How to play the lyre; lesson 1 - Tuning and Basic Chords

[@anaels7758]

Thanks for spending time on this tutorial. Not so much content available online for this instrument.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! :)

[@e.conboy4286]

This is fascinating. ! Thank you for your demonstrations. .

[@cheythegemini]

Thank you! I just got my first lyre 2 months ago and I’ve been playing around with it. But I’ve been wanting to take it more seriously. I appreciate your video!

[@CasperOng]

Really helpful on whether I should invest in a lyre!!!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thank you for watching! Even tho these Germanic lyres have only 6 strings, you can do all kinds of cool techniques on them! :)

[@michaeljking]

Beautifully clear presentation and wonderfully played, thanks for doing this!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

And yhank YOU for showing me the chords (and for the lyre... still love this one to bits) ps we're visiting Sutton Hoo again in may, and this time we'll be playing music at the gravesite and checking out your beautiful replica at the visitor centre! :D

[@piotrgowacki4226]

Great lesson! I'm waiting for more!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thank you Piotr, there will be a lot more stuff coming up! :)

[@piotrgowacki4226]

@@MoroLyreMusic That's incredible because my Trossingen lyre is on its way and there are no hints how to strum, pluck (efficiently) and change patterns anywhere. Thanks!

[@williammcdonald5086]

It’s nice to be able to play chords to accompany other instruments.

[@leslieakentwildart2778]

Thank you for this tutorial. My blind son has just taken ownership of a replica Trossingen Lyre made by Patrick at Chants of Yore (Etsy) and your chords are so clearly described he is off practising them now! This really is a helpful workshop. Thank you for recording it.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

You are very welcome! :)

[@ashleylondono7004]

I really appreciate you taking the time to teach this, I've been looking into lyre harp playing because i love the way it sounds but I didn't know if It would be easy or if there was any good tutorials on it, then I stumbled on your video and your explanations are so clear so I'm sure that if I do get one, it won't be as difficult as I imaged. 🤩

[@alanderson749]

i'm about to try to craft one myself and this would be very usefull thanks!

[@keilana6]

Thanks so much. Totally clueless on how to play chords on lyre. Been a long time since I played a violin or piano. This gives me some understanding about playing chords. Now I have to practice technique. Most helpful 🙂🎶You Tube video.

[@tibfox]

Great tutorial and exactly what I needed :) thank you!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Our pleasure!

[@ptitenature7828]

It helped me a lot! Thank you!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

You are very welcome, P'tite! :)

[@awatt6088]

I just got a 16 string lyre today. Anywhere I can find tutorials on 16 string?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Adrienne, sorry for the late reply! I don't know where to find tutorials for the 16 string, but I'm sure there will be some good stuff around... somewhere! You could try out the lyre group that we are part of, on facebook 'The Lyre' there's lot's of people with all kinds of lyres there! Cheers, Spike and Ilja

[@uclenjo]

Hi Adrienne, my name is Lenore and I just purchased myself a Lolunut 16 string lyre harp from EBay (haven't received it yet.) Have you found any tutorials for 16 string lyre yet please? Thank you very much.

[@awatt6088]

@@uclenjo not yet I just go by ear

[@uclenjo]

@@awatt6088 I found this book that might apply for the 16-string lyre harp also: www.harpkit.com/how-to-play-diatonic-lyre.html It's written by Lynda Kuckenbrod. That's the only one I've found so far.

[@lurklingX]

this instruction is *AMAZING* - i'm just starting out but some people talk with terminology that i wouldn't know yet, or demo things in not the most helpful of ways. this seems like a CORE important thing, especially being that there are limited strings and i was wondering how one might make all of the notes needed to play a piece. (haven't gotten a lyre yet - trying to figure out WHAT to get. i love these long ones you have on your wall! wish i knew the name....)

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thank you for the kind words! Good to hear it helps! The longest lyre on our wall is a replica of the Trossingen lyre. Found almost entirely intact in Germany. The others are anglo-saxon lyres (found at Sutton Hoo and Taplow). Lots of information about those can be found online. Hope this will help in your quest to find your perfect instrument!

[@lurklingX]

@@MoroLyreMusic are these styles something that can be purchased? I wasn’t sure if the thing you mentioned was a website store.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Oh yes, you can buy these lyres online. Check out some more information in this video; kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3ywln-IeKmYj8k Mind you, we realise some of these are pretty expensive and might not be a good choice for your first lyre. On etsy.com you can find some really nice more affordable lyres. But please don't let yourself be tempted to buy any lyre of 50 dollar. They just really are no good. A good instrument is a bit of an investment. :)

[@lurklingX]

@@MoroLyreMusic I really wish I could hear the lyres in person. That would make my decision so much easier! Also, sometimes the price is not helpful. Inexpensive ones could be marked up very high for instance. i’m kind of in love with a Greek style lyre but I don’t know the quality. (well, two different ones actually.). I know it’s good to spend more money to get a better instrument, in most instruments. But it’s hard to tell what would be decent enough to determine I like playing the lyre , versus spending too much to determine this (if i decide I don’t like it). I feel so torn right now.

