Beginning how to play plucked psaltery/lap harp
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- Опубліковано 22 січ 2016
- I have had a lot of people ask me for information on how to play the plucked psaltery/lap harp after watching my videos, so I put this together. This goes over the basic layout of the instrument and how to get started playing. I'm intending to do another video about how to play harmonies and such things. If you have anything you'd like me to discuss, please put it in the comments so that I may include it in a later video.
CORRECTION! The thumb pick I am using is NOT a Fred Kelly Slick Pick. It is a Fred Kelly Delrin Speed Thumb Pick. Here is a link to where I bought mine. Most places don't sell left handed thumb picks, and of the few places that do, most of them you have to buy in bulk. You still have to buy two each from here, but that's a lot better than 24 of each. I recommend the right hand heavy and left hand heavy so that the sound matches.
www.stringsandbeyond.com/fred-...
Here is a link to the aLaska Pik website for the finger picks. I recommend getting the plastic picks because the metal ones will make more string noise. You can order these from lots of different places (like Amazon or Guitar Center). They also run really small, so keep that in mind when ordering.
www.alaskapik.com/
Enjoy!
For the absolute beginner this is most informative. I thank you for your help.
I know this video is from a few years back, but I wanted to say thank you. I’m going to be purchasing a lap harp this week. I have no musical abilities, but I want to play some music for my own enjoyment. This video was helpful, thank you.😊
I'm so happy you found my old video helpful. I wish you much joy with your new instrument. I have a recording from an online class I taught that may be helpful. It is more focused on Medieval music specifically. ua-cam.com/video/SsHLlisK7CQ/v-deo.htmlsi=DMjTwBAT1oMstq37
перепёлочка means a little quail in Russian. I played this thing being in day care when I was a kid. Now I'm rebuilding one for my grand kids using sitka spruce.
dimzay that’s awesome! My mother doesn’t know much about music, but her grandmother got her one of this brand of harp, and my mother passed it down to me to teach me music.
Thank goodness! I've been trying to figure out what that work (perepyeloachka) since I had one as a kid! And I speak Russian!! hahaha!!
2 Esdras 7:100
Can you make a video on how to put new strings on a lap harp?
Thank you Elizabeth ! I enjoy playing simple melodies on my lap harp but your playing shows how much more can be done , beautiful ! I add my voice to others who hope you do make another video about adding harmony and left hand patterns to tunes . Your lap harp videos are enchanting and inspiring but your fingers move too quickly for me to understand.
Looking forward to your next instructional and adding harmony on the psaltery/lap harp. I'm a classical trained pianist and have been "plucking" the zither just to keep the "ears" tuned. A zither's much easier to carry than a piano :-). Love your videos!
Starting watching your videos this afternoon and I'm on ebay now looking at psalteries. Not sure if I should thank you...
Thank you for this video! I do hope that you'll make the one about technique and harmonies. I play the harp, but it just feels more intuitive than the psaltery for some reason
Thank you for this! It was the perfect length and just the info I needed to get me started. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to more videos 🌸
This is so helpful! I have this same exact brand and model of psaltery, and a background in music, and I've just learnt how to play this. My one wish is that the tuning stuck...I have to retune this constantly (even more than my superbly fussy violin)!
Your videos are so helpful. Thank you!
Iv a violin player but I have picked this up easy. I just have the tune in my head on how it goes and transpose to the instrument. Thanks for your information. I picked mine up at a yard sale and I'm using finger picks also.
Very late. Thank you ! thank you ! thank you ! What you do to get started with music is great. Hervé an old French musician.
Thank you for this helpful film.
Aha! I'm an SCA'er looking for a new thing to pass the time at Pennsic. I haven't played an instrument since only a few years of elementary school piano, and cant sing a note, so I was looking for a cheap easy instrument to teach myself. Many thanks!
Vickie Rayhill
So fun! Once you have gained some confidence with your instrument, you could play "filler" music for court (like a short phrase from a medieval piece while someone comes forward to receive an award). Make sure your royals are okay with it. The musicians in my area have started doing that, and it adds such nice ambiance. The psaltery is unobtrusive, so it works well for this.
Thank you. I play piano and wanted to learn same song on my lap harp or guitar zither as reinforcement. Your information helps. I will get some aLaska Piks for each finger for better playing.
