How to tune a Lyre Harp (16 String, 10 String or 7 String)

[@IanJCole]

I'm starting a Lyre Harp tutorial course on my Patreon page soon costs start at £1 month: www.patreon.com/ianjcole

[@softie_vinyl]

ok as someone who is planning on playing the lyre at a larp event this was really helpful. You sir have really helped me. Thank you

[@IanJCole]

Glad it helped!

[@softie_vinyl]

@@IanJCole please make more videos about the lyre^^

[@IanJCole]

@@softie_vinyl I will do thanks for watching xx

[@HospitalForSouls.X]

Thank you very much for posting this! I just ordered a beautiful lyre harp...but I did so impulsively. I have never been a string musician before -- I grew up playing classic band instruments. Recently however, I started gaining interest in buying random new instruments to learn. So far I have a violin and a kalimba. I can't wait to add this stunner!

[@IanJCole]

Great Nadia I'll have some more videos coming soon cheers Ian

[@michellearaujo.]

The British accent is class! I'm getting this one. Already got a Donner 10 string that's lovely but impossible to tune the right way. I had to tune C4-E5 which is limiting. Thank you for your video

[@leavemealoneimjustfreespirted]

Thank you. Just got my Lyre Harp and using my Hammered Dulcimer tuner (CA-1 Chromatic Korg). You've been the best I've come across thus far and I appreciate you.

[@IanJCole]

thanks Mindy glad it was useful

[@honeysucle10]

Thanks for this! I just got my lyre harp in the mail with the turner and such, but it's pretty much my first real instrument I'm trying to play, so I was at a total loss on how to tune it. This was very helpful!

[@IanJCole]

Hi Honeysucle enjoy the lyre harp I'll be doing some more tutoral videos when I get a moment best wishes Ian

[@GaveMeGrace1]

Thank you- bought a Kinnor (Isra’el themed lyre and you probably knew that already) for my wife, and this will help with tuning.

[@IanJCole]

Glad I could help Hamlet take care

[@WitchBexas]

This is my first time learning to play any instrument. Very helpful,, thank you! 🖤

[@IanJCole]

glas to help I'm also starting a Lyre Harp tutorial course on my Patreon page soon costs start at £1 month: www.patreon.com/ianjcole

[@Pamalumpa]

I just got a 10 string lyre for my birthday (similar to your story). This was very helpful!

[@IanJCole]

Glad I could help! and happy birthday

[@LaurenceJones-sz2xb]

Excellent video! You're absolutely right on finding the info online, but you've made this quite simple and easy to follow. Thanks!

[@wolfbeam9169]

I was wondering how often they need to be tuned and what tuner would be good for it so thank you so much for your help!

[@IanJCole]

Hi I tune it everytime I'm going to play it the tuner I use in the video is the Tanglewood TCT1 available at this link checkout.square.site/buy/7MQCKA4MX57RJNHP5KGK2MBA

[@rooseveltdumornay4954]

Thank you for this video. I really appreciate how you explained it

[@donhawkins5175]

A really big help. My 10 note says start with an F. To high for me. Great help

[@milocook4157]

thank you i'm thinking about getting a lyre and this really help!

[@IanJCole]

Glad I could help!

[@charlottesmom]

Thank you kind sir, this was a very helpful video. I will be getting my Lyre (same model as you) in a few days time, now I can get it tuned successfully. 👍🏻😊

[@IanJCole]

hi Charlotte glad it was useful best wishes

[@sharonpowers3412]

Very helpful. Most appreciated! I'm planning on "tuning" in again (ha....!) Bless your little ole heart.🎶

[@nathalieb4438]

Thank you for this video, Ian. I never owned and played an instrument and your video was very helpful!

[@Angel-yl1ck]

When it is new, you have to be patient. Like he says. I almost gave my Aklot away, because it took months to break in the strings.

[@yvonnesegers3214]

Thank you very much, I needed this!

[@IanJCole]

your welcome Yvonne there are more Lyre Harp videos to come

[@justapuffin7303]

We have the exact same Lyre! Thanks for the video 😉

[@angelica1577]

I got exactly the same one a day before I watched this

[@IanJCole]

I hope you're enjoying it Kitty

[@eberhardmezurich2026]

Wow same!

[@laurapoullet9659]

I thank you I want to get into the lyre and what made me dread stringed instruments are the tuning is also one of the reasons why I gave up the guitar can be done again soon? in all I thank you this help is really precious

[@ArcNeoMasato]

I'm just glad to know that my new lyre losing tune so far is from the strings being new. Hopefully a few more tunes and they'll stay put better. (Side note, mine is a Bohemian Sounds 16 string, but it looks almost identical to the one you linked to on amazon, just minus the pickup on the back and a lighter woodstain)

[@Iceland874]

I tend to tune it to the key of G but should I lower the F#s a half step? I’m able to play a lot of songs and hymns. I have the Aklot 16 string and I love it but I want a 23 string chromatic lyre. Mine stayed in tune for a month or so until I decided to put it in a zippered box. Maybe its better to leave it out?

