TO MAKE A LYRE | Homemade Musical Instrument

[@siggy2609]

I'm going to be making a jouhikko (bowed lyre) as a school project, but i'll definately make a lyre this summer. Would be great around a campfire!

[@shroomatic]

I want to make jouhikko too! lets see what we are gonna get in the end!

[@zelvin5147]

You all don't have to follow the exact rules in this video but it should give you a general idea of how it's typically constructed. This video really helped me on how to make my own. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mpfNfpxmlNCdrZo

[@zachtrapper2398]

If you guys end up with open spaces or dents, Consider using wood filler. I use a brand called plastic wood. It’s like $5 at Home Depot.

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Good tip!

[@jamespetrie2785]

Take your sawdust and keep it to mix with wood glue, so it always matches.

[@101boertjie]

Another trick is to firstly push the wood dust into the gaps, then use superglue to bind the wood dust to the space/gap you want to fill, it is fast and makes a filling that you can sand, cut and work in any way you can imagine.

[@dr.lexwinter8604]

If you end up with open spaces or dents in a musical instrument you put it in the firewood pile. If I ever sold or gave an instrument away with body filler in it I'd die of shame. Although western Europeans do not exactly have the same exacting standards in their craftsmanship as one can see from the thousands of channels on KZbin, or even in this one where he just grinds the instrument out of a hunk of pine rather than using three different woods to make an acoustically acceptable body.

[@leoreodcinn9153]

​@@dr.lexwinter8604 Except he wasn't planning to sell it or give it away, it was for personal use, so why do you concern yourself with such? It's funny you say that, because Western Europe is home to some of the finest luthiers in the world, with even COPY instruments being widely sought after rather than the originals (violins, case in point). Michael J King, English, has his instruments bought from around the world and leads the way in handcrafted lyres. Tony Dixon, English, is widely regarded as one of the most favored whistle makers - and in fact, the majority of quality low whistles are being made in the UK. I could go on, but this doesn't matter, because this is a *guy having some fun* and not a luthier (as with most videos on KZbin). If you had half a wit about you, you would realise that this isn't about making lyres to bespoke standards, its about a cultural revival and it matters not at which standard the common man can do so by his own hands. Fantastic luthiers are found across the globe, however, you will find 100 laymen for every one. - Yet you come in here as if an open invite to dinner, barge your belly against the table, and spit your food at the guests, and quarrel with your dinner! Carry this consideration along with yourself, that you are a very unmannerly guest! I'm not sure where you hael from, but I would hope the people aren't like yourself. - Perhaps you should be dying of shame at the fact that your temperament is awful, and that you take pride in liking your own comments to seem as if your opinion was wanted! Hillarious! Do not talk of craftsmanship when you cannot first craft a sound manner.

[@thefighter887]

Should totally make another one, similar but more saxon looking, maybe burn the celtic knot on the edge, a good old saxon Lyre

[@umlooad]

The outcome is not bad and also the sound is good, keeping in ind that this is the first version and that it has been build with a small toolset. I just wondering if there are any size or dimensions pattern for volume and the length of the strings.

[@tomphillips6743]

Very nice! I noticed you did not add a sound hole. Can I ask what your reasoning was for that decision?

[@mamabrantingtherapist]

I found this video looking for handmade instrument ideas. I’m starting a music group for children in my community and I feel like this would be a great addition to their learning!!! Great job, I love the sound and the look of your lyre!!!

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Thank you! Have fun with your project!

[@joshua2400]

I hope it went well :" ) Jesus Christ loves you my friends take care

[@hellomate639]

How did it go? I am almost finished up with my first lyre... I am thinking of making a how-to video on making a lyre out of a cedar fence post.

[@findpeaceindarkness1750]

Nice you should do one. entire build without power tools and such.. Your connection at that point to Your lyre would be unmistakable .its a learning process. Just an outside idea

[@katejudson8907]

Lovely. The plaited hemp looks great for holding the sound board btw. Thanks for making the video 👍

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Very cool. Those lyres, they sure figured out a lot of ways to play those deceptively simple instruments didn't they.

[@chrishartnett8652]

Thanks man, in going to make one of these!

[@novaflame_ember]

if I ever had the opportunity, I would definitely make a lyre, this actually did not look too hard to make.

[@micahdordal9419]

Hey! I've actually built one and it only takes a few hours of actual work in order to do the whole thing. My biggest issue was sourcing lyre strings but I plan on building a new lyre-esq instrument soon and am going to try either nylon guitar strings or fishing line (I've heard of people having success with certain types of line idk tho). You should absolutely try and do this, it's a fun project and with a little care ends up sounding great!

