I've had my Lyre for about 4 months now and I love it more every day. It's so easy to learn new songs. For some odd reason, my dogs fall asleep when I play so I play to them every night. (Hey..it's covid so no one else around to play to). It comes just as its seen in the video. I thought the craftsmanship was fine, no problems at all. I wish I would of bought this years ago.
I received mine a couple of days ago. I found no workmanship issues, whatsoever. I am a skilled wood worker myself and the quality is excellent. It could be that they are made under contract in multiple locations. This does happen with some products bought on line, and accounts for the wide variation in quality in the 'same' product. I'm totaly happy with mine. I clipped my violin tuner onto the lyre--which was handy, as I had to constantly re-tune the first day, a couple of times the second day--and very little on the third day. It is settling in as expected. I found that the tuner app on my phone also worked, but was more sluggish in its response. I did not have the notes stamped into the wood, but that was fine. I used paint markers to color the C strings red and the F strings blue (like harp strings).
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear the quality of your lyre met your expectations, and that it's settling in nicely. Usually, strings getting out of tune is the thing that give people the most headache in the beginning. It's definitely possible that they were made in different factories. I've also heard an opposing theory, that all the different brands were made in the same factory with slight variations, and then different brand names were printed on them. I also want to say that your idea of painting the strings different colors to resemble the harp strings is a great one. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
I have the same one and am fairly pleased with it but the middle g string was sounding dead because the eyelet/grommet at the bottom where it comes up and through was messed up so I put a tiny little metal piece under the string so it wasn't resting on a groove it had made in the wood and problem solved. I agree not the best made but after I fixed it, it does sound nice for an entry level lyre.
That's being resourceful! Other people have similar issues from the reviews I've seen. The Aklot may have small quality issues here and there but is overall pretty decent for a starter.
I unboxed my Aklot lyre (from Amazon) with you and guess what…no string identification etched into the wood! You can’t tune a string if you don’t have any idea which note to tune to lol. And loose tuning tool, no written anything anywhere. How do I spell disappointment Amazon/ Aklot. I so looked forward to getting this lyre! I watched so many videos and was very excited. But undaunted and looking forward to another delivery. Thank you for your videos! Disappointments and glitches happen here and there.
Hi Mary. I'm sorry to hear this happened. I can't imagine playing without the notes and I feel your disappointment! I hope you're able to return the lyre harp and get another brand. If not, maybe it's worth trying something I've seen others do. They put sticker labels next to the strings to mark them. Some people with a harp background would color the strings red & green like with harps. I hope this experience would not deter you from playing the lyre harp. It's a fun instrument that will provide hours of joy. :)
Hi Samantha, I'm having a great time learning to play my harp and I love watching your videos and learning from you. You inspired me to get this Aklot Bowl Harp and from other comments here it appears you've inspired many others to do the same. It's sound is exactly what I wanted in a harp. I'm wondering if anyone has noticed an issue, that I started having after 4 weeks. These harps aren't actually one solid piece of mahogany as the description says. They are pieced together, right down the middle. There is a seam at/on the middle A. The seam on my harp has started to open, slightly, but obviously enough that I can see it. I've emailed Aklot, first 3 weeks ago and again this week, but I am not getting a response. The 48 hour response time promise is not being adhered to. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a similar issue with their harp, or had success in contacting Aklot and would like to share how they were able to get in touch with the company.
Hi Ann Marie. This is an issue I haven't heard of. They might have changed the way they produce lyres, just like what they did with removing the letter notes after I got mine. It's unacceptable that the seam un-did itself so soon after you got it. Where did you buy it? Amazon has a return policy and people have successfully returned their lyres before, though I'm not sure if they were from Aklot. Another route is directly from Paypal if you paid through Paypal. I'm so sorry to hear you have this experience. I hope you'll be able to return it or get a refund.
