Lyre Harp Custom

The lyre harp is a string instrument known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later periods. The lyre is similar in appearance to a small harp but with distinct differences. In organology, lyres are defined as “yoke lutes”, being lutes in which the strings are attached to a yoke that lies in the same plane as the sound-table and consists of two arms and a cross-bar.

In Ancient Greece, recitations of lyric poetry were accompanied by lyre harp playing. The earliest picture of a lyre with seven strings appears in the famous sarcophagus of Hagia Triada . The sarcophagus was used during the Mycenaean occupation of Crete.

The lyre of classical antiquity was ordinarily played by being strummed with a plectrum (pick), like a guitar or a zither, rather than being plucked with the fingers as with a harp. The fingers of the free hand silenced the unwanted strings in the chord. Later instruments, also called “lyres”, were played with a bow in Europe and parts of the Middle East, namely the Byzantine lyra and its descendants.

Harps differ from Lyres in terms of sound, sound production, construction, size, and versatility. A harp is typically much larger than a lyre and may be placed on the floor while a lyre is held in the lap. Harps generally have more strings than a lyre and produce a louder sound due to the instrument's design.

In short: Yes, the lyre (lyre harp) is one of the easiest instruments to learn how to play, even for beginners. What is this? In fact, it is a perfect first instrument to learn. They require minimal effort to play, the sound is soft and quiet, and since they are diatonic you will be able to pick out tunes much quicker.

Arguably 1 to infinity strings, but the vast majority of lyres will have 5-16 strings, above 20 generally being considered large lyres, in some cases held and played much like a small harp, but considered lyres for technical reasons.

With modern hindsight, the lyre is heavily associated with the Ancient civilizations of the Middle East (including the Israelites), Ancient Greece, and the Middle Ages of Europe. Lyres died out in many places, but survived to relatively recent time in Sub-Saharan Africa, parts of the Middle East, Scandinavia (the bowed lyres), and in other small niches.

Yes, the lyre is a very easy instrument to learn how to play, since it is tuned diatonically it will basically sound good whatever you play.

It’s a very simple design, and making notes that sound good is very easy compared to many other instruments.

The lyre is also a very quiet and soft instrument, which means practicing without annoying others will be easy.

The only real issue for most people will be tuning the strings, which you have to do often since it is a string instrument, and it can be very frustrating since most lyres don’t have tuning pegs, but tuning screws based on friction alone.

Similar to the dulcimer, the lyre harp is known for its “sweet and warm” sounds. Traditionally, the lyre harp is held by the musician in his or her lap. A pick (sometimes called a “plectrum”) is used by one hand while the fingers of the other hand silence the strings that are not needed.

Lyre Harps are extremely versatile instruments. They can be used for a wide range of genres, from classical to contemporary.

Lyre Harps are very portable, making them ideal for traveling musicians.

Lyre Harps are relatively affordable, especially when compared to other stringed instruments.

Lyre Harps have a calming, soothing sound that is perfect for relaxation or meditation.

* Ancient Greek, middle eastern and Davidic lyres tend to have around 8 to 11 notes, and often had 10 strings.

* 10 strings are a common style in the marketplace.

* Good for folk music.

The craftsmanship and quality of the instrument is one of the most important things when buying a lyre – or any instrument, for that matter.

You want the lyre to be structurally sound and sturdy, even if the aesthetics aren’t that pleasing to the eye.

But you’re in luck, since you can have both with a lyre harp – it’s easy to find one that’s pleasing to the eye AND made with high quality.

Levers

The next thing to look for on a lyre harp are the levers. Make sure they are great quality and don’t loosen or get stuck.

Strings

This is fairly easy. Determine how many strings you want on your lyre harp. There are typically between 8 and 16 strings on them.

You also want to make sure you can still play all the music that you want to on the ones with a lower string count.

Don’t forget to load up on some backup strings too. When a string goes out of commission, it’s a pretty frustrating feeling to realize you forgot to purchase those extra sets.

Usually, the more you pay, the better quality of harp you’re going to get.

When buying a lyre harp, you should consider factors such as the size, number of strings, material quality, and sound quality.

Some of the best brands for lyre harps include Gecko,Lyon & Healy, Dusty Strings, and Salvi.

You should properly store your lyre harp in a cool and dry place, and make sure to keep it clean and free of dust and moisture.

The best way to learn to play the lyre harp is to find a qualified instructor who can provide lessons and guidance. You can also learn by practicing regularly and studying instructional materials such as books and videos.