The solid rosewood body lends itself to the soft gentle curves of this eight string lyre. The eight metal strings provide a classical sound that is enhanced by the solid spruce soundboard. When you are not playing, you can hang it up as a piece of art; it’s that pretty. Tuning tool, extra string set included. Hold it upright on your lap or as you walk, and pluck both sides of the strings. Or lay it flat and pluck it. 10 inches wide by 17 inches long, 2.75 inches deep. There are a Few suggestions for tuning.

An authentic tuning derived from Judaic worship music, where the instrument was used to accompany the singing of the Chazzan, also known as a Cantor.  This style of tuning uses the Chazzanut mode.

Starting with the bass (largest strings) tune as follows:  E F G# A B C D E (Ahava Raba mode)

In the early Middle Ages in  Eastern Europe, the secularization of the Jewish worship music gave rise to Klezmer music.  Jewish troubadours, known as klezmorim  gave the music a place in weddings and other simkhes (joyful events).  The Klezmer music eventually blended with Slavonic, Greek, Turkish, Gypsy and even American jazz tempos and rhythms.   For Klezmer music try the Misheberakh mode which is:  E F# G A# B C# D E

Two alternative tunings that work well with singers comfortable sing in the Key of G are (again bass to treble): E F# G A B C D E (Natural minor) and D E F# G A B C D (E is tonic). Notice, in the second tuning, all the notes are the same but you're starting on D rather than E.

SPECIAL NOTE; No Warranty on Strings:

Whether you purchase an instrument on-line or in a neighborhood store, manufacturers recommend that you change the strings on your instrument as soon as you receive it. Your instrument has completed a long journey to your home. During this time the strings WILL oxidize and this may shorten their life expectancy and may reduce their sound quality. On occasion instruments may arrive with a broken string, therefore, it is recommended that you purchase a replacement set of strings and consider changing your strings as soon as it arrives. Learning to change strings should be the first lesson learned when embarking on the journey of playing a new instrument.