Thanks for responding Samantha. I did purchase my harp from Amazon. As a matter of fact, I ordered a second one to see if it had the same seam, which it did, and it was very obvious because the wood grains didn't even match from left to right. I've already returned that second harp because I preferred the sound quality of the first one. My return window is still open for the first one, I have until the end of January and I'm hoping to hear from Aklot before then, I'll keep emailing them. In the meantime I continue to play it daily, it doesn't appear to be splitting further. I love this harp so much I'm going to be heartbroken if I have to return it. 🌺🎶🥀
@@annmariebucchino7718 I know how it feels to find a beloved instrument, especially one that took time and effort to look for. As the season changes, there is a chance the split could open as the wood expands and contracts based on humidity and temperature. Hopefully it's not going to affect you too much. The Chinese New Year holidays are public holidays in China (21 to 27 Jan). People will go back to their families in their hometowns. It's likely they will only get back to you at the end of this month.
Wow what a great review! Very detailed up and down the board. I'm sorry to see the craftsmanship wasn't up to your expectations, but you definitely made the best of it. I hope that didn't end up causing issues down the line. I must admit, I was a bit worried after you washing the bag, that it would shrink up and not fit but thankfully, it did. I'm surprised it arrived that dusty and the bag was dirty. I guess it happens at times, but I hope they take better care next time. You sure picked a tough song being a beginner at the time, but you nailed it perfectly in my opinion. I especially enjoyed this video because it shows the beginning of your journey with the Lyre. I'm quite honored actually to see the beginning of it all when you pulled it out of the bag and unwrapped it. Thank you for letting us be a part of this with you. 🙂🎶
Thank you! It was a cringe-worthy video for me because it was my first video and it was badly made, haha. When you mentioned the moment I pulled out the lyre, it got me feeling sentimental. Little did I know back then it would be the start of a journey that would last to now. I have every one of my viewers to thank, including you! Meeting people passionate about music is definitely a big bonus I got from playing the lyre.
@@SamanthaonMars You're welcome and hey, you and me both. I must admit, I felt a bit emotional seeing that special moment. It was the beginning of a new and exciting journey and I'm very thankful it was recorded to go back and witness. Seeing your huge list of accomplishments is most certainly the fruits of your efforts. For that, I'm proud of you and happy for you sticking with it, and also sharing what you've accomplished. It takes tons of dedication. You've come so far and I'm honored to continue watching you grow on this journey. 🙂 🤝
@@SamanthaonMars Also, I didn't think it was cringe-worthy at all. I thought it was a true defining moment. A very special one is what I saw. I thought it was greatly made but as you've said, we are our own worst critics, so I understand your point of view. I thought it was magic in the making, truly. 🙂
I got mine July 2021 and my only complaint is that its not chromatic. Mine sounds beautiful. I tuned it when i got it and its stayed in tune really well. The chromatic lyres cost more than a Celtic harp so I may get a harp instead.
Oh thank you! Nirvana is one of my favourite bands. Their music never gets old. I still listen to them and when I do, life feels so much better. I'm planning to cover Smells Like Teen Spirit soon. Not sure how the lyre will fit the song but it's worth a try!
you've actually inspired me to play the lyre! I can't wait to get one of my own so I could follow along with your videos 🥰❤️ I'm thinking of getting this exact same aklot lyre too! Quick question tho - the notes are already marked on the wood right? 'cause it looks a bit different on the pictures on amazon :o
Hello! Yes, mine has the notes marked on the wood. I didn't realize the Amazon pictures were different! I just looked at a couple of unboxing videos of the same brand. Sometimes there were no notes on them. Strange... maybe they have different versions.
@@SamanthaonMars ohh I see :o I also asked on amazon earlier if there are notes on the wood - one person said there are none while another person said there are, that they're just really tiny and hard to see. I'm a bit confused now lol😅 I really wanted to get the same lyre as you, but I might just get another model instead haha (ty for replying! 🥰❤)
Hi! So I just started following you out of inspiration to start learning the lyre and wanted to know your opinion on whether or not this one is good starter instrument in comparison to your other two? I purchased the Donner 16 string was incredibly disappointed in the quality and two strings broke while trying to tune it. Would you recommend this brand over donner? Thank you for your time.
