowed psaltery" of course i googled it and got all kinds of info and pictures.

you can hear one being played if you go to youtube.com and do a search for one...many videos.

 

i did a little more research and found this site with directions on how to make one.

http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/psaltery.htm

 

since i work in a woodshop, i thought it sounded doable and made one for my hubby for christmas 2 years ago...and the rest is history

 

my 1st 2...kinda big and clunky i thought

 

 

then i started getting a little more creative with the woods...

 

now that i have a scroll saw...i can get more creative with the sound holes....and i'm charging more for them too

 

just a little side-line hobby...

if you can 'play by ear', it is a very easy instrument to play!

problem is....i'm so busy making them and other wood projects, i have very little time to just sit down, pick one up and play it.

[Travis]

Those are really cool. A very unique instrument. I haven't heard one before. I guess the problem with making something that cool is that everybody will want one....LOL. I really like the scroll work. I think that really ads a lot of character and something you won't find commercially. Especially if its custom done for a specific person. Can't wait to see some more of your stuff!

[AirNationalGuardMom]

I've never seen one before but those are beautiful.

Linda

[spirithorse]

Hi, Lori,

I would have thought it was a dulcimer!

Beautiful work and great craftsmanship.

Is it xpensive to buy the tuning pegs, etc?

Thanks for showing your beautiful work and

GOD BLESS! SpiritHorse

[ljfrompa]

thanks for the nice compliments everyone

 

all my wood is free....

there are 50 tuning pins on each one which now run 30 cents each.

i buy bulk wire .009 usually 1/4 lb. rolls ...around $16.00/roll...one roll will do probably 8 or 10 psalteries.

and a delron rod on top of the bridge...really cheap...i even cut and used a wire coat hanger for one once when i ran out of the rod

 

that's the total expenses....from start to finish i'm guessing about 6-8 hours of work

 

that last one i sold for $150.00

[shadylady0447]

Beautiful work! They look similar to the autoharps we learned to play in music class when I was in grade school. The autoharp became popular when The Carter Family started making records. Mama Carter played one. I have a friend who plays and has 3 or 4 of them all tuned in different keys. I love the different woods you've used. Have you ever sold any?

[ljfrompa]

i'm working on number 25 right now...i've given about 10 of them away...most to family members...i've sold the rest.

 

the auto harp is tuned to a particular key. this instrument is chromatic...all the sharps and flats are on the left side, whole notes on the right side...you can play anything within a 2 octave range.

[scrolldog]

Those are all just beautiful,makes me almost want to learn how to play one(no musical ability LOL).

[jowshu]

These are very cool. Very nice work!! Making one (or two or three) is now at the top of my list!!! I was on youtube watching and listening when my son came in and asked if I was going to make him one!! I told him I would but after I make mine!! I might even make one to donate to my kid's elementary school and scroll in their mascot!!

 

Don