HOW TO ACQUIRE A LYRE!
Posted on January 24, 2012 with 1 commentMAKERS OF BIBLICAL LYRES
Below are some links to the sites of specialist musical instrument makers who manufacture quality replicas of the Biblical Kinnor and Nevel.
For the beginner, I personally reccomend the incredibly affordable models by Mid East Ethnic Instruments. For the more accomplished player, nothing beats the outstanding quality of the hand-made Marini Made Davidic Harp
MID EAST ETHNIC INSTRUMENTS
Both the best value & the most affordable manufacturer, from which I purchased my own replica Kinnor. The retail price of their replica Biblical Kinnor, direct from the manufacturer is presently just $269!
These lyres are ideal for beginners, thanks to sheer affordability...
For the absolute beginner, they make a mini version of their full size Kinnor, for a mere $72.90!!!
Buy This Kinnor From Mid East Ethnic Instruments!
Mid East Ethnic Instruments manufacture a replica Biblical Kinnor based on the illustrations of the Kinnor based upon contemporary illustrations of the lyre found on 2nd century Jewish coins from the time of the Simon Bar Kochba Revolt against the Roman occupation of Judea in 134CE:
Their replica Kinnor is now available in both Mahogany or Rosewood/ Light Ash, with DuPont nylon harp strings - these have almost the tone of authentic gut strings (although slightly brighter & more resonant than actual gut). The advantage of nylon strings is the extra stability of tuning, string durability, & a lot less expense when it comes to replacing the strings...the cost of gut harp strings is horrendous, they go out of tune whenever there is any humidity, and only last a few months before the fragile gut snaps. I have had my original set of strings on the lyre since I first b in 2006, and it they still sound as good as new!
The colour-coding of the strings (just as on a regular harp) enables the player to very quickly locate where the 4ths & 5ths are in whatever scale/mode the strings are tuned to.
There are problems with recreating the actual sound of the original Biblical Kinnor on this instrument, as best described in the recent review on iTunes (USA), made by John Wheeler:
"I have had the privilege - and I count it exactly that - of helping Michael Levy in his efforts to apply himself to the ten-stringed lyre (kinnor). Being more specialized on the academic side, I know just how hazardous it is to say that Michael's efforts tell us what King David's lyre really sounded like. The miracle is that Michael is able to get as close to ancient practice (as documented by archaeology, Hebrew Scripture and various treatises) as he does, given the limitations of the instrument he uses. It mics extremely well, but it is a very poor acoustic instrument (I know, I used to own one of them), it uses modern nylon strings, and it has a higher string tension than most ancient instruments. All this changes the tone (as do other things such as modern glues and woodworking techniques). Michael's lyre is an ancient instrument in a modern form and should be approached as such.
That said, beginning with this album Michael concentrates on applying everything he learns about ancient lyre playing and tuning, using his long experience as a klezmer musician to adapt traditional and original tunes to the limitations of the lyre. And happily; he only gets better and better as he goes.
The one real concession to modernity that Michael makes (besides the instrument itself) is the equal temperament of his scales. If he ever learns how to apply ancient tunings, particularly just tuning (and he tells me his ears aren't fine enough to do so thus far), he will add purity to intensity in his performances. "
However, the compromises I had to make with this particular instrument for me, far outweigh the disadvantages. The nylon strings, although birghter in tone than original gut strings, have the advantage of stability of pitch - essential for studio work! For my studio recrdings, I decided to comprommise slightky, and use equal temperament tuning for purely practical purposes - a nice, modern 21st centruy digital chromatic tuner keeps the replica lyre in better sounding tuning than my not so perfect ears are able to do so! My intitial attempts to tune the Kinnor in just tuning just sounded out of tune, given my unfortunate lack of perfect pitch...
My only very slight criticism, is that the soundboard of their Kinnor is just a little too thick, which tends to stifle the tone & volume slightly.However, in the recording studio, or when used with any regular guitar amp with an acoustic guitar pickup attached, their Kinnor sounds perfect!
For my earlier Youtube videos, I used a regular Leem acoustic guitar pickup attached behind the bridge towards the treble end of the strings, a little preamp, leading to my VOX Valvetronix guitar amplifier...using with just a hint of reverb, for that essential "ethereal" sound!
Their interpretation of the Biblical Nevel, is that discussed earlier in the "Historical Details" section - that this was probably a lyre with a skin membrane:
Buy This Nevel From Mid East Ethnic Instruments!
