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Psalterium (instrument)
Encyclopedia
A psalterium sɒlˈtɪəriəm, or tambourin à cordes, is a stringed musical instrument, the name of which means the same thing as the one of 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 rhythm accompaniment with a form of tabor pipe. It is also known as tambourin de Béarn in French, ttun-ttun (/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.
, 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. It is popular in the easternmost Basque province 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 former viscounty.
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. 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 High Aragon
. From the 1970's on, the instrument has shown renewed vitality.
or Appalachian dulcimer
. The Pyrenean version of the instrument numbers 4 to 10 strings but 3 sets of 2 (6 total) is the common arrangement.
Psaltery
A psaltery is a stringed musical instrument of the harp or the zither family. The psaltery of Ancient Greece dates from at least 2800 BC, when it was a harp-like instrument...
. In specific usage, this name denotes a form of long psaltery that is tuned to provide drone
Drone
-Nature:The male sex of social Hymenopterans, such as a* Drone * male wasp* male ant-Chemicals:An abbreviation referring to one of two psychoactive drugs:* Mephedrone* 4-Methoxymethcathinone, commonly known as methedrone-Vehicles:...
chords. Sometimes called a string drum, it is usually used as rhythm accompaniment with a form of tabor pipe. It is also known as tambourin de Béarn in French, ttun-ttun (/cun'cun/, named after the sound emitted) in Basque
Basque language
Basque is the ancestral language of the Basque people, who inhabit the Basque Country, a region spanning an area in northeastern Spain and southwestern France. It is spoken by 25.7% of Basques in all territories...
or chicotén in Aragonese
Aragonese language
Aragonese is a Romance language now spoken in a number of local varieties by between 10,000 and 30,000 people over the valleys of the Aragón River, Sobrarbe and Ribagorza in Aragon, Spain...
.
Some authors have called into question the inclusion of the Pyrenean stringed drum under the name of psalterium.
Method
It is slung on the arm or over the shoulder of a player who uses the same hand to play the pipe, while striking the strings with a linen covered stick held in the other hand. The 6 strings (3 sets) are most often tuned in octaves that match the keynote of the Tabor pipe, such as Cc Cc Cc or Dd Dd Dd etc. This musical percussion is quite pleasant and can be played pianisimo as well as forte'.Extent and uses
The instrument is currently widespread in the western PyreneesPyrenees
The Pyrenees is a range of mountains in southwest Europe that forms a natural border between France and Spain...
, 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. It is popular in the easternmost Basque province of Soule
Soule
Soule is a former viscounty and French province and part of the present day Pyrénées-Atlantiques département...
(Zuberoa), where it provides along with the three hole flute (xirula
Xirula
The xirula xülüla in Zuberoan Basque; Gascon: flabuta; French: galoubet) is a small three hole flute usually made of wood akin to the Basque txistu or three-hole pipe, but more high pitched and strident, tuned to C and an octave higher than the silbote. The sound that flows from the flute has often...
) the necessary musical
Music
Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...
background for traditional dance performances and the carnival set of performances called maskarada
Maskarada (carnival of Soule)
The maskarada is a popular set of traditional, theatrical performances that take place annually during the time of carnival in the Basque region of Soule, France...
, which takes place on a yearly basis in different villages of the former viscounty.
After losing ground during the 20th century in western and central Pyrenees, namely Bigorre
Bigorre
Bigorre is region in southwest France, historically an independent county and later a French province, located in the upper watershed of the Adour, on the northern slopes of the Pyrenees, part of the larger region known as Gascony...
, 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
Ossau Valley
The Ossau Valley is a valley of the French Pyrénées, in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département.- Administration :...
in Béarn. 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 High Aragon
High Aragon
Alto Aragon refers to the northern-most territories of Aragon, flanking the Pyrenees...
. From the 1970's on, the instrument has shown renewed vitality.
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 harpAeolian harp
An aeolian harp is a musical instrument that is "played" by the wind. It is named for Aeolus, the ancient Greek god of the wind. The traditional aeolian harp is essentially a wooden box including a sounding board, with strings stretched lengthwise across two bridges...
or Appalachian dulcimer
Appalachian dulcimer
The Appalachian dulcimer is a fretted string instrument of the zither family, typically with three or four strings. It is native to the Appalachian region of the United States...
. The Pyrenean version of the instrument numbers 4 to 10 strings but 3 sets of 2 (6 total) is the common arrangement.