I'm glad you enjoyed the video. Picks will help you play maybe a little louder, but now I personally prefer playing without picks. You have a lot more control. But it is up to you.
Very good introduction!
Mine came tuned F to F. The UA-cam instruction says to tune it G to G. But neither worked for me. Don't know what were they thinking! Then I figured it out, must songs are E to E. Viola! Now it works perfectly 95% of the time.
Yeah, it depends on the type of music you play and what keys you typically use. I'm glad you found something that works for you!
i picked up my перпепелочка at some little antique store here in Michigan, no one knew what it was, and nether did i but i read the name and googled quail musical instrument, heard some songs and bought it for a fiver, forgot about it for quite a few years and just now found it
Just did the same thing at a thrift store in Colorado! Got it for a dollar.
If you get one of these with it's song sheets that slide under the strings, you will be able to play the single line melody of the songs by following the Connect-The-Dots system they use. But you have to keep tuned to the key of G for the songs to sound right. Changing between the Keys of C and G only requires changing the tuning of 2 strings. Tune the F strings up to F sharp for the key of G. And all it's song sheets will work just fine. Tune these 2 strings back down to F for the Key of C. Which on these instruments is a very versatile Key to use. Especially if you take the time to learn how to read regular sheet music, or to play by ear. Invest this time and you will truly unlock the musical potential.of this sweet sounding instrument Also the short flat-metal tuning wrench that comes with this instrument is very hard to use. Make your life easier by getting a wrench sized for an Autoharp or Bowed Psaltery. It will fit better on the tuning pegs and the longer handle length will make it easier to fine tune each string's pitch. Personally I have two of these instruments. Keep one tuned to the Key of G, which I pull out with it's song sheets when I'm with people who claim they can't play any musical instruments, have no musical talent. Once they start to pluck the melody, I grab a flute or guitar, add some harmony or fingerstyle chord pattern accompaniment. Watch their face light up as they experience making music together. My other one is tuned to the Key of C, with the C and F strings color coded as this video describes, I use it for more creative and challenging musical moments, where I want to play more then just a single melody line on it..
It is always nice to find out of other members of the SCA - Greetings from Austria (Shire of Ad Flumen Caerulum in the Kingdom of Drachenwald).
Greetings from Ansteorra (Texas/Oklahoma)! :)
Elizabeth Krause After I have seen your video and after doing some research on the plucked psaltery in medieval paintings, I am not sure how it is possible to play it "like a piano" or "like a harp", because when I will hold it in front of my chest like in the Manesse it won't be possible. I will give it a try ... but your video mede me start 3 days ago! :D
+KAWAU TV - Der Mittelalter-Kanal
When I say that the instrument is similar to a harp or piano, I am mostly referring to the tuning. When in a proper playing position, the strings will be at a different angle. (So your fingers will go up and down as opposed to side to side on the piano or harp.)
Have you looked at any of my other videos? I lay the psaltery in my lap with the longer strings closest to my body. I feel this makes the psaltery easier to play as opposed to propping it against your chest as is seen in most medieval arwork. I have found a medieval sculpture showing the instrument in the lap playing position. It is very possible that the psaltery was normally played in the lap, but it is most often depicted propped against the chest so it is easier to see the entire instrument in a two dimensional picture. This distortion of perspective is a common practice in medieval art.
That being said, I was once playing my psaltry at night next to a camp fire, and I found it easier to see with the psaltery propped against my chest. Perhaps this playing position makes more sense if you are relying on fire light (torches, candles, etc.) to see. I think you can argue either playing position as possibly historically accurate.
Elizabeth Krause Thank you very much - I haven't found a evidence for playing the form of the psaltery I have at home on the lap. I will try to find something. Thank you for your information, very interesting point I didn't thought of.
Thank you so much for this video! This is the only instrument I have ever been able to successfully play, but it's been difficult to find much information on it. This video is very helpful!
What are those things on your fingers by the way?
+Temperdoodle
I'm glad you found the video helpful. I am using finger picks. They aren't necessary, but the instrument is very quiet without them. More information on the specific picks I am using is in the video description.
+Elizabeth Krause Oh, thank you! I can't believe I didn't think to check the description! Sorry :-)
How did you learn it?