[@joanroberson271]

Thank you for your video... I am still needing help... I received a 10 string Lyre/harp... and info says key of C... and then E F G A B C D E F G - contrary to what you have explained.... is this a different key.. or a mistake... clearly I need help.. also looking for the proper tuner.. I missed the type you had used.. please help... thank you ...

[@IanJCole]

hi Joan the E F G A B C D E F G is still in the key of C and is fine - so tune it as per your instructions, as for the tuner the one I used is now discontinued but this is a good replacement amzn.to/3OxGwmd from Boss it will tune any stringed instrument all the best Ian

[@samanthahart1473]

Thanks for this video I was wondering which letter or setting on guitar tuner are you using? My tuner has c g b v uc ud and I am not sure which one to use or if so need a tuner specifically for a lyre? Thanks.

[@IanJCole]

Hi Samantha use the C setting for chromatic

[@mace9197]

Hello Ian, I've been looking into lyres for a few months now and was wondering if I could tune one like the Aklot solid body harp to be more bassy by any chance?

[@IanJCole]

its worth a try but the lower strings will get a bit loose and unfocused if you tune to a low E instead of the lowest G

[@joanroberson271]

Ian... found that the bridge is completely unattached... ? isn't it to be glued down? or am I wrong... I don't want to do anything till I know if this needs repair... thanks... - I did get the tuner.. and so ready to go.. lol... not giving up... thx

[@LowCarbMommy]

If I'm going to buy a 24 strings harp and there's only 19 strings available, can I buy the strings twice to fit 24 strings or do I need to look at store that sells the same number of strings? I worry that 38 strings will destroy the sound of 24 strings harp especially that I don't know which strings to put in if it's low thick or high thin. Thanks ☺️

[@IanJCole]

Hi Fae you need the correct number of strings some music shops sell individual strings but you'd need to know each strings gauge

[@rhinoloupe]

Do you have any harps tuned to minor keys and, if so, which would you recommend?

[@IanJCole]

Hi Sarah no but you'll be able to tune any lyre harp to a minor key providing its 10 string or more

[@Daniel-jh2pv]

Thank you for this video! I got the same Lyre off amazon, right before seeing this video! Unfortunately I broke a string trying to tune it, off the bat (Thankfully it came with replacements,) and was hoping to ask: Is the first set of strings ( G to F) in on this lyre tuned to 3rd, not 4th, octave? Thank you!

[@Daniel-jh2pv]

Answering my own question, the standard tuning for it seems to be: g3 a3 b3 c3 d4 e4 f4 g4 a4 b4 c4 (c5?) d5 e5 f5 g5 a5 - But could very well be wrong!

[@IanJCole]

Hi Daniel sounds about right but you only need to worry about it if you are trying to tune the Lyre to a piano

[@Liz-wv7mu]

Hi thanks for ypu video which tuner is this please?

[@grandenacho8887]

I tried this and my strings broke, but if I tune it in a lower octave it sounds like a guitar. I wonder if the strings need to set? Or get better strings?

[@wave8362]

Hi. Thanks for this video, like you said, there isn't quite a lot of informative material on the web about the topic. I wait for my lyre to come in the mail and as I wait, I can't help but wonder what is the pitch range of every string, in other words how low/ high can it be tuned before it unwinds/ starts squeaking, or breaks. I'm particularly interested in tuning it with alternate guitar tunings as a base. Now I know that you said lyre needs to be tuned chromatically, but what about a minor third or major third for example? Is there a chart or something or maybe one should just go with his own ears and carefulness? I would be really grateful for your help!

[@IanJCole]

hi I've not found a scale chart yet if your trying higher notes don't over tighten the strings let the string settle and then increase small amounts of tension

[@wave8362]

Ok, I'll try that, thank you. Cheers.

[@kikab1695]

Thank you for this very informative video! I have lost my tuning wrench and the ones I ordered were both the wrong size. I noticed that I have the same lyre as you, could you let me know which tuning wrench I should order?

[@IanJCole]

sorry my wrench doesn't have any sizes on it

[@lilarsonist8194]

What are the notes for a 10 string lyre 😭

[@Official_Sp1rit]

This helped me a lot. The only problem is that a lot of the songs I want to play contain Cs

[@charlieluna7237]

Do you think the 7 string would take nylon strings? Like the nylon ukulele strings? cheers

[@IanJCole]

Hi Lord No You'll need to use steel strings

[@ophelieherve1030]

I would like to know for the chromatique Hz for me to know how to tune it well. Is it 432Hz?

