O’Carolan’s Lyre – Various Lyres

Posted on March 14, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

“O’Carolan’s Lyre” #Music #HarpForPeace #Mp3

My original composition, played on Lynda Lyre

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!

O’Carolan’s Lyre

And a version without lyre, just for good measure

Aeolian Improv – 16-string Lyre and More

Posted on March 11, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

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.

Light

Posted on March 7, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

This is an original tune I’ve posted before. Written in 2010, it is entitled Light. I wrote it on ukulele, then played it on harp. Here I play 7-string pentatonic lyre. This little instrument is more versatile than you might think!

Same lyre with Pickaso Guitar Bow

Amazing Grace – 7-string Lyre +

Posted on February 28, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

Yes, you can play harmony with only 7 strings! Enjoy Amazing Grace played on seven-string pentatonic lyre.

The same lyre with Pickaso Guitar Bow

Double strung on 2 19-string acoustic lyres.

Theme from Swan Lake on Lyre

Posted on February 25, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

A Song for the Little One

Posted on February 21, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

This is a beautiful piece written by Catherine Guilbeau with Enfolded Heart Music. I’ve modified the left hand to make use of the larger range on the Lynda Lyre. If you want to learn this lullaby, you can purchase the sheet music from Catherine and/or follow her YouTube tutorial:

I hope you enjoy my double strung arrangement as well, played on 2 BJL 19-string acoustic lyres.

Fairy Song on Lyre

Posted on February 11, 2026 by Dr. Crystal Grimes

This is a tune I wrote to go with a poem a few years ago. It sounds lovely and more magical, I think, on a lyre with steel strings. This one is a 7-string BJL pentatonic lyre in G Major.