Amoroso (Renassaince tune on plucked psaltery)

Amoroso
Giovanni Ambrosio (Gulielmo Ebreo da Pesaro), Practica Seu Arte Tripudii Bulgare Opusculum, c. 1475. Paris, Bibliotheque Nationale, f. Ital. 476
This transcription is by Al Cofrin from his book "Early Period and Popular Dance Music"
I originally bought this psaltery to play in the Society for Creative Anachronism. This was one of the first pieces I was introduced to when I decided to jump into a early music consort group.
P.S.: I re-record this piece on some different psalteries if you are interested: • Amoroso on Western and...

[@DrRussPhd]

There is something magic about a tuned string moving air, regardless of the kind of instrument. This is beautiful, thanks for posting.

[@josephhoward4010]

Do we hear the vibration of the string or the movement of air?

[@maricasatii]

Una belleza!!!! Hemos regalado a nuestro hijo de 3 años este instrumento ahora debo ver como se toca y afina para enseñarle. Y ver este video me emociona mucho. Una belleza todo lo que puede aprender

[@stilted]

Love this! Never would have expected such a beautiful sound and song from something that sits in your lap. Really lovely. :)

[@elizabethkrause1500]

+Simone G Thanks! It is surprisingly beautiful for something so simple.

[@charaev82]

How You tune strings in this song?? Good!)) can You make videolesson of this song?? Please))

[@elizabethkrause1500]

The strings are tuned with the highest note G and the lowest note G with all the notes in between being a diatonic scale in C. (In other words, all the white notes on a piano). If you would like more detailed information, I have a "beginning plucked psaltery" video on my channel.

[@1viva]

I've never seen or heard anyone play like this. It's absolutely Magical & Beautiful!!!♥♥♥

[@user-cp7rz8nn6o]

Ассоциация с церковным колокольным звоном ,почему-то. Очень красиво!

[@ca8547]

Brings me to His kingdom. Thanks!

[@m34nb34n]

dude, ive always loved these, great playing

[@marilynjarrett5652]

lovely playing, beautiful and thrilling at the same time, love it!

[@TheCupcake86]

So beautiful.

[@m.tessvictoria]

Wow. Lovely. Thank you very much for sharing!

[@jennieanderson3928]

That is beautiful ❤

[@lorilsimpson8767]

Enchanting!

[@uncleambient]

Beautiful

[@centurionofgodsarmy8004]

Wonderful

[@DieterLo1]

Super sounds!

[@ryansmith3862]

What a delightful instrument.

[@user-qo6bc3sv1e]

Tchumbalu

[@Kate-E42]

This music is stirring in my heart. I can see how Hades was brought to tears by Orpheus' playing. I know he played a different instrument, but the effect is similar. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@elizabethkrause1500]

Wow, thank you for the complement. I recently re-recorded this tune on a couple of different psalteries if you are interested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oJ7ZaWiqqJ5rfa8

[@eightfingeredhand6112]

Added this to my list for my harp!

[@Deebull]

Beautiful music to my ears. Scrolled down to comment section and my question was answered about the pik used. Will be ordering from link provided...I want to learn to play my harp like this...ooh. Maybe a tutorial from you someday? If not until heaven perhaps☺😇👑to our Lord and Savior. Thank you for your uploads. Dee

[@belkov44]

Браво!

[@radjasiddhi6276]

Arrasou

[@jillgeary3858]

Hi Elizabeth. Thank you for introducing me to the plucked psaltery. I play other instruments but find this psaltery/zither brings so much joy! The first week I owned it I took it to the nursing home where we visit, played it, and they all loved it, so what a blessing! My question is: I too would like to play renaissance pieces on my psaltery. Other than the book you mentioned in your comments, are there resources you could recommend, please? My instrument is currently tuned to Gmaj but could easily be tuned with an F nat. Thank you very much. I look forward to you posting more videos with this instrument, as well as playing renaissance-period music.

