Where did lyres come from?
Iraq
Sumer
Lyre/Place of origin
What was the lyre used for?
The lyre was played either alone or as an accompaniment to singing or lyric poetry at all manner of occasions such as official banquets, symposia (private drinking parties), religious ceremonies, funerals, and in musical competitions such as those held at the great Panathanaia, Pythia, and Karneia festivals.
Is the lyre Irish?
The lyre (/ˈlaɪər/) is a string instrument that dates back to 1400 BC in ancient Greece. It is known for its use in Greek classical antiquity and later periods. The instrument was created and used earlier around 2600BCE in the middle east.
Are lyres hard to learn?
It is suitable for all ages to play, from young children to older people, and although it has specific techniques of playing, it is not a difficult instrument to master. It can be enjoyed at all levels of playing ability. There are lyre builders all over the world, building beautiful instruments.
What are lyres made out of?
Construction. A classical lyre has a hollow body or sound-chest (also known as soundbox or resonator), which, in ancient Greek tradition, was made out of turtle shell. Extending from this sound-chest are two raised arms, which are sometimes hollow, and are curved both outward and forward.
Why is it called a lyre?
In classical Greek, the word “lyre” could either refer specifically to an amateur instrument, which is a smaller version of the professional cithara and eastern-Aegean barbiton, or “lyre” can refer generally to all three instruments as a family. The English word comes via Latin from the Greek.
Why is the bull lyre important?
The Sumerians invented the lyre and sometimes adorned them with animal heads denoting their pitch. The bull motif was used for bass lyres. This particular bull, with its blue curly beard and gold horns depicts the sun god Shamash, who as the judge presides over the king’s funerary rites.
Why is harp symbol of Ireland?
Since the 13th century, the harp had been considered the heraldic symbol of Ireland. It was originally set on a dark blue background which, according to the National Library of Ireland, was intended to represent the sovereignty of Ireland in early Irish mythology.