Beginner Level | Kithara of the Golden Age 101
Ancient Kithara: A Kick-Start
Learn how to play one of the most impressive ancient musical instruments, the Kithara of Golden Age. With a movable crossbar, the playing possibilities are endless and this beginners course will cast light to some of them. We are going to learn how to tune such a sophisticated musical instrument, how to play with various techniques, how to play on three ancient rhythms, along with how to play two ancient melodies and compose our first one based on the work of Greek philosopher Aristoxenus!
This course is for beginners, so no former musical education is required.
At the end of the course you will know how to...
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Tune such a sophisticated musical instrument.
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A movable crossbar benefit your kithara playing.
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Play with a plectrum.
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Play some basic chords with the ancient muting technique.
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Play on three basic ancient rhythms based on Aristoxenus' work (ancient Greek philosopher).
- Come up with your own simple melody, based on one of these ancient rhythms.
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Play the "Exasimos", an ancient Greek melody that survives until today.
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Play the "Epitaph of Seikilos", the oldest complete ancient Greek melody.
* Do you own a lyre with more strings? The course can be done by students with a kithara with 7 or more strings. Simple and step-by-step videos are available to prepare your lyre for the courses (including tuning).
Lesson 1 : Learn how to tune an ancient kithara
In this first lesson we are going to learn how to tune a musical instrument with movable crossbar: the ancient kithara.
Plus: Tuning apps for your kithara
Lesson 2 : Learn how to use a movable crossbar
It's time for our first experimentation with the movable crossbar! Let's explore some of the endless possibilities that an ancient kithara can "unlock" in our playing.
Plus: Your 1st exercise for an ancient kithara
Lesson 3 : Learn how to play with a plectrum
In this lesson you will learn how to play with a plectrum, while keeping a stable rhythm.
Plus: Extra exercises for kithara players
Lesson 4 : Learn how to play basic ancient rhythms
Which are the three basic rhythms according to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristoxenus? Let's practice further and combine what we have learnt by adding new rhythms to our playing!
Plus: Exercise for kithara players
Lesson 5 : Play chords with the ancient muting technique
In this lesson, you will learn an ancient playing technique called "muting". What is it, and what are the chords you can produce by applying it to your kithara playing?
Plus: Muting technique exercise for kithara players
Lesson 6 : Play chords' progressions on a kithara
There are some chord progressions that are very common in modern melodies, and we are familiar with. In this lesson, you will learn how to play and combine them in your kithara playing!
Plus: Chords' progressions exercise for kithara players
Lesson 7 : Combine chords and rhythms while playing
You already know what are the chords and how to play them, so it's time to add rhythm to your playing!
Plus: Rhythmic exercise for kithara players
Lesson 8 : Learn how to play "Exasimos"
In this lesson, you are going to learn your first ancient melody, the one it's called "Exasimos".
Plus: Music sheet for kithara players
Lesson 9 : Learn how to play "Epitaph of Seikilos"
In our final lesson, you are going to learn the chords to accompany the oldest complete ancient Greek melody that survives until today, the one it's called "Epitaph of Seikilos"!
Plus: Music sheet for kithara players
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 HD videos for each lesson.
- Lesson notes with extras.
- Music scores for kithara.
- $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.
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