Here is my home built Scandinavian Psalmodicon

[David Smith]

I have built a simple one string Scandinavian Psalmodicon. Here is a video of what my it sounds like. I am bowing it but it can also be plucked. The Psalmodicon was originally designed to aid singing in churches that were too poor to own an organ. A numbering system was also developed to help the novice congregants to hear the melody. You will notice that I am also using a number board that I flip over for the second song. As for playing, the fingering is a little awkward and bowing requires just the right touch to get a good tone. I was worried that the sawtooth fretboard would be difficult to fret, but it is no more difficult than a fretboard with metal frets.
Enjoy,
David Smith

http://youtu.be/AgkWo0y5Q5c

[Simon Chadwick]

Very nice! There's a photo and brief description in Rauno Nieminen's "Jouhikko" book of a version with a shorter 2nd drone string, from Finland, called 'harppu'. It is bowed with a shorter, lightwr, finger-tensioned bow - I think you would get a much better sound and find it easier with a bow like that, rather than a violin bow.

[Bob Francis]

Thanks David I've been waiting for this!
Bob