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a stringed musical instrument featuring a flat wooden soundboard with strings stretched across it, traditionally played by plucking or striking the strings
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.
