"psaltery"의 정의 및 의미

What is a "psaltery"?

A psaltery is an ancient stringed instrument that consists of a flat, wooden soundboard with strings stretched across it. The strings are either plucked with the fingers or a plectrum, or sometimes played with a bow. The psaltery can have different shapes, including triangular, rectangular, or trapezoidal, and it produces a clear, resonant sound. It was widely used in medieval and Renaissance music, often to accompany singing or other instruments. The psaltery is considered a precursor to the harpsichord and zither, and its simple yet melodic tones make it a distinctive part of early music traditions.