[@connieLo87365]

Thank You for sharing this is ver useful

[@uclenjo]

That is very kind and generous of you to make these tutorials available for free. I just purchased a Lolunut 16-string lyre harp from EBay (haven't received it yet) and am looking for tutorial books/videos/dvds. It has steel strings though whereas the ones on your lyre in the video look to be nylon. Would it require a different technique to play steel strings? Thank you very much.

[@pheona1000]

Fab! Can you do a PDF of the chord chart please?

[@Aeryna]

Hi there! I've just started lyre and your videos have been amazing and helpful! I was wondering if you could provide a link to downloading the pictures you have made of the chords. they are really useful! Do you teach lessons online? I would love to learn from you!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Aly! We do not have a link, but if you send us an e-mail, we will be glad to mail it to you! I am afraid, there will be no 'live' lessons online, but every now and then we will post new lessons right here! Thanks for your lovely comment.

[@lightwolfrising]

Thank you so much! Great help. Im new to this and am thinking my instrument may be strung backwards though. Low string on top correct? If one is Right handed.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thanks! Our ibstruments indeed have the lowest, thickest string on top. Like a guitar. Historically, however there is no evidence on how these lyres were strung. Harp players for example might prefer the strings the other way around. Eventually It's up to you and how you want to play your lyre! :)

[@Jinjujie]

Hi! Thank you for the amazing tutorial! Just one question... can I play the cords with 16-string lyre? And does it make any difference if don't block the first strings and head to the open one? ( for example in Bm, just start from B and end in D.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Thanks for your comment! And it's a good question, I am actually not sure... We don't have a 16 string lyre, so I can't try it myself. The second quesion would be a no. It does not make a difference for the chord if you do not strum all the blocked strings. Hope that helps!!

[@craigwilliams9279]

Hi! I am so glad I came across your videos.... I am very interested in getting a lyre, but unfortunately, I am on a budget so anything I get will probably come from Amazon, rather than something more professional. Still, it will hopefully be good enough to start learning. Most of what I am finding is either 7-string, or 10-string. I had figured the 10-string would be better in order to have a wider range, but listening to your videos, even the 6-string sounds great. Can you give any advice on making a choice, or anything that I need to consider? If I pick up a 7-string, how hard would it be to adapt your lessons? I am also having a hard time locating music and how-to-play books, so I am concerned I could get a lyre... and have nothing to play other than random stuff I make up, or learn by ear. Any thoughts or insights would be GREATLY appreciated. Also, I have subscribed. :)

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Craig, sorry for the late reply! Thank you for wachting and subscribing! There's a big difference between a 6-7 string and a 10 string (or more) the main difference is that it's alomst impossible to do the block and strum technique on more than 7 strings (easiest on 6 strings) For my wife and I, as reenactors, we need the lyres to be as authentic as possible, and there have only been found 6 string lyres from our era of intrest (around 600 ad) On the other hand, as you mentioned, the 10 (or more) strings do have a wider range in notes. So in the end it's a question of what you want to do with it, mainly pluck, or also pluck and strum. There's aren's any learning books around, as far as we're aware, so we do everything by ear. :) Cheers, Spike and Ilja Bakker

[@craigwilliams9279]

@@MoroLyreMusic Hi! Thanks for the reply! I eventually went with a 7-string lyre. As mentioned above, I did order from Amazon, so it's small and not of the highest quality, but I figured it would be good enough to get started. I have continued to look for How-To books, but still have not found any, so I am sticking with the videos that I can find. It's not as easy as it first appeared to be, but I hope to one day achieved some level of proficiency. :)

[@MoroLyreMusic]

@@craigwilliams9279 practice, Practice, practice! ;)

[@ThrashingBuddha]

Heerlijk, dank jongens!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Dank je wel, Robby! Hopelijk tot de volgende les?

[@ThrashingBuddha]

@@MoroLyreMusic Absoluut! Ik moet mijn lier nog maken maar ik volg de lessen zeker! :)

[@peckish_tooth6515]

What are the pros & cons of using the pentatonic scale on a 5-string instrument as opposed to instruments with a higher number of strings?

