Introducing the Bowed Psaltery

The bowed psaltery, a modern adaptation of the ancient psaltery, emerged in the 20th century. It features a triangular or trapezoidal wooden frame with strings stretched across it, which are played with a bow.

Unlike its plucked ancestor, the bowed psaltery allows for sustained notes and a distinctive, ethereal sound. It gained popularity in folk and early music circles due to its unique timbre and ease of play. Its design has seen various updates, making it a versatile choice for contemporary and historical music performances.

I have included the essentials if you're interested in getting one of your own to play with or as a gift for the instrument playing music lover in your family.

Below you can also find videos on how to tune the psaltery and how to replace a broken string.

Spring Creek Psalteries

Greensleeves

Replacing a string

How to Tune a Psaltery