Hi Jessica. I'm sorry this happened to you. I have three 16-string lyres from Aklot and I think they're all good starter instruments. I have a 7-string Donner, while its quality is good, the range is limited for the type of music I play. For starters, the range and scale would be a more important consideration than the brand. From what I observe of others, regardless of the brand, these Chinese-made budget lyres can sometimes be defective. It seems like a matter of chance. I'm happy to report I had no major defects with my lyres, but I could not say one brand is superior. I think it's more important to choose a lyre based on range, design, and sound. And in the unfortunate case that the lyre is a lemon, return or exchange it if the policy allows. If the return/exchange window has passed, you may try to search if someone has a fix on RUclips. Hope the information helps.
@@SamanthaonMars This definitely helps! Thank you for getting back to me. I’m exchanging it for another one and having a friend with more experience (mainly with guitars) help me tune to newer one. I also read that some people opted to switch the nylon strings for guitar ones because they’re sturdier? Not too sure on that, but I’ll dig further into it. Thank you again!
If your lyre is new, expect it to go out of tune easily the first 1 to 2 weeks. New strings need time to settle. After that, the strings will stay in tune better.
From the thickest string to the thinnest: G3 A3 B3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 B4 C5 D5 E5 F5 G5 A5 The tuning for each string is usually displayed on the product page.
@@SamanthaonMars thanks Samantha I’ve been really enjoying your lyre videos I’m planning on learning songs in The key of c for it too: One summers day (ghibli) Let it be (Beatles) Interstellar main theme Hallelujah Truman sleeps Time (inception) If you have yet to cover some of those and you decided to add them to your list for the 16 string lyre for me to follow along, then that would be awesome :)
@@SamanthaonMars glad to hear you’ve already created many of them, I’ll check them out. Do you have an instagram where you post your videos too? I’m more active there :)
New strings don't stay in tune very well at first. If you tune them everyday, they will begin to settle in about a week. Some people said it took them 2 weeks. You will notice a difference.
@@SamanthaonMars 🙏ever used nylon strings instead of steel? Only asking as I am accustomed to a nylon stringed mini-Kinnor but am trying a 7 string as a kind of back up (long story why!)..
@@pauthomp I haven't used nylon, but I know someone who has. Spoiler alert: she preferred steel strings. You can see/listen for yourself in this video, in which Sharon compared the sounds of the two types of strings: ruclips.net/video/_rVqrdIFYmM/видео.html
Hi, I've been a fan of the lyre for about 3 months and have thought to ask my dad to buy it. Now that we're at it, I'm having trouble because I see reviews everywhere that mention that the tuning pegs have bent over time or are just bent on the strings that require strong tension like your bowl lyre. So the main trouble I'm having is, what if we buy it but it isn't worth it because of the bent tuning pegs or any other damages. I'm just worried about that. So can I ask for your opinion? (Pls 🥺) (actually nervous and anxious to ask)
Hello! I'm so happy to hear you're interested in the lyre. And there's no need to feel nervous about asking a question. I try my best to answer each one. Yes, you're right about the tuning pegs. I've used this lyre for 2 years, and one of the pegs that was slanted on day 1 got more bent now than ever. It's a common problem with budget lyres, regardless of brand name. These lyres were mass-produced in a factory and their quality aren't perfect. I guess you get what you pay for. If quality is important to you, get a handmade lyre from a reputable luthier such as Brandon John (on Etsy). These lyres are much more durable (and beautiful, lol), and it's reflected in the much higher price. But beware that price isn't always an indicator of quality. Some Etsy sellers are selling cheap factory lyres at crazy high prices. I would look at lots of reviews, especially if I want an expensive lyre. I'll post a "lyre buying guide" link in the next comment. For your reference.
@@SamanthaonMars YES MA'AM , thank you very much for your uh humble reply? And hm...my parents we're right to find a luthier or someone who makes and sells it. (If we can afford it though...)
