Psalmodikon

The psalmodicon (also spelled psalmodikon or salmodikon) is a unique single-stringed musical instrument originating in Scandinavia during the early 19th century. Developed to simplify the accompaniment of hymns in churches and schools, it served as an affordable alternative to the organ or the fiddle, especially in rural churches that could not afford more costly instruments. The psalmodicon was particularly valued for its melodic quality and versatility, as it could be either plucked or bowed.

History and Development

The origins of the psalmodicon are often attributed to the Swedish Lutheran priest Johan Dillner (1785–1862), who promoted the instrument to help standardize music in churches. Dillner published a book of siffernotskrift (numerical notation) for hymns in 1830, which made it easier for those without formal musical training to play church music. Though Dillner popularized the instrument, historical evidence suggests that it was first developed in Denmark around 1820 before spreading throughout Scandinavia. It was embraced by rural communities across Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark and was later brought to the United States by Scandinavian immigrants.

In Norway, the psalmodicon gained particular traction due to the efforts of music educator Lars Roverud, who traveled the country in the 1830s and 1840s promoting the instrument for use in schools and churches. The instrument remained popular in rural communities until churches could afford organs, at which point it began to fall out of favor. Despite this decline, the psalmodicon retains a small but dedicated following, particularly among Nordic-Americans who seek to preserve this fascinating aspect of their musical heritage.

Construction and Design

The psalmodicon is typically composed of a long wooden box, with a chromatic fretboard featuring up to around 25 semitone positions. The most common variants have a single string made of metal or gut (modern versions may use nylon). Advanced models might feature additional bourdon strings that could be used to add depth to the sound, and earlier versions sometimes had sympathetic strings that vibrated in resonance with the main string, enriching the overall tone.

Many versions of the psalmodicon had numbers painted on the fretboard that corresponded to numbers printed above the lyrics in hymn books, allowing players who could not read standard musical notation to accompany hymns easily. This system, known as siffernotskrift, made the psalmodicon accessible to a wider audience, particularly in rural congregations. The instrument’s modest construction, often handmade from local materials, meant it was inexpensive to produce and easy to maintain, further adding to its popularity.

Distribution and Variants

Though the psalmodicon is most closely associated with Scandinavia, it also made its way into neighboring regions where it evolved in interesting ways. In Lithuania, the instrument is known as the manikarka, and in Latvia it is called vienstīdzis or manihorka. A two-string version called the ģīga or divstīdzis also emerged in Latvian folk music. In Estonia, the instrument is referred to as the moldpill or mollpill, while in Finland it is known as the virsikantele.

In the United States, the psalmodicon was brought over by Scandinavian immigrants and still retains a following among Nordic-Americans. The Nordic-American Psalmodikonforbundet is an organization dedicated to promoting and preserving the use of the psalmodicon, offering tutorials and producing recordings to keep this unique instrument alive.