Down to the Basics
Learn all you need to know to start having fun with your lyre, along with how to play two surviving ancient tunes and two modern songs, "Stairway To Heaven" by the great Led Zeppelin and "The Unforgiven" by Metallica! This course is for beginners (no need of any previous music knowledge) and for lyres of any type with at least 7 strings.*
At the end of the course you will know how to...
- Hold and tune the lyre.
- Play with the right hand.
- Play with the left hand.
- Find your inner rhythm on the lyre.
- Play with the plectrum (the ancient pick).
- Play with both hands at the same time.
- Learn to play two original ancient greek tunes!
- Learn to play the 'Stairway To Heaven' melody by the great Led Zeppelin!
- Learn to play the 'The Unforgiven' melody by the great Metallica!
* Do you own a lyre with more strings? The course can be done by students with lyres with 7 or more strings. Simple and step-by-step videos are available to prepare your lyre for the courses (including tuning).
Lesson 1 : The Seven Strings of your Lyre
Which are the seven strings of your lyre? In which position can we find them on the music stave? How can we combine an easy tablature notation (i.e. just the numbers of the strings) with the notes of the lyre on the music stave?
These basic exercises will help you unlock the technique of "instant music stave reading"!
Plus: Your first lyre exercises
Lesson 2 : Play with the Plectrum
Let’s get into the ancient pick (or plectrum) technique by playing simple exercises that will change the way you think about your lyre.
Plus: Three more lyre exercises
Lesson 3 : Basic Rhythmic Values
It's time to learn some basic rhythmic values by playing a simple but very effective lyre exercise. Let's prepare ourselves for the next lessons, where we unlock several ancient rhythms.
Plus: Lyre exercise
Lesson 4 : Play Like a Pro
Adding complexity to your lyre playing by using all the fingers of your hand. Simple techniques will change your mindset and unlock an extensive repertoire of ancient and modern melodies.
Plus: Two more lyre exercises
Lesson 5 : Lyre & Ancient Rhythms
Did you know that different rhythms can sound differently on your lyre? That an ancient rhythm can make your playing sound quite a lot more ancient? This is what we are going to find out in this lesson, playing our first melody on an ancient Greek rhythm!
Plus: Three more lyre exercises
Lesson 6 : Learn how to play "Exasimon"
By now, you will be ready to add to your repertoire your second ancient Greek melody, the one called “Exasimon”!
Plus: Your 2nd surviving ancient Greek lyre exercise!
Lesson 7 : Introduction to Quavers / Eighth notes
Let's start unlocking your inner rhythm by exploring a basic musical concept called quavers. By adding quavers to your lyre playing, you will gain access to dozens more possible melodies for your music repertoire!
The best way to learn is through the powerful force of rhythm! — W. A. Mozart
Plus: A specialised "Quavers" exercise for lyre players
Lesson 8 : Learn how to play "Dodekasimon"
Learn how to play the most advanced of the ancient Greek tunes in this course, the one called "Dodekasimon", and advance your lyre exercise routine to the next level!
Plus: Your 3rd surviving ancient Greek lyre exercise!
Lesson 9 : Learn how to play "The Unforgiven" by Metallica
Plus: Tips for the next level!
Lesson 10 : Learn how to play "Stairway to heaven" by Led Zeppelin!
The lyre might have more than two thousand years of history, but at the same time, it is a modern musical instrument with great capabilities. See your lyre in a whole new light, by learning how to play the “Stairway to Heaven” melody by Led Zeppelin!
Plus: Tips for the next level!
Where do I go from here? A Quick Look to Course 102!
So, you have just finished the course, and you feel the need to advance further with your lyre playing. Here is a quick video on what we will cover next in our Lyre Course 102, focusing on a more advanced lyre playing technique using both our hands!
Enroll in this Course
Start your lyre study today!
Enroll and get...
- Full access for 3 months for just $99.
- Crystal clear sound.
- Fast loading 4K (Ultra HD) videos for each lesson.
- Lesson notes with extras.
- Music music sheets/tablatures for lyres.
- $29/month if you want to extend your access.
Who is your Instructor?
Lina Palera is a world-renowned lyre player and a charismatic teacher with more than a decade of experience in music schools and educational institutions in the United Kingdom, Greece and abroad, working with adults and children too. She travels a lot for live performances at museums, festivals, conferences and other venues.
Ready to get started?
| Start learning immediately by enrolling in a course.
| Access from any device (computer, tablet or smartphone)!
| Learn from the best: top players with decades of teaching experience!
| Watch as many time as you like! Re-take the lessons.
| Learn anywhere, anytime, at your pace!
Did you know that by using simple playing techniques (such as two hands playing, harmonics, string pressing, arpeggios, et cetera) you will quickly unlock hundreds of world-renowned ancient and modern melodies, spreading on a staggering three millennia time span?
Let’s see for yourself by learning your first modern song on the lyre, "The Unforgiven" by the great Metallica!
Rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul. — Plato