+J Q Just practice, but most come with music sheets that fit beneath the strings and tell you exactly what to pluck. Makes it very easy for people who aren't great at instruments like me
thanks for posting this :)
One more thing dulcimer hammers work will too but are quieter then using picks. Probably would sound good under a pickup installed.
Thank You so helpful
Thank you Elizabeth!
Thank you Elizabeth for posting this video and for all your comments below. I play a small lever harp, a nylon-string hognose plucked psaltery, and recently purchased a zither, tuned G - g (same size, different builder, as yours). I do read notation, and would LOVE to find some renaissance music, the notation for Amoroso, or similar, that would work on my instrument. Any suggestions for where to find the music? Thank you for your help!
I play a lot of Medieval music on my psaltery. I mostly use the Medieval song books compiled by Al Cofrin. You can order them from his website at www.istanpitta.com.
He also has a book of Renaissance dance music. When you move into the Renaissance, you start risking more accidentals in your music (which doesn't play friendly with the psaltery). In fact, the psaltery became less popular in the Renaissance due to its musical limitations. It really had its heyday in the Middle Ages.
Honestly, if you know the names of particular tunes you are interested in, a quick Internet seach usually brings up lots of open source transcriptions you can use.
@@elizabethkrause1500 I'm revisiting my zither/psaltery. I reviewed the contents of Al's books - if I tuned to Cmaj as you have (although G-g), is there one of his books that you would recommend? Thanks!
Either of the Medieval books would be good. Maybe not the dance book since it will have more chromaticism that you can’t play on the little psaltery.
How do you tune this 😂
With a key, exactly Like a piano
hello, i was just given a lap harp like this, what is the mm of the tuner for it? than you!
I have this exact one, mine was made in belarus, it says it on the back
how much room do you have for alternate tuning? I guess for most applications you only need to adjust half steps, but how far can the strings go from where you have them tuned?
This is a difficult question to answer. I'm pretty sure you can go up or down a half step on any string without issue. That will allow you to play in any key. If you do anything too extremely different, you may run the risk of breaking strings or permanently warping/cracking the wood. I had an email conversation with Janet Brooks (brookshillmusic.com) where I was trying to convince her to make me a chromatic plucked psaltery somehow. The conversation made me much more aware of the detail that goes into instrument design. They really are optimized for a specific tuning.
That being said...
This is a cheap instrument, and sometimes I treat it as such. I know somebody who tuned her instrument with a smaller range, but tuned some of the strings to F# and C# so that she could play in both C and D keys. She told me this same story two years in a row, so apparently the instrument hasn't broken over the course of a year being tuned like that. Once for fun, I tuned my instrument completely chromatically just for a couple of hours. I didn't end up breaking any strings, but I wouldn't recommend keeping it like that.
In short, the best idea is to keep it G to G with individual strings tuned up or down a half step in order to change keys. You can experiment with other weird tuning at your own risk. :)
Guitar zithers are in this family and are generally chromatic.
please make a video on how to tune and where to get the tuning tool
Google it
The tuning wrench is for zither pins. It is the same that is used for auto harps or hammered dulcimers. Just search for “autoharp tuning wrench” and you should find lots of options.
how do u tune the strings
get a slide or a slide bar and you can transpose on the fly
Actually, I have used the metal part of the tuning wrench to do fun slide effects. ;)
what gauge strings do you use and what type of pick as in soft, medium, hard?
I use #16 strings. The original strings on the psaltery were #18, but my local music store did not carry those with a loop end.
The Fred Kelly speed picks that I use on my thumbs are hard because that is the only pick available for the left thumb. But when I use a flat pick, I generally use a softer pick (personal preference). I think it makes less string noise. The delrin Alaska Piks only come in one hardness.
I need to replace some strings. Do you use the same gauge string for each?
For this psaltery, I do use the same gauge for every string. .016” works well, but you can go a little heavier or lighter if that size isn’t available.
Thanks for the video to your my first lesson subscribe
Can you comment on /have you made a video about how to play the proper length of a note on the Psaltery (lap harp)? I’m one-handed so I’m just learning the instrument but all of my notes are the same length of time (I know that’s not right). Also I am really having a hard time with not having some of the strings reverberate way past when they should. Do you have any tips?
