Kalna Dziesma in C played on the Baltic Psaltery

This is an original tune derived from an old Appalachian folk song. The instrument is a baltic psaltery. It has nine strings. The strings are tuned diatonically from middle C. The longest string is a G and is called a bourdon or drone. I play three chord positions, a C chord, an F chord, and a G9 chord (with missing 3rd). The right hand sets the tempo and plays the melody on the beat. The left hand mutes strings to establish chords. The left hand also embellishes the music by plucking on the "split beat" The baltic psaltery is also called kantele, kannel, kankles, kokle, and gusli.