Lyre vs Harp Latest Information About Instruments [2022]
It is likely that you have heard of the harp and the lyre. But do you truly understand what people are talking about when they say “harp” or “lyre”? What are the distinctions between a lyre and a harp, and how do they differ?
The harp and the lyre are two very distinct instruments that have been around for hundreds of years and are still in use today. The harp is a stringed instrument, but the lyre is a metal-framed instrument with strings and a metal frame. Fortunately, both of these instruments produce wonderful music, which may be heard if you know where to seek for it. See the next section to learn more about what distinguishes them from one another!
In general, and in summary, the following are the distinctions between the Harp and the Lyre:
- Both the harp and the lyre are stringed instruments, and both are played with a bow.
- Unlike the harp, which has a straight neck, the lyre, which has a curved neck.
- They are often bigger than their counterparts, although they have less strings than those instruments.
- Due to the fact that the lyre is held in your lap while you play it, two hands are required to play it; however, the harp may be played with either one or two hands, depending on how you wish to play it.
- The fingers or the plectrum are used to pluck the strings of harps, whereas the hand or occasionally a pick is used to pluck the strings of lyres.
The History of the Harp and the Lyre
The harp has its origins in ancient Egypt when it was originally known as “the kinnor.” Lyres first emerged in Mesopotamia (what is now Iraq) approximately 2500 BCE, and were known as “giparu” in Sumerian and “guru” in Akkadian, depending on who was playing them. In the end, these instruments were taken all over the world, and now practically every culture has its own version of these instruments.
The harp was most likely based on animal entrails and the tortoiseshell, while the lyre was most likely modeled after the curved shell of a tortoise, according to legend. Both instruments were utilized to provide accompaniment to vocalists as well as to accompany them.
Aside from the piano or the harpsichord, harps and lyres have also been employed as solo melodic instruments, although they weren’t regarded solo instruments in the same manner. Singers, dancers, and musicians of various instruments were accompanied by harpists and lyre players. While both harps and lyres are employed in classical and folk music, lyres are primarily used in Western art and Renaissance music.
This musical instrument is the national musical instrument of Ireland, where it is frequently heard at folk festivals. The harp is sometimes referred to as the Irish harp, or simply “the Harp.” The harp is also widely used in classical music, typically as a member of an orchestra. Yolanda Kondonassis, Lisa Batiashvili, and Natalie Clein are among the harpists who will perform.
Danish musicians have used the lyre as their national musical instrument since the Middle Ages. It is regarded as the world’s oldest stringed instrument and has served as a symbol of Danish identity since the Middle Ages. Bo Andersen, Lauridsen Lausen, and Thomas Blachman are among the most well-known Danish lyre players. With such a long and illustrious history and heritage, it is no surprise that these two instruments continue to have an impact on music today. Throughout the world, you may hear harpists and lyre musicians performing in orchestras and at folk festivals.
Sound of Lyre vs Harp
Despite the fact that the sounds of harps and lyres are quite similar, there is a minor variation in pitch between the two instruments. Harps have a lower pitch than lyres, which is around an octave lower than the pitch of a lyre.
Harps have a higher loudness than their counterparts, and you can even hear them playing in enormous concert halls when they are performed by professional harpists. Due to their large, flat sound boxes, harps are easier to hear than lyres, which are dampened by their hollow bodies, which makes them difficult to hear. Harpists typically perform with two or three harps at the same time in order to provide a larger, richer sound that may fill a whole hall or theatre.
Design of Lyre vs Harp
Based on the nation they come from, the design of harps and lyres can be quite different in appearance. Additionally, harps are available in a variety of sizes – there are little harps that can be played with one hand, as well as concert harps that stand nearly 10 feet tall! When harpists perform, they frequently need a stool to sit on so that they can reach the harp’s strings more easily. While harps and lyres are both typically played with two hands, harps are often played with one hand and a pick in the player’s other hand, while lyres are typically played with one hand and a pick in the player’s other hand.
It is extremely difficult to categorise lyre designs since they are so diverse. Some are straight while others are curved; some have arms while others do not. There are also lyres that have additional strings to produce a deeper sound! When harpists perform, they normally sit on a stool or in a chair to play their instruments. Harps may be played with a single hand, although harpists often use two hands to pluck each string of the instrument.
Which instrument should you begin learning first, the harp or the lyre?
Harps are typically more difficult to play than lyres, but there are exceptions. Due to the broader neck of a harp, your fingers must be long and flexible enough to span numerous frets at the same time; if any of those frets are closer together or further apart from each other, it may change the pitch of the instrument.
Harpists frequently utilize the entire palm of their hand to halt strings, which adds another level of complexity and flexibility to their technique. Furthermore, harps demand greater arm strength than lyres since the weight of the harp must be supported by the entire arm at the same time — depending on how you play it, a full-sized harp may weigh up to 100 pounds. Harpists are also supposed to march about the stage while playing, which adds to the level of opposition.
Harps may be played either seated or standing up; if you intend on sitting down the whole time you play it, be sure to prop it up against something, such as a chair or table, to relieve some of the pressure on your arms. Lyres are more convenient to travel and set up since they only require four legs instead of six, making them more compact for transport and storage in small spaces. The fact that harps cannot be tucked away in a keyboard stand means that they must be properly supported in some other way; lyres may often be seen wedged between harp legs.