The timing of the note will depend on your song. Do you read music? It is not too difficult to learn the basics, especially note lengths.
But maybe your issue is that the note isn't ringing as long as it should? First, make sure you are not accidentally dampening the strings with your fingers/hand/sleeve/etc. If the string still doesn't ring very long, the string might be old and dirty. Replacing the strings would help. Or the strings could be too tight. The tighter the strings, the louder the note, but the shorter the sustain. A string that is not so tight will ring longer. You might play with string tension to see if you get a fuller sound. If not, then maybe your strings are old and just need to be replaced.
I hope that answers your question!
i have that same kind
Where can I get d notes of d i nstrument? For example Where is "Do" ?
Now that I've ordered the great book you suggested, and the piks, I'm curious about the actual fingering. Do you mostly use you thumb, index, and middle fingers? Not too much ring finger? I'm trying to watch carefully. Any thoughts on making a fingering video? And I would love to find the sheet music for the Amoroso piece you did...it's hauntingly beautiful. Thanks!
I use all of my fingers except for my pinkies, but there isn't a rule that you can't use those too. Practice will make you feel more comfortable using more fingers.
Amoroso is easy! You can find the music in the Pennsic Pile, a free pdf document full of Renaissance dance tunes compiled for the SCA:
www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.pug.net/Pennsic-Pile-2019.pdf&ved=2ahUKEwjIksOk-MXzAhVvSDABHR32AfAQFnoECAMQAQ&usg=AOvVaw1bDENp6lELlII0w8L91D-0
Play the melody line with your right hand. For the left hand, alternate between A and D every beat for the whole song. That's it!
@@elizabethkrause1500 You're just the best. Thank you, again, for a fast reply and terrific information. My new 15 string psaltry from James Jones in Virginia arrived today. It's beautiful and I can wait to try the Amoroso piece. THANK YOU!!!
I got a plucked psaltery last year but just let it sit around. Now I'm deciding to get back to it. Needless to say, the thing was horribly out of tune after just sitting around for so long. It came with one of those awful tuning wrenches which is literally just a goddamn four inch slab of metal with a hole punched in it. Not precise at all! I got a L wrench and it is a _lifesaver._ It took me like an hour to get it back in tune, but I never got frustrated. I knew it'd take time. I just kept focused and didn't let myself get distracted.
I also came up with my own notation system that's sort of an inbetween of yours--I have a teeny tiny knot of cross stitching floss of different colors on each string. G is yellow, A is dark blue, B is purple, etc. I'll probably use the crutch for a long time, but eh. I'm just learning to play for fun. Mostly just using hymns as the songs I'm learning with since I know them.
I'm glad to hear you are enjoying your psaltery. Tuning will get faster with practice, I promise!
I am having difficulty sourcing strings. Any suggestions? Also, are they all the same diameter or are the bass strings larger. Thanks.
It depends on your instrument. For little ones like this, you can usually get away with the same diameter. I use .16" plain steel strings which are readily available at most music shops or online.
This thing is indeed giving me a real hard time tuning it :)
Not only do the strings react extremely sensitive to the wrench movements... but once I got the tuning right, it sometimes takes only 10 minutes or so of playing for some strings to be detuned again :/
I wonder if I should put notches into the metal bars on which the strings lay... in order to avoid strings micro-moving up and down on that bar. That might stabilize the tuning.
Is this a new or used instrument? If the psaltery hasn't been tuned and played regularly, there can be an adjustment time while the strings settle. You will have to tune it a lot in that time. If it is old, it probably needs new strings.
Also, tuning the pins with a wrench will feel a lot more difficult if you are used to instruments with geared tuning machines. But don't worry. With patience, you will get used to it.
@@elizabethkrause1500 Thanks for getting back. It is in fact a used instrument. I bought it used (after listening to your Video "Amoroso" - not kidding) and I'm playing it since 6 months or so... yea, maybe the strings are just worn-out and need to be replaced. Hope I can find a proper string set.
I can in fact instantly-correct the tuning by very slightly moving the string up and down the metal bar. Goes faster than fetching that wrench ;-) Hence the idea of carving notches into the bar, so that the strings lay tight and have no freedom to slide up and down... which they probably do 🤔 but maybe replacing the old strings will do the wonders.
how do you turn the tuning knobs (if that’s when they’re called)? mine are very difficult to turn and i don’t know how to tune it.