The Biblical Nevel is an elusive instrument, but the following illustration seen on some of the 2nd century Simon Bar Kochba coins, seems to show a lyre which may be the Biblical Nevel, and seems to show the reverse of a lyre, which has a resonator over which a circular skin-soundboard of taut leather is stretched:
There are a just a few design faults with their interpretation of the Biblical Nevel. Firstly, according to the writing of the 1st Century Jewish Historian, Josephus Flavius in hs "Antiquities", he description of the Nevel, he states that it had 12 strings (presumably to represent the Twelve Tribe of Israel?) - the Mid East Ethnic Instrument interpretation of the Nevel has 15 strings.
Also, as described in the "History of the Lyre" section of this website, from the ancient Rabbinical writings of the Mishna, it is likely that the Biblical Nevel had a resonator made of Lotus ribbing...the Mid East Ethnic Instrument interpretation of this Biblical Lyre is open-back with no resonator behind the skin soundboard (which leads to a significant loss of volume).
The final little problem with their Nevel, is the lack of colour-coding on the strings - 15 strings with no visual indication of where the crucial 4ths & 5ths are located, makes it very difficult to quickly locate the desired note. However, by simply using a red & blue CD Marker pen to literally "colour in" the 4ths & 5ths, this problem can easily be overcome! I did this little trick, when I recorded my album, "The Ancient Biblical Lyre", which features the Mid East Ethnic Instrument interpretation of the Biblical Nevel.
In my opinion, both the appearance, affordability & use of near "gut sounding" buy stable nylon harp strings on these instruments makes Mid East Ethnic Instruments replica Biblical lyres the best buy, by far!
MARINI MADE HARPS
I have only recently discovered these amazing-sounding replica 10-string Kinnors - a beautiful harp-like tone. They seem to be of far superior quality to the Kinnor made by Mid East Ethnic Instruments (which despite their drawbacks, are still the most suitable lyre for the beginner) - due to a thinner soundboard on the Marini Kinnor, these lyres produce a more harp-like, less "stiffled" purely acoustic tone....I have just bought one! Here is a video of my first ever "heavenly pluck":
They currently retail for $325...
Buy This Kinnor From Marini Made Harps!
My main attraction to the Marini Davidic Harp, is that due to the superior construction and lighter soundboard, these lyres are suitable for the use of authentic, low tension gut strings - and being hand-made, the Marini family have even experimented with the use of gut strings for optimum tone:
"This past weekend we attended a harp event in North Carolina where I discovered where to buy gut strings for our Davidic harp. Some time ago, I tried some gut strings on our Davidic harp (samples that I had received from Bow Brand Company in England). We could tell a difference in the quality of the sound when we used gut strings on the lowest four notes (C, D, E, & F)... the high notes didn't sound much better. It was not very cost effective for us to buy a lot of gut strings in large quantities direct from England, but I thought that I'd make you aware that the Atlanta Harp Center does sell Bow Brand gut strings in individual packages. I had my personal Davidic Harp along at this event, so I brought it over to their booth and compared the strings to what they had there, and this is what I'm recommending for those who want to take this harp "a step up" in sound quality.... (gut strings are mellow sounding whereas nylon sound bright)
Order these strings...
Burgundy No. 24 (4th Octave) C .... $13.00
Burgundy No. 23 (4th Octave) D .... $13.00
Burgundy No. 22 (4th Octave) E ..... $13.00
Burgundy No. 21 (3rd Octave) F ...... $ 8.50
These strings are made for pedal harps, but are the right thickness for the lower strings on this Davidic harp. It gives the low strings a much more mellow low tone than the nylon strings... but we feel the upper strings sounded better and brighter with the nylon strings. Yes, they are expensive... but mine have lasted a couple years now without breaking. If you want to check it out, go to their website at:
www.atlantaharpcenter.com
On their "home page" go to the left side and under "strings" click onto "Burgundy Gut"
Then scroll to the bottom and click onto page 2+3 to go to the 3rd+4th octave"
Marini Made Harps are are small family-based company - to order a harp or lyre from them, it is necessary to send a bankers draught or cheque, as they do not deal with online transactions.
HARRARI HARPS
Harrari Harps are based in Israel, and manufacture luthier quality lyres with authentic gut strings - with the ultimate goal of their lyres being played in the Third Temple of Jerusalem! They manufacture two styles of Kinnor - based on the 2 types of lyre depicted on the Simon Bar Kochba coins:
TYPE A:
TYPE B:
Below is their interpretation of the "Type A" Biblical Lyre:
Below is their interpretation of the "Type B" Biblical Lyre:
The lyre depicted on the first coin ("Type A") may, in fact be the elusive Biblical "Nevel", rather than the Kinnor, as discussed earlier in the "History of the Lyre" section.