[@carmelapena4393]

How do you know the measurements of the bridge? i'm making the the bridge, sound hole etc, but im not sure of the measurements :( im on the last steps but quite stuck

[@Disteltje]

Hi Woodland Wanderer. I want to make my own lyre, based on the 7-string Angle Saxon lyre. (28 inch) Will you tell me please what sort of nylon strings you use (the ones you can buy in the music shop or something else) and what sort of tuning pins. I found alot of tuning pins at Amazon, but I don't know which are the best.

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Just used nylon acoustic guitar strings. I got the zither pegs from thomann.

[@BardofCornwall]

Nice work!

[@carmelapena4393]

Thank you for uploading your proces. I loved it. Where could I find the same template that you used?

[@alinenegriza1338]

Da para usar esse método para harpa??? Ou coloca mais cordas

[@bluenovacorgi8230]

This is so cool, i cant wait to get my hands on some tools n make one

[@fogolacy6294]

Hi, nice job ! I would to know why did you do same plywood for the front and the back, and not a shorter for the back ?

[@SushiDevotee]

How did you put the bridge on? I’m making it for a class and we’re stuck on that part

[@woodlandwanderer406]

The bridge is not attached to the body, it stays in place through the pressure of the strings ;)

[@archivebeetlejuicelocklear7758]

Speaking as a violin player, bridges on most stringed instruments, particularly non-fretted, are loose! It can make replacing strings a pain if you don’t remember the spot the bridge was

[@Wolfoe1238]

Late but if anyone is having this issue, loosen the strings so that you can get the bridge underneath and stand it up. As you tighten the strings make sure the bridge is staying straight

[@IAmValenwind]

@@archivebeetlejuicelocklear7758 imma give you a trick i learned from the repair guy i used to take my viola to (my sound post fell over at least once or twice a year, and the bridge often went with it, and almost certainly fell every time i popped the D or G strings, so i got to be good friends with him). he LIGHTLY sanded the spots where the feet go. there were two VERY light lines, scratched in with the edge of folded sandpaper, on the outside edges that lined up with where the feet go... the lines were no longer, nor shorter, than that first bridge i used, so i knew exactly where it was supposed to go, so looking at its footprint (in ascii) would've looked something like this: |[====] ' ' ' ' [====]| (i.e. "scratched line", "left foot", "four strings passing the center", "right foot", "scratched line"... i hope it makes sense) while i couldn't repair the sound post myself, i *could* fix the bridge myself from then on (my violin, on the other hand, the bridge had worn through the varnish and through the stain... i knew EXACTLY where the feet went, because it left literal footprints)

[@randzopyr1038]

Looking to make something like this just for fun. Thanks for explaining and showing all the details.

[@thenordskov]

Nice, did you ever make anymore?

[@rrrosecarbinela]

Well done. You inspire me to try.

[@manuelgomez1768]

Marvellous and easy explanation, thanks!!

[@k0rc31]

What kind of strings are those? Guitar strings?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

2 xG, 2xH and 2 xE Nylon acoustic guitar strings

[@k0rc31]

Woodland Wanderer Thank for the answer

[@evanbowen2316]

Very cool project, but do lyres have a sound hole? I noticed this lyre didn't have a sound hole.

[@Damir_35519]

A for effort.i made my self a few diy instruments so i can suggest that you never use screwes or nails like you did.it really dampens the sound.glue is enough.keep up the nice videos and thanks again for sharing.

[@WardahTheBlaqQ]

This is amazing! I believe you've actually invented a new instrument, sure, it's based on the lyre, but it's a new beast altogether!

[@GeorgeMavridis]

Hi friend, good idea there. If you use good wood material for the back and the top your sound will increase in quality a lot. You can use walnut or cherry for the back and hi quality spruce for the top. Making a hole on the top will make the strings resonate the body of the instrument, and if the wood used is of good quality (tonewood) you will have a better instrument. You might want to use gut strings for warmer sound. Greetings from Greece!

[@akirak1871]

Where did you get the strings? I can't find them.

[@MiauMichigan]

You can use quality nylon fishing line. Depending on the number of strings, use 0.8 or 0.7 mm for the lower ones, then 0.6 or 0.5 for the higher ones.

[@parsy12]

Can I use screws for pins? Because I couldnt find that pins anywhere.

[@IAmValenwind]

have you asked your local music store?

[@MiauMichigan]

Where I live there are not such things as dulcimer pegs. I have an old psaltery which has screws with a tiny hole in the middle instead of pegs. You don't want to constantly change the tuning of your instrument because they get loose with time. But they work 😊

[@MikaelREALE-Indeed]

Nice job mate ! Looking great. Did you made other one ?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Thank you! Not yet, maybe over the summer 19 ;)

[@christofferhylten7725]

Hello. What's the measures of the plank, original??

[@rafaellaveau8543]

Eu quero!!! Vou fazer uma igual!

[@FilipeGuermandi]

which tuning?

[@assisjaimedeoliveira5042]

Tanks for sharing your work! gretings!

