The beloved hymn
"Nearer My God, to Thee" by Lowell Mason is presented here as a flowing, peaceful instrumental duet (for BOWED PSALTERY solo with PIANO accompaniment). The PSALTERY part was designed for a beginning psaltery player and includes only 2 flats; B below middle C and B above middle C. The piano accompaniment is at the early-intermediate level.
To assist those new to reading music notation, two solo parts are included: one is the standard music notation and includes the lyrics for sing along enjoyment. The second solo part is identical to the standard music but instead of lyrics, the note names are provided below each note (example A, B, C).
The PSALTERY plays the melody for the first verse and most of the second verse. There are a couple short phrases during the second verse where the PIANO plays the melody and the PSALTERY provides the harmony. The first verse is in the key of C major. For the second verse, the PIANO transitions up to the key of F major during a short interlude.
A piano accompaniment and/or rehearsal track (MP3 format) is available for this arrangement as a separate purchase:
"Nearer My God, to Thee (Piano Accompaniment Track for Easy Bowed Psaltery Solo)."The range of a typical soprano psaltery is two octaves beginning with the G above middle C (G4). However, since some psalteries have fewer than 25 strings, the range for this song is only 1-1/2 octaves. Also, the notes are written an octave lower on the staff so they are easier to read and learn for beginner musicians.
The notated range for this song is G3 (first G below middle C) to D5 (second D above middle C).The purchase price includes a combined score (grand staff, 3-stave) with both parts (PSALTERY and PIANO) on each page, plus 2 options for the 1-staff solo part (one with lyrics, one with alphabetic note names). The solo part could also be played by other instruments with the same range such as a violin.