Mermaid Song on Lyres

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I wrote Mermaid Song almost 5 years ago exactly, in June, 2021. It is a double strung piece that takes advantage of the effects possible only on double strung. Here, enjoy it first played on 2 19-string acoustic lyres. I especially love the ringing strings in this piece!

It can be played on a single course of strings as well. This is the Lynda Lyre with wire strings. I like the low notes in this one.

Even fewer strings still make a lovely arrangement possible. This is a 19-string acoustic lyre.

The Wheels on the Bow?

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I call this The Wheels on the Bow? Because I’m using the Pickaso Rotary Bow. With 16-string solid body lyre. Enjoy!

Pentatonic 7-string with Pickaso Rotary Bow. There’s a learning curve with this as well, mostly getting the rosin on the bow wheel, but it’s much less of a learning curve than the standard bow models. It sounds good, and it’s fun!

Going Home

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When this tune is sung, it is often called Going Home. Enjoy the melody played on 16-string solid body lyre with Pickaso Rotary Bow.

Lynda Lyre with wire strings.

19-string acoustic lyre.

Double strung, played on 2 19-string acoustic lyres. This is often my favorite, as it is here. Unfortunately, these lyres are heavy and awkward when there are two. I’m waiting for someone to start building an actual double strung lyre, so I only need to carry, or hold, or find a case for one instrument! Because the holding is another animal entirely! And yes, I know there are some made with nylon strings. But you can’t have these with wire strings, because that’s not where these companies specialize. However, the shorter height of the bean-style lyre makes it a wonderful double strung instrument, as do the wire strings! and for me, it’s much easier to play. So… Until I can get the real deal, I will continue to play 2 lyres at the same time. I didn’t intend to go on this tangent here, but now that I have, it’s officially out in the Universe. And the real point is, I hope you enjoy the double strung as much as I do!

To hear this played on the Lynda Lyre with nylon strings, click the link below.

“Largo (Going Home)” #Music

Whole

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This is a healing piece I wrote in 2010. I hope this gentle melody brings you peace, comfort, and relaxation.

Melody on 16-string solid body lyre with Pickaso Rotary Bow.

Lynda Lyre with wire strings.

19-string acoustic lyre, played in G to suit the range.

Double strung on 2 19-string acoustic lyres.

Sailing on a Lake

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Sailing on a Lake is a very popular piece for harp beginners. Enjoy it here, first played on Lynda Lyre with nylon strings. This will be my last recording of the Lynda Lyre with nylon strings for a while, because I’ve changed them to wire strings for more resonance and sustain. Note that this instrument was designed for either type, and not all lyres are that way.

Here is the piece with said wire strings. Notice the difference in sound!

19-string acoustic lyre, played in G to suit the range.

Double strung played on 2 19-string acoustic lyres. Since there are 2 rows of strings, the hands don’t run into each other. So this one is played in C.

Here is the video to learn this simple, but beautiful piece:

Fireflies at Dusk

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Fireflies at Dusk was written by Catherine Guilbeau, from her book, Lyre Foundations . Enjoy it played as written on 19-string acoustic lyre.

This is the same piece on the same lyre, but played in 3/4 or waltz time.

And double strung, played on 2 19-string acoustic lyres. This is also played as written. The left hand is simply moved up an octave.

Double strung in 3/4, played in 2 different octaves.

16-string solid body lyre with Pickaso Rotary Bow.

Pentatonic 7-string lyre with Pickaso Rotary Bow. This one is played in E minor.

Tuning: D4, E4, F#4, G4, A4, B4, D5

Catherine’s video of the pieces in the book: