How to play hog nose psaltry

Subject: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Sharon
Date: 12 Jan 98 - 04:45 PM

I recieved a hog nose psaltry for Christmas. Information I have says they were actually used during the Rennaissance and Baroque eras. My question is, were they at that time played as people now play a lap harp, or would it more correctly be played held as one plays folk style autoharp? This will govern how I teach myself to play harmony: laying down using both hands, or holding up plucking melody and harmony with right hand. Thanks for your help.

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: DrWord
Date: 13 Jan 98 - 02:26 PM

I have a pig-snout psaltery, too. In many old pictures, the instrument is held like an autoharp. Hope this helps.

Dennis

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Jan 98 - 06:01 PM

Is this another one of those noise flute threads???? That 'snot what I was looking for....
-Joe Offer (I couldn't resist)-

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Joe Offer
Date: 13 Jan 98 - 06:02 PM

....but I suppose I could type "nose flute" right, if I tried really hard.....

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Jen
Date: 13 Jan 98 - 08:03 PM

Oh, and I thought you were affecting a Brooklynese accent. *grin*

Jen

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: sharon
Date: 13 Jan 98 - 09:51 PM

and how do you hold yours, Dr W. ?

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Jon W.
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 10:32 AM

The Musicmaker's catalog, which sells kits for this and other accoustic stringed instruments, states "Picking your hog-nose in public is socially acceptable." Direct all groans to [e-mail]. Seriously, they also sell books so email them to see if they have a book on playing the Hog-nose psaltery. Or phone [phone] or [phone].

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: DrWord
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 02:51 PM

Sharon: Treble strings down, in my left arm, kinda like a baby... just find a posture that's comfy, that's my philosophy! Because it has a fairly soft voice, I have to hog the microphone...

Dennis

Subject: RE: How to play hog nose psaltry
From: Sharon
Date: 14 Jan 98 - 05:26 PM

DrWord: Yes, I tried it and that works quite well.I'd previously tried cradling it in my left arm, but had the treble strings up..........I'll have to recondition my brain to reverse this......... Thanks. Any other pointers. Do you play harmony as you play it, plucking a couple srings at the same time? What tunes have you found that lend themselves well to being played upon the psaltry?

(Do you also have a bowed psaltry?}