Anyway, here's a picture of it. It has 32 steel strings and is played with a curved bow. The history of the bowed psaltery is questionable, but it is probably descended from the plucked psaltery of medieval times. I wanted to be able to play authentic music on it, but it was difficult to find any. Eventually I decided to play whatever sounded good on it, and also to compose my own music for it. In 1997 I achieved one of my life's ambitions and made a professional recording, entitled "Promises To Keep". It has 12 tracks, eight being my original compositions, and the other four my own arrangements of traditional folk songs. My electronic keyboard provides the accompaniment.It is hard to describe the sound of the bowed psaltery. It seems that people either love it or hate it! I reckon the split is 95%/5%, in favour of the former. Those who love the sound commonly describe it as relaxing to listen to, which I would concur with. I haven't mentioned it before because I haven't had the means to link to a sound file on my blog, but now I have! Clicking on the link on my sidebar (fingers crossed that it works!) will take you to my Windows Live Skydrive page, where you will find some sample tracks from my CD which you can download and listen to. I'd love to know what people think of the sound, for or against! If anyone is interested in knowing more about the CD, please contact me via my profile.
Copyright note: I just need to point out that I hold the copyright for all tracks. I will be delighted if anyone wishes to download the sample tracks for their own enjoyment. However, please do not re-distribute them in any way (pass on the link to my blog instead) and please do not add them to any other internet site. If you should wish to use them other than for the circumstance described above, please contact me and permission may well be forthcoming! Thank you for respecting this.
Is there no end to your talents Lynne. This is so interesting, what an unusual instrument. I've had a lovely listen to your tracks and they're gorgeous. I really love Talisman, it's really relaxing but catchy at the same time. I have so much admiration for peple who can play music and to compose aswell, thats amazing. I was brought up in a musical household but have no talent myself unfortunately, although I love all types of music and have it on all day, far more than the TV.
ReplyDeleteI shall definitely be listening to your tracks again and shall show my Hubby when he comes home, he'll be interested in this too.
Thanks so much for sharing it and have a lovely weekend!!
Lisax
You are going to have to show me what to do so we can put some of Meg's guitar on! Lovely to hear your music again x
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to try this out Lynne but it's 1.11 am and we have our 20 month old granddaughter here - fast asleep at the moment but only a thin wall between her and my computer so I'll have to be patient and try later.
ReplyDeleteLesley Xx