The psaltery is an ancient instrument that so many musicians have played since the dawn of ages. If one does not know what these instruments are, basically, they are string instruments that look somewhat like harps and violins combined together. If one loves playing exotic instruments, then he can actually make one of these handmade psalteries at home.
Now the very first thing to do in this entire process would be to create the frame. Now the frame has to be done carefully because if it is not done well, then the whole instrument may actually fall apart. To make the frame, one must cut out three blocks of plywood with two being tall and thin while the third one is smaller and thick.
Upon cutting up these three pieces, one must now use some glue to put them all together. Now he must make use of a wood glue that has the capacity to keep the wood pieces together. Now he must first apply the glue, stick the wood pieces, and then wait for a while until the glue dries.
After he has done this, then he would now have to make the back. Now the shape of the psaltery is a triangle which means that the back of the instrument would also be a triangle. So to make the back, one just has to cut out some thin plywood in the shape of a triangle and use the glue to attach it there.
After he has done that, then the next thing that he has to think about would be attaching the soundboard. Now the soundboard would be the front of the psaltery and would be where the strings and the pins are. So to make this, one just has to make a duplicate of the back and attach it to the front instead.
After doing this, he must now carve a small hole in the middle and then concentrate on attaching the pins. Now if one is not familiar as to where he should put the pins, he may actually look it up on the internet. Of course in order to make the holes, he has to use a drill that is strong enough to go through the wood.
Now once the pins have been put into place, the next thing to do would be to add the strings. Now the strings can be bought at a music store anywhere in the country. To attach the strings, one must tie the strings to the pins with the help of some pliers.
Lastly, one has to now create a bridge for the psaltery. Now this little piece of wood is quite crucial to the psaltery because it is the thing that will help create the unique sound. One has to place is near the strings at the bottom of the instrument. Now if he has already done that, then he may now start playing his little instrument. He may also create a bow for his instrument but that can be done at another day.
Now the very first thing to do in this entire process would be to create the frame. Now the frame has to be done carefully because if it is not done well, then the whole instrument may actually fall apart. To make the frame, one must cut out three blocks of plywood with two being tall and thin while the third one is smaller and thick.
Upon cutting up these three pieces, one must now use some glue to put them all together. Now he must make use of a wood glue that has the capacity to keep the wood pieces together. Now he must first apply the glue, stick the wood pieces, and then wait for a while until the glue dries.
After he has done this, then he would now have to make the back. Now the shape of the psaltery is a triangle which means that the back of the instrument would also be a triangle. So to make the back, one just has to cut out some thin plywood in the shape of a triangle and use the glue to attach it there.
After he has done that, then the next thing that he has to think about would be attaching the soundboard. Now the soundboard would be the front of the psaltery and would be where the strings and the pins are. So to make this, one just has to make a duplicate of the back and attach it to the front instead.
After doing this, he must now carve a small hole in the middle and then concentrate on attaching the pins. Now if one is not familiar as to where he should put the pins, he may actually look it up on the internet. Of course in order to make the holes, he has to use a drill that is strong enough to go through the wood.
Now once the pins have been put into place, the next thing to do would be to add the strings. Now the strings can be bought at a music store anywhere in the country. To attach the strings, one must tie the strings to the pins with the help of some pliers.
Lastly, one has to now create a bridge for the psaltery. Now this little piece of wood is quite crucial to the psaltery because it is the thing that will help create the unique sound. One has to place is near the strings at the bottom of the instrument. Now if he has already done that, then he may now start playing his little instrument. He may also create a bow for his instrument but that can be done at another day.
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