Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Chronicles 15:21

"and Mattithiah, and Eliphelehu, and Mikneiah, and Obed-edom, and Jeiel, and Azaziah, with harps set to the Sheminith, to lead." — 1 Chronicles 15:21 (ASV)

The six lute-players.

With harps on the Sheminith. — “ With lutes (or lyres) in the bass.” Literally, after the mode of the eighth —i.e., an octave below the tenor— al ottava bassa.

To excel. — To lead the orchestra, to precent. (Compare to Psalm 6:0, heading.)