Ringing Strings
Bowed
Psalteries
handcrafted by
Rick Long
Clinton, Tennessee
(865) 660-4026
ricklong@ringingstrings.com
Please use the word "psaltery" in the subject of your e-mail. Also include a phone number as a second way for me to contact you.
3-10-2010
Finally have the confirmation of the craft demonstration dates I requested from the Southern Highland Craft Guild. The Events page is where to find this. This is a list of where you can find me throughout the year. When I am demonstrating at the craft shops you will have a chance to see what goes into building the bowed psalteries I create. I'll also be letting anyone try playing the psaltery and help you with the process.
3-9-2010
Well, it seems like the new baritone psaltery is going to be a very popular model. They are selling quicker than I can get them posted on here. I sold the aspen/cherry model today that I had intended to be the first one listed on the website. The good news is that I have two chestnut/walnut baritones that are almost ready. One is finished with the strings just put on it this morning and the other will be strung by tonight.
2-27-2010
Still in Hattiesburg for the dulcimer festival and it's a great time. I would recommend it to anyone. I did get the cases for the new baritone model late last week. I brought one of the two finished baritones with me and sold it within the first few minutes of getting it out of the case. The one that sold was the chestnut/walnut model and I have two more almost complete back at the workshop. When I get back home I'll be listing the aspen/cherry baritone as the first one available on here, the two other chestnut/walnut will be ready in about a week.
Big thanks to Richard for telling folks about the new baritone. He was one of the first to get one of them is great at promoting the bowed psaltery. He was really the one responsible for me selling that chestnut baritone by showing off his new one. Word of mouth really works.
2-26-2010
Hello to all the great folks I am meeting in Hattiesburg this week at the dulcimer festival. The jams are great fun and I am looking forward to teaching my two bowed psaltery workshops on Saturday.
2-19-2010
Four new soprano psalteries listed now with pictures and sound clips.
2-17-2010
The new tenor listings are now complete with pictures, descriptions, and sound clips.
2-16-2010
The pictures and descriptions of the two new tenor psalteries are posted now. The sound clips of them are coming next.
The four new soprano models will be strung today and I hope to list them tomorrow.
I am also starting work on four new curly redwood/walnut tenor psalteries today.
I'll be listing my craft demonstrations on the Events page as soon as I hear back from the Southern Highlands Guild with the approval of my requested dates. I will be at three different craft shops this year. Arrowcraft in Gatlinburg, TN, The Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC, and at Cumberland Crafts at the Cumberland Gap National Park visitors center in Middlesboro, KY. My craft demonstrations include the raw materials and parts of psalteries in progress. I run a video presentation of my building a soprano psaltery from choosing the wood to playing the first song on it. I also will be working on instruments with installing strings, sound hole carving, and bow hairing. I also will be playing songs and inviting anyone that wants to try to play the psaltery. I'm always glad to show you how. Makes me smile to experience someone playing their first song on a bowed psaltery or even their first musical instrument ever.
2-15-2010
Two new videos on the How to Play page. These show two of the baritone bowed psalteries in action, along with a dulcimer. My friends Donna and Richard joined me in my workshop for a Sunday afternoon jam.
I have also added a new page of Favorite Quotes. These are some of my favorite quotes and sayings I have heard or read over the years. Most will pertain to music or the love of it.
2-8-2010
I am adding some new videos to the soprano, tenor, and baritone pages today. These will demonstrate how these psalteries sound and are played.
2-5-2010
First look at the new baritone model. Pictures from the workshop with baritone psalteries in progress and a few finished instruments.
WELCOME
Here in our little corner of the "web" you will find -
- Handcrafted Bowed Psalteries
- Accessories
- Helpful Information
- Pride in Workmanship and Service
Rick has been making bowed psalteries for the past 30 years. A love of music and woodworking began at an early age. At his fathers side, he became familiar with walnut, cherry, cedar and other native American woods. The projects they completed provided the skills required for creating the beautiful instruments you find here today. Quality and service are top priorities.
Please take a moment to browse the site. See the variety of figured woods used. Listen to the samples of Rick's recordings. Visit the workshop and see where these wonderful instruments are made.
We look forward to the opportunity to serve you.
Photo by Robert Batey
Copyright Ringing Strings Music 2004-2010 All Rights Reserved
