The basic shape resembles that of the reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo 'harp' or lyre unearthed in England in 1939, although that seems to have been much shorter. I suspect Anglo-Saxon and Old High German poetry were chanted to the accompaniment of such instruments.
@CleverAssessment I make them to sell, Youtube won't let me put a link here but if you google Ancient Music Corwen you'll find our website, or its ancientmusic (dot) co (dot) uk
@johnsshipp there are two each of three different thicknesses- Aquila nylgut baritone ukelele strings. It takes two packets to string one lyre, with two strings left over.
@stragin It can be tuned a variety of ways, but in the film it is simply tuned to the first six notes of a major scale. That way when the highest pitched string is left as a drone you can play in the minor with a leading note very easily, or switch to the major by letting the second highest be the drone.
Very nice.
JonFrumTheFirst 1 month ago
The basic shape resembles that of the reconstruction of the Sutton Hoo 'harp' or lyre unearthed in England in 1939, although that seems to have been much shorter. I suspect Anglo-Saxon and Old High German poetry were chanted to the accompaniment of such instruments.
Oswulf1 4 months ago
How does one acquire such an instrument?
CleverAssessment 9 months ago
@CleverAssessment I make them to sell, Youtube won't let me put a link here but if you google Ancient Music Corwen you'll find our website, or its ancientmusic (dot) co (dot) uk
KateCorwen 8 months ago
Fuck yeah I am totally getting one of these for a neofolk band.
deviantcreep 11 months ago
Are the strings all the same thickness or are they note-specific like a guitar's strings?
johnsshipp 1 year ago
@johnsshipp there are two each of three different thicknesses- Aquila nylgut baritone ukelele strings. It takes two packets to string one lyre, with two strings left over.
KateCorwen 1 year ago
Very nice clear video... !
Andy
andylowings 1 year ago
Very nice lyre. I am a builder in Canada that also makes these. What is your tunning? I love the way you play.
stragin 1 year ago
@stragin It can be tuned a variety of ways, but in the film it is simply tuned to the first six notes of a major scale. That way when the highest pitched string is left as a drone you can play in the minor with a leading note very easily, or switch to the major by letting the second highest be the drone.
KateCorwen 1 year ago
@KateCorwen Thank you very much, I will be trying that tunning on the birch one I am building right now.
stragin 1 year ago
@KateCorwen sweet! I am working on a birch body right now. I will have to give that tunning a try.
stragin 11 months ago
Beautiful! I'm just amazed at how loud it sounds.
blackcatspirit13 1 year ago
Yes, very nice Corwen!
simonmchadwick 1 year ago
Lovely to see your videos, very impressed with how your work has developed over the years, Great to see as well as hear your instruments!
michaeljking 1 year ago