A 16-string mahogany lyre that sounds good before you can read music
Is this the right fit?
- Best for
- adults picking up a first instrument, people who want something to play without practicing scales first, and anyone drawn to an instrument that also looks good on a shelf
- Skip if
- It needs retuning fairly often at first while the new strings stretch and settle
- Check before ordering
- Confirm the dimensions, exact model, included parts and return terms on the Amazon listing before ordering.
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A 16-string lyre harp with a solid mahogany body, tuned to a diatonic scale so that almost any combination of strings you pluck sounds consonant. That is the practical appeal for beginners: unlike a guitar, there is no wrong-note chord shape to learn before it sounds like music. The kit includes a tuning wrench, three plectrums, a full spare string set, a note sticker sheet for the strings, a padded black bag, and an instruction manual. It is small enough to hold in your lap and quiet enough for an apartment. Best fit: adults picking up a first instrument, people who want something to play without practicing scales first, and anyone drawn to an instrument that also looks good on a shelf.
Pros
- Diatonic tuning means most string combinations sound consonant from the start
- Kit includes a full spare string set, so a broken string is not a shipping delay
- Quiet acoustic volume works in an apartment without bothering neighbors
- Padded bag included, so it travels without a separate case purchase
Cons
- It needs retuning fairly often at first while the new strings stretch and settle
Frequently asked questions
Does it come tuned?
It ships roughly tuned but will need adjusting on arrival, and again over the first couple of weeks while the strings settle.
Do I need to read music to play it?
No. The included note stickers label each string, and the diatonic tuning means most combinations sound pleasant even before you learn to read notation.
What is included in the kit?
The 16-string lyre, a tuning wrench, three plectrums, 16 spare strings, a note sticker sheet, a padded black bag and an instruction manual.
How often will I need to tune it?
Expect frequent tuning for the first few weeks while new strings stretch, then roughly before each play session like any string instrument.
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