Psalterium (instrument)

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Psalterium
Psalterium
Classification

String instrument
Playing range

Drone (music)
Related instruments

Hammered dulcimer, Tabor, Psaltery, Zither, Aeolian harp

Psalterium is a stringed musical instrument, and means the same thing as psaltery. In specific usage, this name denotes a form of long psaltery that is tuned to provide drone chords. Sometimes called a string drum, it is usually used as self-accompaniment with a form of tabor pipe.[1] It is also known as tambourin de Béarn[2] in French, ttun-ttun (IPA: /cun'cun/, named after the sound emitted) in Basque or chicotén in Aragonese. Some authors have called into question the inclusion of the Pyrenean stringed drum under the name of psalterium[3].

Contents

[edit] Method

It is held in the arm of a player who uses the same hand to play the pipe, while striking the strings with a stick held in the other hand.

[edit] Extent and uses

The instrument is currently widespread in the western Pyrenees, and it bears the hallmark of the territory. Apparently invented in the 15th century, it came into use in the Pyrenees, where it took hold[4]. It is popular in the easternmost Basque county of Soule (Zuberoa), where it provides along with the three hole flute (xirula) the necessary musical background for traditional dance performances and the carnival set of performances called maskarada, which takes place on a yearly basis in different villages of the county[5].

After losing ground during the 20th century in western and central Pyrenees, namely Bigorre, Béarn and Soule, the practice of the three hole flute and tambourin came almost to a halt after World War II, except for the Ossau Valley in Béarn[6]. Evidence has been gathered also that with different names (such as salterio) it was played along with the flute early in the 20th century in small areas of Alto Aragón[7]. From the 1970's on, the instrument has shown renewed vitality.

[edit] Construction

It is a very simple form of psaltery or box zither, made of a wooden sounding box, with strings stretched from end to end, lengthwise. Its construction is similar to that of the Aeolian harp. The Pyrenean version of the instrument numbers 4 to 10 strings.

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Musical Instruments. Wood-n-Bone. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
  2. ^ Musical Instruments. Wood-n-Bone. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
  3. ^ Some notes on the Pyrenean Stringed Drum with five musical examples. Euskonews&Media. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.
  4. ^ Mixel ETXEKOPAR & François ROSSÉ Une certaine Soule musique. ETHNOTEMPOS. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. Article in French
  5. ^ Instruments de la Música Tradicional Basca. de bat a. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. Article in Catalan
  6. ^ Flutes et Tambourin de Cordes, Flabutas et Tamborin. Son d'Aquí. Retrieved on 2008-01-28. Article in French
  7. ^ Some notes on the Pyrenean Stringed Drum with five musical examples. Euskonews&Media. Retrieved on 2008-01-29.