Ancient Greek Lyre -Tutorial - Nikos Xanthoulis How to play and compose for the ancient lyre

[@AaronGlenn88]

Now I understand when the scriptures say praise the lord and play skillfully upon a Lyre!! Thank you for opening my understanding and sharing your passion for this instrument

[@petercane6376]

I am humbled to listen to such a master Lyre player and most knowledgable musician. The more I research this instrument the more it intrigues me with its history, scale notation and why!!! Its a life time study that I have missed. At age 73 I will take up the Lyre. It calls me and I will be able to play it. I have ordered your valuable book Dr Xanthousis. Thank you for everything especially your passion. If you have no passion you well never be able to play the Lyre well.

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you so much!

[@rosafragorapti7lyre]

Finally a wonderful demonstration of a magical instrument; seven string lyre, the symbol of Music Art! Thank you maestro!

[@georgebekas8364]

A perfection of an instrument passed down from the ancients

[@georgebekas8364]

And forgot to say in the hands off a master

[@nikolasjames6217]

Dear Maestro Nikos! This brings me great joy: to see the unthought of versatility of this magical instrument in the hands of someone who has so lovingly attended to it! I am excited to compose for it, even so late as I happen to be coming to it---I will thoroughly enjoy imagining new compositions for it, and will treasure the opportunity as a special honor. Bravo! ---Nikolas James.

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you so much dear Nikolas!

[@shinp0pp0]

This is so far the best introduction of this legendary instrument. Respect for your dedication of research, experiment and creativity. It's a very inspirational personal story as well. (I enjoyed the greek accented english narration as well, it's like a very calming story telling :D) Bravo for reviving this great instrument!!!👏👏👏

[@AlexKemos]

My dear teacher, I admire your patience all these years to complete this journey. Definitely worth it !!

[@carlosmacmartin4205]

Amazing performance and lecture. 👏🏼 Bravo, Maestro Nikos. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏽 Sending warmest greetings from the San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA 🇺🇸

[@jimbuxton2187]

Beautiful and much more versatile then previously thought.. we should all still be playing this wonderful musical instrument....

[@kathleenborsch1312]

You have completely opened my eyes to this instrument, its capabilities and its beauty! Thank you. I can definitely imagine it used with an orchestra. A lyre concerto - I can almost hear it! I have an interest in stringed folk instruments, but I intend to learn more about the Greek lyre. Beautiful!

[@quietcreative8759]

Dear Nikos, you are the melody of our times🎉

[@russellwilliams2898]

NOW, I have an immense appreciation for the Lyre. Thank you for my enlightenment.

[@rosazjc]

a wonderful moment with yu and the lyra Nikos thank you for your invitation to compose something for this fascinating instrument

[@ROOIBOSTEE]

Unique, very beautiful sound.Thank you.

[@alexgabriel5423]

Many Thanks and Respect for your dedication to bring to light the Ancient Lyre...it may have been the same shown in the lyre player of the Cyclades...

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thanks so much Alex!

[@richclarke1523]

Yes, in the way that other lyre nearby will vibrate in the same frequencies.

[@ΣάββαςΡακιντζάκης]

Θερμά συγχαρητήρια, αγαπητέ Νίκο! Πάντα ευγνώμων για τις πρότερες συνεργασίες μας και σε αναμονή των επόμενων! Καλή και δημιουργική χρονιά!!!

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Σ' ευχαριστώ πολύ Σάββα μου πολύτιμε!

[@VeroniqueBraccoComposer]

merci pour cette vidéo passionnante et ces informations précieuses Nikos! Quel beau travail et quel merveilleux instrument ! J'espère réussir à faire une pièce digne de sa beauté de son et de son Histoire, ainsi que de votre talent. Je ferai de mon mieux en tout cas :) Merci encore !

[@NikosXanthoulis]

J attends votre pièce avec beacoup de joie et d' impatience!

[@alexgabriel5423]

A lyre or actually a harp like a bow with an opening away from the player is still in use among the Ossetians in N Caucasus...they are the descendants of the Scythians...they still speak an Iranic language. In Iran the Chang very similar to the Ossetian instrument is considered now a 'dead' instrument. The Bezmara group in Istambul still uses the Chang in pieces in which this Persian instrument is played...