Most of these little lap harps require a tuning an autoharp tuning wrench to turn the pins. Here's an example of what you want: www.musiciansfriend.com/accessories/endust-autoharp-tuning-wrench/420156000000000?cntry=us&source=3WWMWXGP&gclid=CjwKCAjw1dzkBRBWEiwAROVDLGogK9Lcjz49euA-8Ha4EjaEs92EjhLPVQ4qkKhjxHFlcLj_YDCkrxoCawMQAvD_BwE
Elizabeth Krause i actually got one before seeing your reply, but thank you!
Do you play by striking the strings down or up ?
John Roberts
Good question. I pluck down for the index, middle, and ring fingers and up with the thumb.
💚💚💚
hey, I just got this but I think it’s out of tune, would you mind sharing how you tune it? thank you ^^
If you have the same instrument as mine, you want the lowest string to be G and just up the scale. I tune mine in the key of C, that is all the white notes on a keyboard. But you can sharpen or flatten individual notes depending on what key you want to play.
Where did you order the tuning wrench from, please?
Just do an Internet search for "autoharp tuning wrench," and you should get lots of options. I believe I ordered mine from Guitar Center.
Thank you! Finally found one. Our Guitar Centers locally were all closed still.
Hello!! Where can I find music? What is the name of that book that you used? Is it for sale? Thanks!🌺
The book I reference in the video is "Early Period & Popular Dance Music" by Al Cofrin, and it is for sale: www.istanpitta.com/cds-books/book-early-period-popular-dance-music
You can also get a lot of great Renaissance dance music for free by downloading the Pennsic Pile. It's a resource for SCA (a reenactment club) dance bands. Amoroso is in this book.
I also really like Al Cofrin's Medieval music collections that you can find on the same website. If you know the particular Medieval song you want to learn, you can typically find some modern transcription for free online. But the print books give you a good variety.
@@elizabethkrause1500 Thank you kindly for all this good information!! I will definitely look into these great resources!! I had bought our Music Maker for the kids about 25 years ago, and never thought that this could be a viable instrument!! I am so excited and very happy that I came across your video!! Once again, many thanks!!🌺🎵✨🎶🌷
Где ты взяла такие гусли? "Перепелочка"?)
I bought this used from someone in the city where I was living. I have seen many of these gusli for sale secondhand in the US. I think they used to be popular as educational toys.
I'm learning to read sheet music, what type of sheet music is the easiest for this instrument?
readalot
The range is two octaves from G to G, so you would ideally want something that fits in that range. Most sung songs should be okay. If you are just learning to read sheet music, I would recommend starting with tunes that are familiar to you so that you can tell if you are playing the right notes or not. (Maybe use a hymnal or a book of children's tunes or folk tunes or whatever you are familiar with.) Just make sure that you check the key signature and make sure your psaltery is tuned correctly before you start. Eventually you will want to move on to tunes you are not familiar with because if you only play tunes you are familiar with, you might actually just be playing by ear!
Look over a song before playing to see if there are any "accidentals." These are sharps or flats or naturals that are outside of the key signature. You will not be able to play those notes on your psaltery. It is best to avoid songs with accidentals if possible.
Good luck! Have fun! :)
Can you use a soft pick?
Are you talking about a flat pick? You can use any kind of pick you want! My only recommendation is if you are using finger picks, you may want to avoid designs that cover the pad of your fingertip (such as standard banjo picks). I find they make a lot of noticeable noise on these little lap harps.
@@elizabethkrause1500 I was afraid I couldn’t get finger picks small enough. I have to buy children’s size gloves.
that type of zither is called a gusli i believe
You are correct.
I had this toy instrument in Ukraine in childhood in the early 90s
hello, is your tuning wrench 4mm or 5mm?
I believe it is 1/16”. It is best to get a wrench intended for autoharps. There are a lot of options available.
Isn't this considered a zither?
Yes, that is another name for this instrument. It has a lot of different names in a lot of different cultures.
I really like it. Also check out Woodglut and plans.
2 Esdras 4:100
Dal dal
Get to the point.
I hoped to hear the harp actually played......wayyy to much talking 🙄
Thank you for this helpful film.