[@drp2200]

Would you consider doing 'slowed down' versions and teach how to play these tunes? :) Gorgeous music.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

+Kim Perry I've had enough interest that I'm intending to make a "how to" video to get people started playing these little plucked psalteries. I'll let you know when I get that posted.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

+Kim Perry As I promised, I just posted an instructional video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp-Tg6ahjpVqkKM

[@justinpan1259]

music history bought me hear

[@nevaljawka7]

у меня в детстве была такая Перепёлочка)))

[@poetcomic1]

I WANT TO DO THIS!!!

[@clamordelpueblo5593]

WOW❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@flutingspirit]

Lovely arrangement :)

[@elizabethkrause1500]

+flutingspirit Thanks. I've watched your psaltery videos as well, and I appreciate the compliment from someone who can play the instrument so well himself. :)

[@flutingspirit]

Thanks :) I see you also use Alaska Piks, they're very excellent aren't they ? I've had my one set for a few years now and each one has shaped itself to a particular finger. I am intrigued by that thumb pick you use, is it for a banjo ?

[@elizabethkrause1500]

+flutingspirit Yes, I'm using banjo thumb picks. It's difficult to find left handed thumb picks, but I was able to find the Fred Kelly Delrin Speed for right and left hands: www.stringsandbeyond.com/fred-kelly-speed.html

[@alanfbrookes9771]

Aaah, another one of those Russian Psalteries that they flooded the schools with. Not a bad-sounding instrument to teach kids on.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

It does have a surprisingly nice sound.

[@marigoldmarie2847]

Is there a song sheet for this song? It’s so incredibly beautiful!

[@alanfbrookes9771]

When you buy these mass-produced Russian psalteries they usually come with music diagrams that you slip under the strings.

[@jakemcnamee9417]

Entrancing music.

[@geartweaker8518]

That was a real treat! Makes me wonder historically if they had picks round their fingers like you do, that would be an interesting artefact to own

[@elizabethkrause1500]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. I am pretty sure finger picks like this are not historical. I’m sure they would have just grown out their fingernails. However, there is historical evidence that feather quills were used in the Middle Ages (just hold one in each hand).

[@geartweaker8518]

@@elizabethkrause1500 wow thanks for getting back to me. This is going to send me down a google rabbit hole 🙂

[@elizabethkrause1500]

@@geartweaker8518 Here’s a good start if you are interested in the history of the psaltery: earlymusicmuse.com/psaltery/ I started playing as part of a living history club, so I have done my fair share of Google research as well. ;)

[@geartweaker8518]

@@elizabethkrause1500 brilliant, I'll have a look at that. I'm out for a walk right now listening to a psaltery album on spotify 🙂

[@tunekat8]

This = beautiful. Very Renaissance feeling... What scale are you using here. Is it diatonic or pentatonic tuning? Thank you for posting this!

[@elizabethkrause1500]

I’m glad you enjoyed it. The psaltery is tuned to a diatonic scale with G as the lowest note and G two octaves above for the highest note. Mine is tuned in the key of C, so no sharps or flats.

[@taylorno]

This is Beautiful, how do I learn to be this good?

[@elizabethkrause1500]

Thank you! This is a lot simpler than it seems. I have also played piano for a few decades, so that helps a lot.

[@twokool4skool129]

Well done. Did you add the alternating A/D bass notes, or is that from Al Cofin's transcription?

[@elizabethkrause1500]

One of Al Cofrin's versions includes an alternating D/A throughout the song. I switched it to A/D because I don't have a lower D. The newer editions of Al's dance book only include the melody line.

[@james9789]

Hi Elizabeth if you are seeing this comment, this that was so wonderful thank you I will listen again shortly.May I ask are the entire strings all the same thickness/gauge ? What gauge is it ? I need to restring one I have here, Thank you.What tuning was your instrument in? For this lovely piece.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

I use 0.016" strings for the entire instrument. I tune mine G to G (two octaves higher) just up the diatonic scale. I tune mine in the key of C (no sharps or flats), but you could easily sharpen or flatten certain strings for different keys. Not all psalteries are the same size, so I can't say what will exactly work for yours. My instrument is typical of a lot of small toy psalteries, so it may work for you. Let me know if you have other questions!