[@leandroscorieltauvorum]

Μπράβο, Νίκο! Last time I was visiting friends in Greece we had a go at mixing the lyre with classical guitar and Pontian lyra with interesting results!

[@alexgabriel5423]

Could you upload that? The Pontian lyre may be an instrument of the kouretes...the koureres dance exists there. The kouretes defended Dionysus from the Titans...a story that appears to be different from the Theogony of Hesiod. I m referring to the Theogony of Thracian Orpheus.

[@Mindsi]

I am convinced that they were designed to be played in echo chambers - large stone halls or caves to,amplify the sound

[@bettinajoydeguzman1981]

Wonderful, Νίκο μου!!

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you Bettina mou, you can find the link here: kzbin.info?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbklaa0NLeEJZb1FYZTZEdEZUeDNFTDhjTl95QXxBQ3Jtc0trVmsxdHQ1dUFVZmdrRVZoTVRnTTJXeGY0NjhkdzFOZG04d1oxRUZQTkI1ZGkwcWltSkxFVkRHTzctVjduUENLcTlXMDRHb2tMSjhNTng0SnJnT3VHRDV4Y05ST2hpamhtV1YyYkJMUXQ1Tk9ROGg3QQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.politeianet.gr%2Fbooks%2F9790801150943-xanthoulis-nikos-ekdoseis-orfeos-edition-orpheus-olokliromeni-methodos-tis-archaias-ellinikis-luras-diglossi-ekdosi-ellinika-agglika-327600

[@wildfeather]

OPA! ! ... About to stretch a goatskin on a wonderful instrument I'm making. Looking so forward to continuing to learn from you on the refinements of the lyre and it's versatility.

[@Dionysaras29]

What a wonderful tutorial! I would be honoured to play a duet with you with the violin

[@clikerhappy]

this is mind blowing, thank you

[@alexgabriel5423]

In Ossetia, north of Georgia, the Ossetians have a small harp that looks like a D without the straight line. The instrument must be of Ancient origin because it has the same shape as the Persian Chang and as the Egyptian ancient harp seen in paintings. The Ossetians are the descendants of the Scythians. Thracian Orpheus used the Anatolian harp as written in Ancient Greek sources.

[@Mindsi]

Yes would be interesting to play with the al oud! Low D Arabic style!

[@TravelWithTerahTX]

Ok, gotta get one of these! So ❤️!

[@c-rafun194]

Where such a beautifull instrument can be found?

[@fringillus1]

Either handcrafted by a professional instrument maker like Luthieros, which sadly costs a furtune or you just start building them yourself which is what I am currently doing. I already made a greek Tibia and Kithara and planing on doing a greek lute with a turtle shell resonator from a fresco.

[@joalexsg9741]

Efharisto poli for this enchanting performance❤ 😊

[@musmich]

Bravo!

[@zzausel]

Of course I think this instrument can sound along to others, especially voice and flute (and bowed instruments), as well as alternating with a teller. Piano won't be the best idea.

[@sofiagioldasi1668]