My main criticism of these "replica" lyres, is that depsite all the effort and craftsmanship, they bear no resemblance to the lyres seen in the archeomusicological records - for a start, neither model has a bridge over which the strings pass (the definintion of wat a lyre is, compared to a harp, whereby the stirngs enter the body of the instrument)...these "lyres" therefore, are in fact, very attractive, but organologically incorrect, portable harps!
Harrari Harps also manufacture high quality standard sized harps, (their own interpretation of the Biblical Nevel) which have 22 strings - corresponding to the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet! Although the Nevel was far more likely to have been a lyre rather than a harp, (as discussed earlier in the "Historical Research" section), this does in no way distract from the frankly amazing craftsmanship of Harrari's beautiful replica Biblical instruments...
DAVID HARP COMPANY
Abbot David Michael is another luthier quality maker of the Biblical Kinnor based in the USA, who designs his Kinnors based on ancient illustrations of type B lyres, as depicted on the Simon Bar Kochba coins above:
MARINO GUTIERREZ
Marino Gutierre is a luthier quality maker of musical instruments based in Spain, and amongs his fine had-crafed instruments, he makes a fine replica of the Kinnor based on Type B illustrations of the Kinnor, as seen on the Simon Bar Kochba coins:
His concept of the Biblical Nevel is the same as that produced by Mid East Ethnic Instruments - a skin-membrane lyre, similar to the ancient Greek "Lyra" :
Both his lyres feature authentic gut strings...
Vist Marino's website here
JUBILEE HARPS
A company in the USA which specializes in manufacturing replica Biblical lyres based on illutrations on the Bar Kochba coins of type A.
As mentioned above, the type A lyre on the Simon Bar Kochba coins may more likely be a representation of the Biblical Nevel, rather than the Kinnor. However, the lyres are very well crafted.
My only criticism, is that Jubilee Harps use steel strings - a material that was not even invented in the Bronze Age, when the Biblical lyres were first being made! However, the steel strings do give a very pleasant reverb, and a unique sound:
These lyres would also be ideal for playing traditional Egyptian music, as the Simsimyya lyre still played in Port Said in Egypt, traditionally uses metal strings.
For further details, please see the link to their website below:
A REPLICA ANCIENT GREEK LYRE MAKER!
NIKOLAOS BRASS
Nikolaos Brass specializes in making amazing hand-crafted replicas of the Lyres of Ancient Greece, including the Kithara - almost identical to the Lyre of the Ancient Hebrews:
All his lyres feature authentic gut strings. Here is the link to his Myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/nikolaosbrass
AN ANGLO SAXON LYRE MAKER
Michael J. King manufactures luthier quality replicas of the Anglo saxon Lyre, which date to before the 10th century CE:
For full details, please visit Michael's fascinating website:
http://www.michaeljking.com/Lyres.htm
THE EGYPTIAN SIMSIMIYYA (Arabic: سمسمية)
The Simsimiyya (sometimes spelt "Semsemia") is a lyre still played today in Egypt around Port Said, as featured in the amazing recordings of the band "El Tanboura". These beautiful wire-strung lyres can be purchased from:
http://www.nilecommerce.net/en/Oriental_Musical_Instruments/semsemia.htm
ARHCAIC AFRICAN ARCHED HARPS
My album "The Ancient Egyptian Harp" features an archaic African Harp, the "Adungu" of Uganda - an incredible instrument almost identical to the ancient Egyptian arched harp:
THE ADUNGU ARCHED HARP OF UGANDA...
EXAMPLE OF A PRESERVED ANCIENT EGYPTIAN 18th DYNASTY ARCHED HARP...
Adungu harps can be ordered from:
RETAILERS OF BIBLICAL LYRES
Finally, below are some links to music retail stores who stock replica Biblical Lyres...Happy shopping!
THE EARLY MUSIC SHOP, BRADFORD, UK
I purchased my own replica Kinnor from this store back in January 2006...
http://www.earlymusicshop.com/product.aspx/en-GB/1000662-ems-kinnor-harp
THE HARP AND DRAGON
http://www.harpanddragon.com/kinnornevel.htm
GKS WIGETS
http://www.gkswidgets.com/biin.html