This is the new instrument I’m learning to play, called a psaltery. It’s really fun to practice it, and learn the ‘notes’. If I can keep it from screeching it will usually sound pretty nice! I’ve got to get the hang of where the notes are, because I have to read my notebook (which I have the notes written out on) and try to play, which results in lots of pauses during the song because I’ve forgotten where I am in the book. 
It’s challenging, but I’d really like to learn how to play it. I tried playing the piano but, it just didn’t work because I couldn’t play with my left hand too… it was just too confusing! Besides, Levi and Mom can already play the piano. So, I’ve decided to learn to play the psaltery. It made it really hard since I couldn’t read the piano notes, and had to pick them out by ear! Levi can play this pretty good too (by ear, of course), but then again, he can play his teeth, a harmonica, rubber bands, and piano!!
I’ve claimed this instrument, and it now resides in my bedroom instead of under Levi’s bed. 
I *hope* through much practice and determination, that I will eventually play this pretty well. Mom says I’m doing pretty good right now, for a beginner. I think so too, if I can just keep it from screeching. I found out it’s much easier if my book is somewhere in front of me, and not to the side! I’ve already picked out 3 Scripture songs on it (from a CD we listen to) and written down the notes in my notebook. That book is going to end up being called “The Psaltery Songbook”… LOL
My grandmother, especially, has always seemed to want me to play an instrument, usually the piano. But I’d much rather play something with a bow, because I can’t make my fingers do what I want them to with a piano! This, in a way, is much easier for me than the piano. It just takes fluid arm movements, and knowing where the notes are on the psaltery! I’m trying to practice it every single day, so I can get better at it and improve my skills with it. My back ends up aching, but it’s worth it to just listen to the music it makes!!
Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.
Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.
Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.
Psalms 33:1-4
I will also praise thee with the psaltery, even thy truth, O my God: unto thee will I sing with the harp, O thou Holy One of Israel.
Psalms 71:22
It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, and to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:
To shew forth thy lovingkindness in the morning, and thy faithfulness every night,
Upon an instrument of ten strings, and upon the psaltery; upon the harp with a solemn sound.
For thou, LORD, hast made me glad through thy work: I will triumph in the works of thy hands.
Psalms 92:1-4
Filed under: General, Psaltery | Tagged: beginner, bow, CD, faithfulness, glad, harmonica, harp, instrument, LORD, lovingkindness, noise, notes, piano, praise, praises, psaltery, rejoice, righteous, rubber band, screeching, scripture, sing, skillfully, solemn, song, sound, strings, teeth, thanks, triumph, truth, works
I have never seen this instrument before. What does it sound like when it isn’t screeching? LOL
I have to tell you–I now have 4 baby chicks hatched! The first Silkie took sooo long getting out of his shell (well over 24 hours) he was getting dried out. I finally had to assist and she/he was hatched right in my hand! While he was still in the egg and only 2 other eggs had been pipped, suddenly there was a chick–from what was SUPPOSED to be a guinea egg. It was definitely not a Silkie either. Maybe a regular chicken? A little research…a check with the person we got the eggs from: it is a pheasant! We found that pretty entertaining. So far getting along okay with the Silkies. So 3 Silkies, 1 pheasant, 3 probably-dud Silkie eggs (but I didnt’ have the heart to take them out of the incubator yet) and 17 guinea eggs of unknown contents–the shells are so thick and dark it is hard to make anything out candling them. And yesterday my husband came in and handed me a receipt….he’s ordered duck eggs, should be arriving Wednesday. Pekin ducks, which I think are what Jack is? We do have a pond that just begs for ducks, but I guess I would have waited to see how the others work out? He says “in for a penny, in for a pound”–might as well go all the way with it. Just as long as geese aren’t next–I’m a bit scared of geese!
There’s a psaltery sample here in MP3 format–> http://www.harpkit.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=bowedpsal
Guinea eggs a pretty thick and hard, so you probably won’t be able to see through them! Yep, Jack is a Pekin duck. They’re the only kind of ducks we’ve ever gotten. Jack is huge! I mean he has to be like the biggest duck we’ve ever had. He’s so tall and full of feathers.
I’d love to have geese!! If you’re scared of them, just have a nice stick handy.. Always worked on the roosters. LOL.
Which reminds me.. I need to get some pictures of Mom’s new flower garden we just put in today. It’s got lattice too!
It’s always fun to learn an unusual instrument. A friend gave my son an autoharp a few years ago (when he was 3, LOL) but no books. We’ve figured a few things out on it. I’ve never heard of a psaltery. Do you know where they originally came from?
Thanks for posting the link to that MP3 sample–what a beautiful sound! The way it reverberates is really nice. Keep at it and I’m sure you’ll get the hang of it soon. I would love to be able to “make music” some other way than pressing the button on a CD player
akhomeschoolfun ~ What is an autoharp? No, I don’t know where psalteries originally came from, nor do I remember how long we’ve had this one.
Erika ~ You’re welcome! I’m getting the hang of it, slowly but surely. My Mom and Grandmother tell me I should keep at the piano, but I prefer the beautiful sound of the psaltery more than the piano, for some reason.
I’ve picked out a few more Scripture Songs on it from a CD we listen to. I love playing them on my psaltery!
I found mention of a psaltery in the Bible book of 1 Kings yesterday so they’ve been around a long time. An autoharp is a lap-sized harp shaped string instrument with wooden back. You play it by strumming the strings like a guitar and pressing buttons on the side for different keys. I’m not very good at it but the man who gave it to us is a real whiz with any instrument. He went to a national autoharp convention a few years ago down in Oregon.
That sounds interesting.
My brother has a guitar but he can’t play it — and neither can I. But he has a harmonica that he can play really well.
I would love to learn how to play the psaltery, it sounds so beautiful.
It is actually pretty easy to learn how to play. The only thing I really had to get the hang of was moving the bow between notes without hitting the metal things.
~ Lacy
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~ Lacy