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Pluck that shortest string to see how the pitch relates to the note to which it should be tuned.
To adjust the pitch, be careful to place your tuning wrench on the correct tuning pin, and turn
the pin SLOWLY as you keep plucking the string to hear the effect of your efforts. Turning the
pin clockwise will raise the pitch, and turning it counter-clockwise will lower it.
The shortest strings can be fussy to tune, because the slightest turn of the wrench causes a
significant change in the pitch. If you have difficulty arriving at just the right pitch, try tuning
the string a bit too high and then pushing on it with your finger. That should lower the pitch
somewhat by stretching the wire. A little trial and error should suffice.
Continue tuning down the right side of the instrument, matching the pitches with the white
keys of the piano, as shown on the tuning chart. The longest string, which reaches to the very
point of the triangle, should be tuned to middle C.
As you move over to the left-hand side of the psaltery, the first string near the middle should
be tuned to C#. Work your way up the left side, matching the pitches to the black keys of the
piano as you go. The shortest string on the left should match the high F# key, about 2-1/2 octaves
above middle “C”.
If this is the first tuning for your instrument, you may find that some of the strings you tight-
ened need to be tuned again already. This happens because the wire strings are still stretching
under the tension. To hurry this “settling” process, you might push on the strings with your
finger to stretch the wire before tuning the second time. Then the strings should stay in tune
quite well.
USING THE BOW
HOLDING THE INSTRUMENT
Hold the bow with the fingertips of your right hand. Rest the bow hair on one of the psaltery
strings (no need to press hard) and draw the full length of the bow across that string, making
a long, even note. Push the full length of the bow across the same string in the opposite direc-
tion.
Bowing technique may take a little time to develop. Try to keep a light but even pressure on the
bow as you stroke the strings, one at a time. Tilt the bow downward on the right side to play the
natural notes, and downward on the left to play the sharps and flats along the other side. With
a little practice, you’ll be able to move quickly up and down the scale.
If you wish to use music, we recommend any sheet music or songbook that shows the
melody in the treble clef. You can play both the alto and soprano ranges on this instrument.
Playing by ear is also quite simple, especially in the key of “c”, because the notes on the right side
of the psaltery form the “do, re, mi” scale, beginning at either of the “c” strings (marked with a
black dot).
If you are standing, hold the psaltery at about chest height on your left fore-arm, with the
square end resting against your abdomen. In that position you will be able to comfortably han-
dle the bowing motions with your right hand, playing strings along either side of the instru-
ment. If you are sitting, you may try crossing your legs and resting the instrument on your lap.
In such a position you will be able to use two bows, one in each hand, for playing harmonies.