[@marionbaker106]

Got a 10 string . Thanks for your help tuning my harp

[@pocklingtonmusic4652]

you're welcome Marion

[@Mehhhh450]

So um my lyre, when using a tuning tool it always shows a different note then it is. (Ex, when playing G is shows F)

[@joanroberson271]

Hi again... serious question.. not sure what it is called... thought it was the bridge.... but the wood piece that the strings go on top of at the bottom and rest ?... is that piece suppose to be loose... or glued down??? mine came loose... once unpacked I moved it and found it to be unattached... I don't want to attempt anything till I know..and I can't find anything to help me... feel like I have hit the wall lol

[@IanJCole]

Hi Joan sorry I can't help you it sounds like the lyre needs to be looked at via a professional

[@poppymoondelightful]

Please can you tell me what a pentato ic tuning on a 16 string lyre would be? Thank you Jutta

[@IanJCole]

Hi Jutta 7 tone pentatonic tuning information can be seen here auris-musical-instruments.com/lyres/auris-lyre-lgp/

[@searose6192]

@@IanJCole is it possible to tune a diatonic lyre to a pentatonic scale? If so, how to do so without breaking the strings. I have tuned guitars, ukuleles, lap harps etc without issue, but I bought a little 10 string lyre for my daughter and haven't been able to tune it without breaking the strings. Is it the strings? Or (as I suspect) is it me ? (Particularly as I am trying to force a pentatonic scale on a diatonic instrument?

[@IanJCole]

@@searose6192 Hi clearly string tension is the problem you could try some guitar strings where you are breaking strings HTH

[@searose6192]

@@IanJCole Thanks for years quick reply! I will try that. Also whT do you think about nylon strings? I saw some on Amazon when I was shopping for replacements. Any reason to avoid nylon strings? Thanks again 👍

[@chelseal8448]

thanks for this!

[@IanJCole]

thanks for watching ;)

[@ophelieherve1030]

What is the HZ?

[@bingwangmcmanus]

Hi are you tuning it to 443? as a harp?

[@manoloramirez6456]

What tunner is that

[@AllenAbbadonia]

Thank you! ☺

[@IanJCole]

you're welcome ChasiaLily

[@Rick_Cleland]

Cheers!!

[@mmm3296]

what should every string be tuned to, im so confused??

[@IanJCole]

Hi it you watch the video I show you how the lyre should be tuned 😺

[@mmm3296]

@@IanJCole Ah, yes i saw but unfortunatly i dont have a guitar tuner, so how would i go about it

[@IanJCole]

ahh sadly you'll need one this one is reasonably priced amzn.to/3hRO5nq

[@BirdWhisperer46]

This guy gets it. Use an electric tuner for guitar or Ukulele. Simple as a pimple.

[@IanJCole]

its a chromatic tuner that will tune any stringed instrument

[@beanthefaery23]

I'm too dumb for this hahaha. I'm trying to tune a 10 string and I genuinely do not understand. I learned ukulele by just memorizing finger placement I dont even know where to start with this instrument

[@IanJCole]

I'm sure not- if this helps I'm starting a Lyre Harp tutorial course on my Patreon page soon costs start at £1 month: www.patreon.com/ianjcole

[@beanthefaery23]

@@IanJCole That would be AMAZING thank you so much, I'm actually having a hard time finding much info about playing the lyre so I appreciate it!

[@donhawkins5175]

I have a ten note. Watching " How to tune 16,10, 7. Was the easiest for me. My heaviest string is # 1 closest to me. Tune at a C then work your way down. Used a guitar tuner for the C, then the rest by ear. If I can do it anyone can.( Deaf in one ear)

[@beanthefaery23]

@@donhawkins5175 Im also deaf in one ear and tone issues in the other. lol twinsies. I stuggle pretty hard tuning by ear but im determined to learn how to play this darn thing, I'm not musically inclined and ive only learned one instrument but I did it a round about way, Im also just struggling to figure out what letters go to each string as I cant find any pictures for specifically a 10 string. thanks for the advice though! I'll look up that video, although its hard to learn when I dont even know which string is which hahaha

[@donhawkins5175]

@@beanthefaery23 I play at guitar, have helped many people the basics. I don't read music, so I try to play by ear. Sometimes it works, well other times oh well. I tried tuning my ten note to the notes ( chords ) on my harp, but it seemed the strings were trying to give up the ghost. So I tuned my top string to a C and the rest by ear, it works for me. So the strings are tuned to C D E F G A B C D E. Maybe try if you dare. No one around to hear me anyways. Good luck, and please don't give up. Lyre harps have a wonderful, beautiful sound. Look up lyre harp music, there are thousands of songs you can learn. My first song learned was Dragon born comes. Peace and Love Darlin

[@Serverclosed]

this is next to useless... So I need a machine to tune it? Big deal...

[@daffybigbear]

you talk to much