Here is an easy instrumental duet arrangement (for BOWED PSALTERY solo with PIANO accompaniment) of the familiar Appalachian folk tune
THE WATER IS WIDE (O Waly Waly). Many lyrics have been set to this famous tune, but this arrangement uses the lyrics penned by Isaac Watts titled
"When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." The psaltery part was designed for a beginning psaltery player and is written in the key of F major with only 1 flat (B = A). The piano accompaniment is at the early-intermediate level. The PSALTERY plays the melody for both verses but for the second verse the PSALTERY plays the melody as an echo.
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 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 octave. 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 C4 (middle C) to C5 (one octave 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 in standard notation, one with alphabetic note names). The solo part could also be played by other instruments with the same range such as a violin.
A piano accompaniment and/or rehearsal track (MP3 format) is available for this arrangement as a separate purchase: "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross (Piano Accompaniment Track for Easy Bowed Psaltery Solo)."