[@james9789]

@@elizabethkrause1500 Thanks I did see the answers to my question on some of your other excellent videos.keep enjoying your playing.

[@des8616]

Where do you find the music for this? I have seen the sheets that come with some of these instruments when bought for children, but where do you find the music that shows you both hands? Do you write/transpose it yourself? Do you follow piano music? The sound of this one is just so beautiful!

[@elizabethkrause1500]

I usually use sheet music (or maybe play by ear). Most of the harmonies are made up using a few tricks. In this case, I just alternate between A and D with my left hand for the whole piece (yes, it really is that simple!).

[@redhatlucasc.3646]

don't suppose you can do detailed walk-throughs? I've been fascinated by this instrument and planning on getting it but haven't been able to explore the musical field.

[@alanfbrookes9771]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/b6vJqZ2snLhlgsk

[@paulaulrich722]

What size Alaska picks do you use? Should they fit without feeling too tight? I bought some small and some medium, and both sizes seem to pinch my flesh too much.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

It will depend on your finger size. I have fairly small fingers and use medium sized picks. You want them to be pretty tight, but obviously you don’t want to be in pain or cut off circulation to your finger tips. Honestly, I don’t even use picks anymore. There is more tactile control with bare fingers. The best thing of course would be to use your natural fingernails if you are willing to grow them out (I’m not).

[@connorstewart4833]

Where did you get this exact model from... I am a sitarist and someone gifted me this exact instrument .... I now use it to make electronic music and need another one the same

[@elizabethkrause1500]

I got my instrument second hand, and these are often available at thrift stores or online sites like ebay. But it looks like you can get this same brand new from here: www.lap-harp.com/musicmaker.htm If you are okay paying a little more and having a different brand, the TK O'Brien brand of lap harp is the same size and tuning, but I think the sound and quality is a little bit nicer: easyplayinstruments.com/collections/lap-harps Both instruments are an excellent choice. Enjoy composing your electronic music with the psaltery. It is fun to see all of the things you can do with these little instruments. :)

[@suburbohemian]

@@elizabethkrause1500 Do you have a comparison video of the O'Brien vs the 'kid' one? I have that very model you feature and am considering a 'better' one but would love to hear the difference before investing, ya know? TIA.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

@@suburbohemian I don't think there is a significant improvement between this one and the TK O'Brien psaltery. They are the same size and range and are both lovely. The TK O'Brien is maybe a touch louder, but not much. If you want a more serious psaltery for a good price, I would recommend Jerry Smith's hammered psaltery: www.songofthewood.com/hammeredpsalteries While I haven't played this specific instrument, I do have the very similar hognoses psaltery from harpkit.com (Smith's is clearly a copycat design). Smith's design corrects a lot of faults in the Harp Kit psaltery, and he is a very respected luthier in the hammered dulcimer world. I would expect any instrument he makes to be solid and functional.

[@elizabethkrause1500]

Oh, the "hammered psaltery" is a lot bigger and lower. You can get it in either the key of C or G. If you get the G instrument, it will be exactly one octave lower than these little psalteries.

[@suburbohemian]

@@elizabethkrause1500 Thank you very much!

[@Iceland874]

How many strings does your psaltery have?

[@elizabethkrause1500]

15 strings. From lowest to highest, the tuning is GABCDEFgabcdefg'.

[@Iceland874]

@@elizabethkrause1500 its beautiful! Thanks.

[@djmastermoney4]

Tuning?

[@elizabethkrause1500]

It is tuned (from low to high): GABCDEFGABCDEFG. Just right up the scale, no sharps or flats.

[@Palatidd]

I love the music coming from your right hand but the music being played from the left hand is so repetitive and over powering. It’s grating on the ears. I know you’re playing it right I’m just trying to find what kind of sounds and music I like playing since I have started playing an instrument.

[@marypolk9820]

Beautiful