The Bowed Psaltery

The psaltery is one of several types of instruments having strings strectched across a flat soundbox, all struck "open" due to the fact that there are no frets. Other instruments within this classification are dulcimers, some harps, and various upright psalteries. The pasaltery of the later Middle Ages and early Renaissance consists of a flat soundbox with slanting or incurved sides betweeen which are ranged numerous courses of strings. It is usually played with the back of the soundbox resting against the player's body, longest side up. The strings are then struck with a pair of quill plectra - the plucked psaltery. It can also be played using a small bow which is drawn across the strings - the bowed psaltery.
 

 Song on the Bowed Psaltery
 
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