Νίκο μου, πόσα συγχαρητήρια σου αξίζουν για αυτό το έργο ζωής!... είναι καταπληκτικό που ουσιαστικά έχτισες την πρώτη μέθοδο για να μπορέσει κανείς να διδαχθεί αυτό το όργανο, να ανακαλύψει μία τεχνική για να μπορεί να το παίξει και μαζί με αυτό γεννιέται ένας ολόκληρος καινούργιος κόσμος ρεπερτορίου ειδικά για αυτό το όργανο, με νέες προοπτικές και ενδιαφέρον για συνθέτες και ακροατές. Για εμένα όμως, ένα από τα πιο εντυπωσιακά πράγματα στην αναβίωση αυτού του οργάνου, ξέρεις ποιό είναι; Κάτι που πραγματικά με αφήνει άφωνη και δεν θα το περίμενα... Το κούρδισμα που έχεις πετύχει μέσα από την τεχνική που έχεις αναπτύξει! Πολλοί από μας έχουμε εμπειρία με "παλιά" όργανα, από της εποχής της Αναγέννησης ή του Μεσαίωνα, και ξέρουμε πόσο δύσκολο είναι κατασκευαστικά να καταφέρουν να κουρδίσουν (σε όποιο "σύστημα", δεν έχει σημασία). Όσο σύγχρονη κι αν είναι η κατασκευή τους, το κούρδισμα -από κατασκευαστικής άποψης-παραμένει ένας μπελάς. Βέβαια, αυτό μεγενθύνεται σε άλλα όργανα, (όπως πχ στα ξύλινα πνευστά, που εμένα μου ακούγονται μονίμως φάλτσα), αλλά και στα έγχορδα/νυκτά ο εκτελεστής έχει μία συνεχή ταλαιπωρία. Από εμένα ένα μεγάλο μπράβο, ΚΑΙ για την κατασκευαστική επιτυχία, αλλά ΚΑΙ για την αρτιότητα την τονικής ορθότητας που πέτυχες μέσα από την τεχνική, πράγμα που υποδηλώνει άπειρες ώρες μελέτης... ΕΥΓΕ!

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Σοφία μου σ' ευχαριστώ για τα καλά σου λόγια! Η κατασκευαστική επιτυχία οφείλεται στον ευφυή Νικόλα Μπρά nikolaosbrass.com/ και στα παιδιά του Ηρακλή και Σωκράτη που τον ακολουθούν κατά πόδας. Αυτό που θίγεις για το κούρδισμα είναι πολύ σημαντικό. Όμως εδώ ας σημειωθεί ότι το όργανο από τη φύση του είναι σωστό, στο βαθμό που είναι σωστές και οι αρμονικές. Το χόρδισμα είναι εξαιρετικά εύκολη διαδικασία: λα-ρε, λα-μι ρε-σολ, σολ-ντο, ντο-φα, φα-σιb (ή μι-σι φυσικό ). Η μικρή έκταση της έβδομης λα-σολ που δημιουργείται από τις ανοικτές χορδές συμπυκνώνει και τις αρμονικές οι οποίες δεν ξεφεύγουν τόσο σε έκταση που να φτάσουν να φαλτσάρουν έντονα, είναι στο πλαίσιο που το ανθρώπινο αυτί τις ακούει σωστές. Γι αυτόν τον λόγο, αφενός το οργανο είναι κουρδισμένο φυσικά, αφετέρου οι ανοικτές χορδές δεν ανοίγουν την έκταση στο σημείο να ακούγεται φάλτσο.

[@sofiagioldasi1668]

@@NikosXanthoulis Σε ευχαριστώ θερμά για την διευκρινιστική σου απάντηση! Εύχομαι όλο και περισσότερος κόσμος να γνωρίσει αυτό το υπέροχο όργανο! Πάντα επιτυχίες Νίκο μου!

[@danterosati]

amazing!, now we can see how the ancient kithara may have been played by the famous virtuosi of the Classical Period! How are you tuning the open strings? Pythagorean? Archytas? Aristoxenus? Would love to hear you playing in enharmonic genus!

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you Dante, I tune my lyre very simply, through 5hts and 4ths. We could say that it is an Aristoxanean tuning. So, it comes an A natural minor or (if I decide to have a Bb) a D natural minor. As for the enharmonic genus this is the link you may listen to kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGa9dWaMe6t8eLM

[@jeronimoescobar4858]

Beautiful! Is there any place where I could purchase such a lyre? ευχαριστώ.

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Nicolaos Bras laboratory. Another laboratory is PALMOS.

[@bettinajoydeguzman1981]

Is there a link where to get the book?

[@MultiEleftherios]

Καταπληκτικό...!!!!!!

[@alexgabriel5423]

Could the lyre be actually Re mi fa sol la si do re? Because Re seems to be the tonic in ancient Ireland as well as the start note in PA Vou Ga di ke zo ni of the Byzantine scale...the Byzantine modes are the hypo forms of the Ancient modes...

