Meaning of Psaltery in Music
A psaltery is an ancient musical instrument that resembles a zither. It is a stringed instrument with a trapezoidal or rectangular sounding board over which the strings are stretched. The word "psaltery" is derived from the Ancient Greek word "psaltrion," which means "stringed instrument, psaltery, harp". The psaltery was originally made from wood and relied on natural acoustics for sound production.
The psaltery is known for its unique sound, which has been described as haunting, icy, ethereal, and ringing. It produces sound when the strings are plucked or struck with hammers Some psalteries also feature note markers along the right-hand side to help players quickly identify specific notes.
In the context of the Bible, the term "psaltery" is used to denote a kind of bagpipe. However, the specific form of the psaltery used by the Hebrews is not known.
Overall, the psaltery is an ancient musical instrument with a distinctive sound and a rich history in various cultures.
One of the ancestors of the dulcimer, the psaltry was a Medieval instrument, consisting of a soundbox over which a varying number of strings were stretched; these strings were plucked or bowed. The psaltry was similar to the modern zither.
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