[@watermelonking236]

Does the hight of your fingers that “close” the strings affect the sound?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Watermelon King. For this technique it does not. The string is blocked and it will not make any sound. (there is a different technique called flageolettes in which it is important, but that's for another lesson ;)

[@bengoodwin1767]

i just got my trossingen lyre today. may i ask what tuner you use for your lyre?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Ben! We use a very simple clip-on tuner like this one: www.thomann.de/nl/electro_harmonix_clip_on_tuner.htm But you could also download one on you phone, that does the trick too!

[@Bonehead10154]

is the 7 string Lyre played/tuned the same way as a 6 string? Do you have 7 string Lyre videos?

[@briansmith1633]

Hello, I see you've added a strap to the arm of the lyre, and it appears to be attached to your tailpiece's peg on the other. Obviously the strap can be sewn around the arm, but how are you attaching to the peg? Many thanks.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Brian, sorry for the late reply! I fixed the strap around the endknob before attaching the strings (we don't use tailpieces) If you like I can send you a photo if you send an e-mail to [e-mail] Cheers, Spike

[@kaseyabler9880]

I just received my 7 string lyre. Can I play the chords like you play on your 6 string lyre?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Kasey! Technically you can, as long as the tuning is diatonic. Try to block the highest note/string With your pinky finger and you should get the same chords. It actually gives you the opportunity to add an extra note here and there!

[@kaseyabler9880]

@@MoroLyreMusic Thank you.

[@Gnillch]

Hello, may i ask a question? I have a 8 string Lyre and i think about taking 2 strings out, so it's easier for me to learn. Do you use the same strings for all 6 strings? Or are they different in thickness?

[@justaweeb9086]

I'm no expert, I don't even have a Lyre. But I do play guitar and looking at his lyre I honestly don't see any difference in thickness, so I think you'll be fine in using the same thickness of string. Take my advice with a grain of salt obviously. I Apologize in advance incase any of your strings break. Good luck!

[@jarnopit8934]

Can someone tell me where I can buy a decent lyre?

[@kentoliveira7748]

Hello !!! I livr in Brazil 🤗/🇧🇷 What an interesting instrument! What's his name?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Kent, sorry for the late reply! This Anglo-Saxon lyre, as found in England from the year 625 (at least, part of it)

[@carolynnichols8423]

Do you sell lyres?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Unfortunately, no. We only play them... :)

[@lone2234]

Hi! I'm just wondering if a medieval lyre plays the same as a harp lyre? If not what are the differences? I want to get into lyres but I'm so confused on the types there are!

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Lone, thanks for your question. We've never played harp lyres ourselfs but we're in this FB groep called THE LYRE, there are people there who can surely help you out! :)

[@lone2234]

@@MoroLyreMusic thank you soo much!

[@sketchye5943]

I’m starting with a 7 string lyre, and I’m wondering would the notes just be G A B C D E F?

[@MoroLyreMusic]

The F in a 7 string would be an F# (f sharp). :)

[@sketchye5943]

Ohh ok thanks a lot!

[@earthlee8000]

Forgive me for my ignorance. I came across the word “lyre” in the Bible and didnt know what it was. Is the lyre like a guitar?

[@BirdWhisperer46]

It's a lot like a guitar.

[@earthlee8000]

Mitch thank you.

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Hi Earth Lee. It is like a guitar, but can also be played like a harp. Endless possibilities..! :)

[@suzannemistretta9275]

i want to learn but seems very complicated.

[@victoriatube159]

I feel like I'm realy tone deaf thanks to being hard of hearing for opposite thing in both my ears(trouble hearing low pitches in one and high pitches in the other)

[@BirdWhisperer46]

bummer, I broke a string on my Trossingen and no spares on this side of the planet. I wonder if my ukulele strings will fit? LOL

[@MoroLyreMusic]

Oi, that is a bummer! I'm afraid ukulele strings might be too short, but it can't Hurt to try.

[@BirdWhisperer46]

@@MoroLyreMusic They are long enough, but, not heavy enough. I have not tried to string one yet tho.

[@mochitofumochitofu5970]

@@BirdWhisperer46 Your lyre shoul come with extra strings.

[@BirdWhisperer46]

@@mochitofumochitofu5970 It didn't. But, the ukulele strings do fine.

[@scottyoung3613]

🐸

[@arturrodrigues1345]

Lira is the easiest instrument ever

[@Jinjujie]

Hi! Thank you for the amazing tutorial! Just one question... can I play the cords with 16-string lyre? And does it make any difference if don't block the first strings and head to the open one? ( for example in Bm, just start from B and end in D.