James Jones Two and Half Octave Alto Bowed Psaltery 7/8" w/ soft case #14

If you'd like to hear what this psaltery sounds like, visit james jones instruments at soundcloud.com

This hand-held triangular shaped melody instrument is played with a bow. Extremely easy to play, the psaltery's haunting, ethereal tone is used effectively with chordal instruments or in solo playing. The psaltery is played by drawing the bow along the right side of the instrument for the 'white keys of the piano' bowing between the posts. The sharps and flats are on the left side of the instrument. You would tilt the bow to play those accidentals; 'the black keys'. As you look at the instrument from the right side it has the same layout as a piano keyboard. Bowing is done in an up and down motion playing only one tone at a time. It is a primarily a melody instrument although there are a growing number of players who play with two bows allowing some chords and more elaborate arrangements. The instrument must be self supported to accomplish this feat. All my psalteries are fully chromatic.  Most children and adults with very little musical experience can play simple tunes almost immediately.  

The instrument is tuned with zither pins and a tuning wrench.

This Two and Half Octave Bowed Psaltery has 30 strings and is fully chromatic. The range is C6 - G3. There are markers indicating the Cs and Gs. Pin Spacing is 7/8" which facilitates play. All strings are wound giving you a very full sound with generous bass response.

Size is 24” X 9” X 2 1/2" with pins and weighs 3 lbs depending on the wood. 

All solid wood construction. These instruments are not constructed of ply and are made entirely of solid hardwoods and quality tone woods giving you a beautiful sounding instrument!

This particular instrument has a Redwood soundboard, Cherry back with Birdseye Maple sides and Curly Maple pin block facing.

Made in the USA personally by James Jones

Price includes:

• Soft case with an external pocket for your bow, rosin and tuning wrench
• Genuine horsehair 15" bow
• Owner's Manual
• Tuning/String Gauge Chart
• Rosin
• Quality tuning wrench