This is an original piece that was part of my Therapy Harp Training Program first semester final exam. I play it here first on Lynda Lyre, as I did for the exam.
19-string acoustic BJL Lyre, with left hand range modifications
16-string solid body BJL lyre, so you can hear more left-hand range modifications if you listen closely
And lastly, my double strung arrangement on 2 19-string acoustic BJL lyres
Here is the traditional Irish tune, Star of the County Down, played on 16-string solid body lyre.
19-string acoustic lyre with its wider range and fuller sound.
19-string acoustic with Pickaso Guitar Bow. It rings, even though the bow can’t produce a lot of sustain on its own.
And finally, enjoy 2 19-string acoustic lyres for my double strung arrangement.
Gratitude, an original piece, first played on 16-string solid body lyre
Pentatonic 7string, also solid body
Pentatonic 7-string with Pickaso Guitar Bow
And 2 19-string acoustic lyres for the double strung version.
Maybe you know this traditional Irish tune. I hope you enjoy it. Played on 16-string solid body BJL lyre.
A traditional Irish tune played on 16-string solid body BJL lyre.
Next, played on 7-string pentatonic lyre. Well, it’s designed that way, but it’s not pentatonic for this tune. The tuning from low to high is D4, E4, F#4, G4, A4, B4, D5. It’s not as complicated as it sounds, just re-tuning a few strings.
Now on Lynda Lyre with nylon strings. It’s nice to compare the sound, especially since nylon strings on this instrument don’t ring as long as steel strings do.
And last, but certainly not least, back to steel strings with my simple double strung arrangement on 2 19-string BJL acoustic lyres!
Here are some new recordings of this tune I wrote in 2020. It sounds really lovely on BJL lyres with steel strings!
BJL 19-string acoustic lyre
BJL 16-string solid body lyre. Why am I sharing both 19- and 16-string recordings? Because modifications must be made to play this on a 16-string. Also, because one is acoustic, and the other is solid body. I love both!
BJL 7-string pentatonic lyre, but not pentatonic for this tune. Tuning: D4, E4, F#4, G4, A4, B4, D5
Yes, double strung too, played on 2 BJL 19-string acoustic lyres.
Here is a new Lynda Lyre recording, since, hopefully, I play better now than I did when I made the first one!
16-string solid body BJL lyre. The volume of this instrument is impressive, especially without a sound box!
And on Lynda Lyre with nylon strings. This is a similar improv, but may or may not be the same… My intention was not to make it the same specifically, but if it is, that’s OK too!
And of course, double strung, played on 2 BJL 19-string acoustic lyres.
Mystical Strings 