This is my favorite instrument. The sound is very much like a harp. It is very similar in appearance to a zither. That is to say a rectangular sound box with a diagonal bridge supporting sixteen strings. It is played by plucking the string with the fingers and thumbs of either or both hands.

The internal frame is rock maple, the bridge is rosewood and the sound boards and sides are of paduk. It is tuned to the key of C in two octaves, in the diatonic mode. But is easily changed to other keys as each string can be tuned up or down a semi-tone. Included with each instrument is a tuning wrench, a cloth carrying bag, general information and instruction about tuning.

This is a very portable harp-like instrument. You can play it cradled in the crook of your arm, see the photo on the front page. Beginners will sound great after just a few hours of practice. It can also be played with two hands if you lay it on your lap or a table. Both harp players and aspiring harp players love playing this simple instrument. The sound is surprisingly "big" for so small an instrument.

Using this instrument, I have created a professional quality cassette tape The Bard's Journey it is forty three minutes long and was digitally mastered. The ten instrumental compositions are completely original.

Hear the plucked psatry in MP3 format (363 KB)

This mp3 file provides 22 seconds of high quality sound.