Cretan lyra facts for kids
Various models of the Cretan lyra at the museum of Greek traditional instruments, Athens.
|
|
Quick facts for kids String instrument |
|
|---|---|
| Other names | Cretan lyra/lira, Aegean lyra |
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321.321-71 (Necked bowl lute sounded by a bow) |
| Developed | 10th century AD (est) |
| Related instruments | |
| Musicians | |
|
|
The Cretan lyra (Greek: Κρητική λύρα) is a special musical instrument from Greece. It is shaped like a pear and has three strings. Players use a bow to make its sound. This instrument is very important to the traditional music of Crete and other nearby islands. These islands include the Dodecanese and the Aegean Archipelago. Many people think the Cretan lyra is the most popular type of the old medieval Byzantine lyra. The Byzantine lyra was an early version of many bowed instruments we see in Europe today.
Contents
How Do You Play the Cretan Lyra?
Playing the Cretan lyra is different from playing a violin. Players hold the lyra straight up on their lap. It is held like a small viol. The player's right hand holds the bow.
To make notes, the player uses their left hand. They press their fingernails against the side of the string. This is not like a violin, where you press the string down onto the fingerboard. This special way of playing gives the lyra its unique sound. Older lyras, called lyrakis, often have one string that is not played. This string makes a steady drone sound. The main tune is then played on the other two strings.
Where Did the Cretan Lyra Come From?
The Cretan lyra is closely related to the Byzantine lyra. This older instrument was the ancestor of many bowed instruments in Europe. A Persian geographer named Ibn Khurradadhbih wrote about instruments in the 9th century. He said the lyra was a typical instrument of the Byzantines.
The Byzantine lyra traveled west across Europe. Over time, it changed and developed. One famous example is the Italian lira da braccio. This was a bowed instrument from the 15th century. It might have been an early version of the modern violin.
Today, instruments similar to the Cretan lyra are still played in many places that were once part of the Byzantine Empire. These instruments are direct descendants of the Byzantine lyra. They include the Gadulka in Bulgaria and the bowed Calabrian lira in Italy. Also, the Classical Kemenche is played in Istanbul, Turkey.
When Did the Lyra Arrive in Crete?
Experts have different ideas about when the bowed lyra came to Crete. Here are some of the main ideas:
- After 961 AD: Some believe the Byzantine lyra arrived after 961 AD. This was when the Byzantine Empire took back Crete from the Arabs. Noble families from Constantinople moved to Crete. They brought many Byzantine traditions with them.
- From Dodecanese Islands: Another idea is that the lyra came from the Dodecanese islands. It might have entered Crete through the eastern town of Sitia. This could have happened by the 12th century.
- Gradual Introduction: Some think the lyra slowly became part of Crete's traditions. It was a popular part of Byzantine music. This is similar to how the Lira da braccio and Calabrian lira came to Italy.
- Developed in Crete: A local tradition says the Cretan lyra developed on the island itself. This happened before 961 AD. After the Byzantine invasion, the lyra was taken to Istanbul. From there, it spread to other places.
Over the centuries, especially during the time of Venetian rule in Crete, the violin had a big impact. It changed the Cretan lyra's music, tuning, and how it was played.
What Kinds of Cretan Lyras Are There?
There are three main types of Cretan lyras:
- The lyraki (Greek: λυράκι) is a small lyra. It looks almost the same as the old Byzantine lyra. People used it mainly for playing dance music.
- The vrontolyra (Greek: βροντόλυρα) has a very strong sound. It is great for playing along with songs.
- The common lyra (Greek: λύρα κοινή) is the most popular type today. It combines features of the lyraki and the violin.
The violin's influence changed many things about the old lyraki. This included its tuning and how it was played. Around 1920, the viololyra was created. Instrument makers wanted to give the old lyraki the sound and playing possibilities of the violin. About 20 years later, a new mix of lyraki and violin led to the common lyra. There are also four-stringed lyras.
In 1990, a musician named Ross Daly designed a new type of Cretan lyra. It combined parts of the lyraki, the Byzantine lyra, and the Indian sarangi. This new lyra had three main playing strings. It also had 18 "sympathetic" strings. These strings vibrate on their own, adding to the sound. Later, the number of sympathetic strings grew to 22.
How Is the Cretan Lyra Built?
The lyra has a body called a kafka or kafki. It has a pear-shaped or oval soundboard on top, called a kapaki. There are also two small, half-circle soundholes. The body and neck are carved from one piece of wood. This wood must be at least 10 years old.
In the past, the wood came from trees in Crete. These included walnut, mulberry, and local plane trees. Today, most of the wood is imported. The soundboard is also carved and is usually made of soft wood. Traditionally, old wooden beams from buildings were used. The best ones were 300-year-old beams from Venetian ruins.
In the past, the strings were made from animal gut. The bow, called a doxari, was made of horse-tail hair. Old bows often had small round bells, called gerakokoudouna (hawk bells). These bells made a rhythmic sound as the bow moved. Today, most lyras are played with violin bows.
How Is the Cretan Lyra Tuned?
The old lyraki model of the Cretan lyra has a specific tuning: 5-1-4. This means the middle string has the lowest sound. The other strings are a 4th and a 5th higher. The player plays the main tune on the 1st and 3rd strings. The 2nd string is used as a drone, playing a steady note. This is similar to how Byzantine lyras from around 1190 AD were played.
The common lyra, which is popular today, is tuned differently. It is tuned in fifths to G-d-a'. Like a violin, it does not use a drone string. All strings can be played to make the melody.
-
Common lyra
-
Lyraki
Where Is the Cretan Lyra Used Today?
The Cretan lyra is still widely used in Crete. You can hear it in the Music of Crete. It is also played on some islands in the Dodecanese and the Aegean archipelago. You can find it in parts of northern Greece too.
Who Are Some Famous Cretan Lyra Players?
Many talented musicians play the Cretan Lyra. Some well-known performers include Andreas Rodinos, Thanassis Skordalos, and Kostas Mountakis. Others are Kareklas, Nikos Xilouris, and Psarantonis. Ross Daly is also a famous player.
Today, Yiannis Kladakis is known for bringing this type of lyra back to the island of Rhodes. Georgia Dagaki plays the instrument with rock singer Eric Burdon during his shows. Yiorgos Kaloudis has even played famous music by Johan Sebastian Bach on the Cretan Lyra.
Images for kids
-
Cretan Lyra - old type (lyraki).
-
Cretan lyra - common type after 1940.
-
Bow with spherical bells (gerakokoudouna).
-
Cretan lyra with sympathetic strings, designed by Ross Daly.
-
Kareklas (1893-1980).
-
Psarantonis (1939-).
