Lira (instrument)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The lira, or relia, is a variant of the hurdy-gurdy, an instrument which can trace its history back to the 10th century. It is thought that the lira was introduced into Ukraine in the 17th century. It was used as an instrument to accompany religious psalms and epic ballads (known as dumy) performed by wandering blind musicians called lirnyky (sing. lirnyk). Occasionally lirnyky were hired to play dance music at weddings. They often organized themselves into guilds or brotherhoods with their own laws and secret language. The traditional lira has three strings, one on which the melody is played with the aid of a special keyboard, the other two producing a drone of a fifth. The sound is produced by a wooden wheel which is rotated by a crank held in the right hand. This wheel rubs against the strings, setting them in motion like a bow on a violin.
A number of different types of chromatic liras have been produced in Ukraine, however interest in the instrument has declined considerably.
For more information on the lira visit the Hurdy Gurdy Home Page.
[edit] Sources
Mizynec, Victor - Folk Instruments of Ukraine (Bayda books, Australia 1987)