[@askicperspective9653]

I think it will sound better when there are some holes in the top piece of wood! The sound can't come out rn

[@notthemusewere]

It's actually more complicated than that. The soundboard itself vibrates and that is most of the sound. The air in the cavity vibrates most strongly at the helmholz frequencies. If you cut a hole, you both change the helmholtz characteristics and increase the contribution to the total sound of the instrument. Basically, it will add more of the lower frequencies, but in a way biased towards the size and shape of both the cavity AND the hole you cut.

[@zachtrapper2398]

Where did you get the tuning pegs?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Got them from thomann.de

[@theflyingtrumpet8249]

What was the name of the instrument at 7:04?

[@prettypianoplayer100]

I believe it's a geometry compass, you use it to draw arcs and circles. You can find them in most geometry kits like the ones you get for elementary math. Try Walmart around school time or Staples!

[@oidaz8402]

Was that a Mora I saw at your hip?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Yes, it's a Mora Companion!

[@oidaz8402]

@@woodlandwanderer406 gotta love the Companion. Mine is my go to hiking/camping knife.

[@dieeistuete1194]

Hallo hast du überall Tonholz benutzt oder nur in der Decke etc? 😅

[@patty109109]

Great video, thank you for the details.

[@MetalHead503018]

How do you secure the bridge to the instrument?

[@twospiritbanjo]

It's a "floating bridge" like on a fiddle or banjo. The pressure from the string tension keeps it in place

[@7slotgrille]

Thank you so much for this video

[@ShoutAtMeElmo]

Sehr schönes Projekt - wo ist das Video zur historisch akkuraten Lyre? ;-) Los los

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Danke! Zur Zeit viel los und keine Möglichkeit eine Werkstatt zu nutzen.

[@arthurbagwell7721]

hi i want to make my own what strings did u use and where i can get them?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

normal nylon strings for acoustic guitars

[@catherinelidova]

what strings did you use?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Nylon acoustic guitar strings

[@jocelynleon6331]

do you know how loud it is?

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Can't tell you decibels but it's a bit quieter than an acoustic guitar

[@jocelynleon6331]

@@woodlandwanderer406 one more question. I've seen a few more videos with lyres and quite a few of them have had holes that lead to the sound box. Does yours not need one or does it have one I'm not able to see??

[@woodlandwanderer406]

​@@jocelynleon6331 I just didn't drill a soundhole because for an acoustic instrument it was loud enough for my taste. But it will definitly get a bit louder if you decide to drill one.

[@rickatica]

Should have added a sound hole, so the sound could get out of the resonator box.

[@Wahatoyas]

I'm building one, should I actually make a sound hole? Will that help it?

[@shaynissim3233]

hey does somone know what the name of the metal keys?

[@ohdannyboy33]

Do you mean the metal pegs for the strings? Generally they’re called Zither Pins

[@bzmgames1308]

so faltou corta a arvore e fabricar a tico tico

[@christophtiemann2483]

Großartig!

[@torstensturmhorst1337]

Schönes Mora hast du da ;)

[@foxtonstreet]

Get yourself a cheap router to do the edges. Will save you a lot of time and probably be neater.

[@fixinman]

Grinding machine? That is called a random orbit sander.

[@windycat5755]

Good lyre, but tune in correctly) I also made a lyre, but used only a knife, a saw, a drill and sandpaper)

[@shroomatic]

So coool!

[@alicagank]

Great work! I’m planning on starting a similar project but I don’t have much experience. If you could give me the dimensions of your lyre, that would be a great help. :)

[@saxus]

Actually, plywood is a pretty shitty material for an instrument, specially for soundboards. Next time go for spruce with straight, dense, perpendicular woodgrains without any knots or where the grains turning. It's highly unlikely that you will find a good quality spurce it's easier to make from smaller slices. But yeah, you have to learn how to join two pieces and how to plane them. But there are a thousand tutorial about handplaning, sharpening and you don't need expensive planer for quality work. Also I talked with a professional luthier/recorder maker about finishings. He said (linseed) oil is good windwood instruments but not as good stringed instruments. Try shellac or if you find it too complicated try some synthetic stuff. But avoid oil based stuffs. Ps.: I made a few hungarian zithers, and currently making a few new one. But I'm not a professional, it is just a hobby for me.

[@АртёмПоляков-ы7с]

6:19 кто-ж гвозди-то забивает при изготовлении резонатора?????)))) чудик....)

[@robabnawaz]

Die Stimmung scheint mir aber G Ab H C D E zu sein, nicht mit A

[@islar7832]

now make a harp!

[@argi0774]

Sounds very german

[@LOCKEYJ]

When it comes to strings what nylon strings did you get

[@woodlandwanderer406]

normal acoustic guitar strings, can't remember the brand

[@ellerose2320]

How long did this take you

[@woodlandwanderer406]

Hard to say because of some time between the steps. Maybe 3-4 days.