[@NikosXanthoulis]

It could have whatever tuning i decide

[@lavoiedesbardes9373]

J’habite en Bretagne armoricaine et nous avons nous aussi une lyre dont la représentation a été trouvé dans un village breton du nom de Paule. J’ai une reproduction de cet intrument et même si mon instrument de prédilection est la harpe celtique , la lyre gauloise comme ses sœurs grecques ou saxonnes sont des instruments qui ont une connotation sacré et sont avant tout des supports du verbe et du chant.😂

[@scottkeenan6339]

That's how the pros do it 💥🤙

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thanks Scott!

[@AdlerMow]

There was 8 string lyre in ancient greece, or the limit was 7 strings? How is the 7 string lyre tuned? Seven different notes, or six notes and the octave?

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Hi, there is a legend that during the Music competition of Karneia in Sparta, a Lyrodos stepped up to the podium with an 8 string lyre in hands. The Ephorus of Sparta approached and told him: "I will cut one of your strings. Choose, from right or from left"? It is well known that it was the great musicians (and after the second half of 5th c. BC) who added strings and played with more than seven. We don't have enough evidence for the tuning. I suggest a full scale (whichever we decide. Don't forget the music theory books that provide us with much information about it) because I can handle the harmonics adding more than 3 octaves to the range of the instrument. Thanks for the nice questions

[@flittedacrossmybrain8584]

I want to learn the instrument, and I want to purchase a good one.

[@NikosXanthoulis]

If you want information, please contact me through my site www.nikosxanthoulis.com

[@poetharpist]

Wonderful! Is the book in english?

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you! Yes, the book is bilingual: English and Greek. www.politeianet.gr/books/9790801150943-xanthoulis-nikos-ekdoseis-orfeos-edition-orpheus-olokliromeni-methodos-tis-archaias-ellinikis-luras-diglossi-ekdosi-ellinika-agglika-327600

[@poetharpist]

@@NikosXanthoulis thank you so much!!! Im looking forward in buying me a 7 string lyre, as a harpist it is quiet something to look forward in,but still it is alot New and overwealming, you gave me alot of hope through one Video, and now through your method! Thank you for All that work! Yozr a great lyreist🥰

[@kjurpjdpihe9096]

My name is Orphée, just because of that i wanna learn how to play the lyre... If a 9 strings lyre was created, what notes do you thing should they be?

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Hi Orphee, in any case I would have the 7notes of a scale and I would have two more notes that don't belong to the scale I tuned the 7 strings. In this way I could have some easier transpositions for example: abcdefg Bd and C#

[@kjurpjdpihe9096]

@@NikosXanthoulis yeah i see, those are great with this type of pagan music.

[@alexgabriel5423]

Can you show a close up of the object that you use to make the harmonics, please?

[@foljs5858]

It's not any special object, it's the pick which he uses for everything else too. The harmonics are all about where you hit and where you press with the other finger, the tool is not necessary (a regular guitar pick would do)

[@igloo8647]

you use roughly the same techniques as you would with a guitar

[@cebzferreira7320]

Hi Master! I was curious about the hands playing technique of the 15 strings lyre, compared to the 7 strings lyre... Is it the same? As if i was wanting to learn to play a 15 string, but studying about 7 string... Would it work? Thanks so much in advance and congrats on being a successful person !

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Dear Cebz, no, it is not the same. More than 7 strings creates many problems when you have to deal with the plectrum. The polychordia (having many strings) in antiquity was a problem. My method is based on 7 strings

[@cebzferreira7320]

@@NikosXanthoulis Much Appreciated!

[@blipblip88]

SImple instrument, but what exactly was played? Who knows. It's fun to speculate.

[@mustamuri]

🎶✨🧸✨🎶 👶👏❤️

[@marciopereirasoaresmarciop9350]

referring to cantata147. amazing! I can't imagine that it was possible to play a song like that on a 7-string lyre, I was surprised by the techniques. Congratulations. what is the material of the strings?

[@NikosXanthoulis]

Thank you so much for your kind words! The material of the specific strings is nyl-gut.

[@Dionysaras29]

What a wonderful tutorial! I would be honoured to play a duet with you with the violin