I had my 16 strings lyre a couple of days ago. Some tuners are really loose, can i ask how to tigten it? It's hard to tune since it keeps turning on it's own to it's original position. Or Is it normal phenomenon since it's new? BTW. Your videos help me discover how beautiful lyre is.
Hi! Yes, it's common for new lyres. They had to keep the strings loose during transit to protect them. When you first tighten the strings, they tend to loosen up again, almost immediately. Tune every day. In about a week the strings should start to settle. If I remember correctly, it took me 4 days. That's because the climate I live in is similar to where my lyre was produced. Some people said it took them 2 weeks for the strings to stop going out of tune. And thank you for the compliment! :)
@@hwangyeji6212 You're welcome! 😃The thing about budget lyres is sometimes there's a lemon. Some people would find one peg that never gets in tune, even after daily tuning. They have to return the lyre in the end. Let's hope it's not the case for you! Most people I know have no problem with their lyres.
If I buy a 24 string lyre harp will I be able to follow your tutorials with you using a 16 string lyre harp?(Im not sure which one I should buy a 16 string harp or a 24 string harp,but I can afford either)
The short answer is yes. A 24-string lyre has all the notes of my 16-string plus some more, so you'll be able to follow my videos. I'm not sure which model you're looking at, but some 24-string lyres have the strings oriented in the opposite direction so the video would be 'flipped'. (You can still follow the notes because they're the same). One thing you may consider is whether you want to utilize the wider range of the 24-string. 24 (and 21) is ideal for two-handed playing. One hand plays the melody in the higher range, and the other hand plays the bass notes in the lower range. The majority of my videos are designed for one hand, so perhaps 24 would be a little too much considering they're pricier, heavier, and bulkier than 16. If you'd like to experiment and create music on your own, then go for 24. You can do so much more with 24 than 16.
@@SamanthaonMars This might be a little too much too ask but a lot of the lyre harps you’ve recommended are not available in Japan so if you have time could you take a look at Amazon Japan and possibly send me a link to whichever one seems somewhat appealing to you( I can buy a harp with any amount of strings but I will be following your tutorials and I am a beginner so I think I’ll consider buying a 16 string harp) Thank you for your time Samantha
@@SamanthaonMars oh yeah don’t get me wrong it has a lovely sound I was just talking about the authenticity of the old lyre sound from Greece kinda hard though because the strings are metal and not gut strings 😅
Hey, here from italy!! Wow, cool review. Im wanna start practicing with harp and i try to find out which is best for me to Begin. I give this a chance! Thank you!
Hi. I'm happy you found my review helpful. Thank you! My review was done 3 years ago, and people have told me that newer versions of this lyre do not have the notes written on the wood anymore. If that's important to you, it's something to consider.
Hello! I'm a viewer from Russia! Your channel is really helpful, I very glad that I've found it. There is no any tutorials in the russian part ot the Net so I just want to say thank you for your work. However I have one question. Unfourtanately you can't play and teach us all songs of this world. I want to play some melodies but no one played them on lyre. Can I use chords that was created for other instruments? I really sorry if I asked stupid question. It's because I've never played any musical instruments before...
Hello! Thank you for your kindness. It means a lot to me when people tell me they appreciate my work. You asked a great question! Chords that you can find online typically just show you the harmony. You'll have to add the melody in other ways, such as by singing or playing another instrument. I've seen people play chords on the lyre. They usually use 2 techniques. One is strumming (usually on a lyre with fewer strings, like this one: ruclips.net/video/LxPNLweka9E/видео.html). The other is playing the notes in a chord separately. So you have to find out what notes are in a chord. One thing to consider is that many modern lyres (like mine) come in a 7-note scale. It means they have the white keys on a piano, but no black keys. However, many chords require black keys. What I'm saying is that chords can be played on the lyre but there are limitations. My suggestion is to look for sheet music online for the songs you want to play. If you're lucky, you can find one for free. Then you can learn to play from sheet music.
Why have you tuned this Lyre way lower than the strings' markers say? What is supposed to be the low 'G' is obviously tuned down to 'F', maybe down to 'E' ...
I tuned it to what the manufacturer said. Maybe because the lyre was new, the strings loosened themselves up pretty quickly. A common phenomenon with new lyres.
The tuning is very slightly off. I suggest buying an electronic tuner. They're VERY cheap. Or just use an app on your phone. I'm sure no one else noticed but you want it to have a nice tuned sound.
@@MooseCall Which was what? You want the specifics? The F was slightly flat. It was close enough that most people wouldn't notice. But whether or not they notice, it will sound better if tuned really well. Most stringed instruments can't even be tuned 100% correctly on all the notes because how they work. But harps and similar instruments are an exception. One note per string. And there are new contraptions like the fan fretted guitars. I don't know about them but I know they're made like that in order to account for some of those imperfections.
Just a suggestion but perhaps if you are going to do a review of a Lyre it would be more suitable to use actual Lyre Music rather than the headache inducing and distracting music currently being used? Beautiful Puddy Tat btw.
As a matter of fact, I did tune it. These lyres get out of tune very easily in the beginning. Once you tuned the strings right, they immediately started going back. Tuning was a pain, lol. This could last days (for me). Usually, a week is when most people notice the strings finally settling. Some people have even reported needing 2 weeks.
@Samantha on Mars ah right. That's handy to know Samantha. It is a lovely tune you played I just couldn't help noticing the tuning. I have ordered one and your video encouraged me to do so. I shall pay heed to your tuning advice
Mr. Bezos thanks you for the free plug. Every purchase from Amazon is a step further towards replacing the stores in your community with dimly lit distribution centers or data centers. Of course someone trying to sell a product isn't going to say anything bad about it in their "review".
Thing is, lyre harps aren't easily found in brick-and-mortar stores. Most of us got ours online. Perhaps if they're more popular, more stores will sell them? I did point out a few bad things about the product, lol.
Yeah, complete dealbreaker, so ugly. I must admit ugly looking things can theoretically sound good but if even drilling a hole goes so wrong, what else they got right... are those pegs stable for instance..ok the price is very ok. You get what you pay for as always
I've had my Lyre for about 4 months now and I love it more every day. It's so easy to learn new songs. For some odd reason, my dogs fall asleep when I play so I play to them every night. (Hey..it's covid so no one else around to play to). It comes just as its seen in the video. I thought the craftsmanship was fine, no problems at all. I wish I would of bought this years ago.
The lyre is so calming I think that's why your dogs fall asleep when you play. =)
does it work for kids too ,,, i'm going to try
i'm a begginer
*proceeds to play perfectly*
instablaster.
im thinking about getting a lyre soon, and your review is so nice, simple, and organized!! thank you so much :-)
I received mine a couple of days ago.
I found no workmanship issues, whatsoever. I am a skilled wood worker myself and the quality is excellent. It could be that they are made under contract in multiple locations. This does happen with some products bought on line, and accounts for the wide variation in quality in the 'same' product.
I'm totaly happy with mine. I clipped my violin tuner onto the lyre--which was handy, as I had to constantly re-tune the first day, a couple of times the second day--and very little on the third day. It is settling in as expected. I found that the tuner app on my phone also worked, but was more sluggish in its response.
I did not have the notes stamped into the wood, but that was fine.
I used paint markers to color the C strings red and the F strings blue (like harp strings).
Thanks for sharing your experience. I'm glad to hear the quality of your lyre met your expectations, and that it's settling in nicely. Usually, strings getting out of tune is the thing that give people the most headache in the beginning. It's definitely possible that they were made in different factories. I've also heard an opposing theory, that all the different brands were made in the same factory with slight variations, and then different brand names were printed on them. I also want to say that your idea of painting the strings different colors to resemble the harp strings is a great one. Thanks again for sharing your thoughts!
I have the same one and am fairly pleased with it but the middle g string was sounding dead because the eyelet/grommet at the bottom where it comes up and through was messed up so I put a tiny little metal piece under the string so it wasn't resting on a groove it had made in the wood and problem solved. I agree not the best made but after I fixed it, it does sound nice for an entry level lyre.
That's being resourceful!
Other people have similar issues from the reviews I've seen. The Aklot may have small quality issues here and there but is overall pretty decent for a starter.
Same issue with some of my string since is has no saddle! Stuck a peuce of paper under the strings.
I unboxed my Aklot lyre (from Amazon) with you and guess what…no string identification etched into the wood! You can’t tune a string if you don’t have any idea which note to tune to lol. And loose tuning tool, no written anything anywhere. How do I spell disappointment Amazon/ Aklot. I so looked forward to getting this lyre! I watched so many videos and was very excited. But undaunted and looking forward to another delivery. Thank you for your videos! Disappointments and glitches happen here and there.
Hi Mary. I'm sorry to hear this happened. I can't imagine playing without the notes and I feel your disappointment! I hope you're able to return the lyre harp and get another brand. If not, maybe it's worth trying something I've seen others do. They put sticker labels next to the strings to mark them. Some people with a harp background would color the strings red & green like with harps. I hope this experience would not deter you from playing the lyre harp. It's a fun instrument that will provide hours of joy. :)
Mine doesn't have the notes inscribed into it either. I simply tuned it up and colored the C strings red and the F strings blue with paint markers.
Amazing! Buy myself lyre harp sounds like a very good idea... Take care, Samantha!
Hi Samantha, I'm having a great time learning to play my harp and I love watching your videos and learning from you. You inspired me to get this Aklot Bowl Harp and from other comments here it appears you've inspired many others to do the same. It's sound is exactly what I wanted in a harp.
I'm wondering if anyone has noticed an issue, that I started having after 4 weeks. These harps aren't actually one solid piece of mahogany as the description says. They are pieced together, right down the middle. There is a seam at/on the middle A. The seam on my harp has started to open, slightly, but obviously enough that I can see it. I've emailed Aklot, first 3 weeks ago and again this week, but I am not getting a response. The 48 hour response time promise is not being adhered to. I'm wondering if anyone else has noticed a similar issue with their harp, or had success in contacting Aklot and would like to share how they were able to get in touch with the company.
Hi Ann Marie. This is an issue I haven't heard of. They might have changed the way they produce lyres, just like what they did with removing the letter notes after I got mine. It's unacceptable that the seam un-did itself so soon after you got it. Where did you buy it? Amazon has a return policy and people have successfully returned their lyres before, though I'm not sure if they were from Aklot. Another route is directly from Paypal if you paid through Paypal. I'm so sorry to hear you have this experience. I hope you'll be able to return it or get a refund.
Thanks for responding Samantha.
I did purchase my harp from Amazon. As a matter of fact, I ordered a second one to see if it had the same seam, which it did, and it was very obvious because the wood grains didn't even match from left to right. I've already returned that second harp because I preferred the sound quality of the first one.
My return window is still open for the first one, I have until the end of January and I'm hoping to hear from Aklot before then, I'll keep emailing them. In the meantime I continue to play it daily, it doesn't appear to be splitting further. I love this harp so much I'm going to be heartbroken if I have to return it. 🌺🎶🥀
@@annmariebucchino7718 I know how it feels to find a beloved instrument, especially one that took time and effort to look for. As the season changes, there is a chance the split could open as the wood expands and contracts based on humidity and temperature. Hopefully it's not going to affect you too much. The Chinese New Year holidays are public holidays in China (21 to 27 Jan). People will go back to their families in their hometowns. It's likely they will only get back to you at the end of this month.
Wow what a great review! Very detailed up and down the board. I'm sorry to see the craftsmanship wasn't up to your expectations, but you definitely made the best of it. I hope that didn't end up causing issues down the line. I must admit, I was a bit worried after you washing the bag, that it would shrink up and not fit but thankfully, it did. I'm surprised it arrived that dusty and the bag was dirty. I guess it happens at times, but I hope they take better care next time. You sure picked a tough song being a beginner at the time, but you nailed it perfectly in my opinion. I especially enjoyed this video because it shows the beginning of your journey with the Lyre. I'm quite honored actually to see the beginning of it all when you pulled it out of the bag and unwrapped it. Thank you for letting us be a part of this with you. 🙂🎶
Thank you! It was a cringe-worthy video for me because it was my first video and it was badly made, haha. When you mentioned the moment I pulled out the lyre, it got me feeling sentimental. Little did I know back then it would be the start of a journey that would last to now. I have every one of my viewers to thank, including you! Meeting people passionate about music is definitely a big bonus I got from playing the lyre.
@@SamanthaonMars You're welcome and hey, you and me both. I must admit, I felt a bit emotional seeing that special moment. It was the beginning of a new and exciting journey and I'm very thankful it was recorded to go back and witness. Seeing your huge list of accomplishments is most certainly the fruits of your efforts. For that, I'm proud of you and happy for you sticking with it, and also sharing what you've accomplished. It takes tons of dedication. You've come so far and I'm honored to continue watching you grow on this journey. 🙂 🤝
@@SamanthaonMars Also, I didn't think it was cringe-worthy at all. I thought it was a true defining moment. A very special one is what I saw. I thought it was greatly made but as you've said, we are our own worst critics, so I understand your point of view. I thought it was magic in the making, truly. 🙂
I got mine July 2021 and my only complaint is that its not chromatic. Mine sounds beautiful. I tuned it when i got it and its stayed in tune really well. The chromatic lyres cost more than a Celtic harp so I may get a harp instead.
I can't believe you played "The Man Who Sold the World!" OMG! Thank you!!!
I like this song a lot. 😃 Thanks for watching.
"That right there is why you're the best, boss!"
When you started playing Nirvana I lost it. You’re way better than you give yourself credit for.
Oh thank you! Nirvana is one of my favourite bands. Their music never gets old. I still listen to them and when I do, life feels so much better. I'm planning to cover Smells Like Teen Spirit soon. Not sure how the lyre will fit the song but it's worth a try!
@@SamanthaonMars If you could sing and play it, that video would take off. "Smells like the middle ages"
@@Gothfield Haha! Too bad I can't sing.
Finally did it! Smells Like Teen Spirit: ruclips.net/video/GzSjBzhQdLs/видео.html
I bought a lyre on Aliexpress and I don't know if it will be good. I hope so.
you've actually inspired me to play the lyre! I can't wait to get one of my own so I could follow along with your videos 🥰❤️ I'm thinking of getting this exact same aklot lyre too! Quick question tho - the notes are already marked on the wood right? 'cause it looks a bit different on the pictures on amazon :o
Hello! Yes, mine has the notes marked on the wood. I didn't realize the Amazon pictures were different! I just looked at a couple of unboxing videos of the same brand. Sometimes there were no notes on them. Strange... maybe they have different versions.
@@SamanthaonMars ohh I see :o I also asked on amazon earlier if there are notes on the wood - one person said there are none while another person said there are, that they're just really tiny and hard to see. I'm a bit confused now lol😅 I really wanted to get the same lyre as you, but I might just get another model instead haha (ty for replying! 🥰❤)
@@kay_f If the notes are important to you, get one that you know for sure has them. I wish you success in finding one you like. =)
I’m curious if you bought this from Amazon? It looks like they sent you a returned lyre.
can i ask what music you played here at 6:16? i forgot the title :((( and if you could also make a tutorial for this music. thanks 💕
The music is Ode to Joy. The tutorial's here: ruclips.net/video/hNtcvJyS0eo/видео.html
i didnt expect that you'll reply :0 tysm!
Hi! So I just started following you out of inspiration to start learning the lyre and wanted to know your opinion on whether or not this one is good starter instrument in comparison to your other two? I purchased the Donner 16 string was incredibly disappointed in the quality and two strings broke while trying to tune it. Would you recommend this brand over donner? Thank you for your time.
Hi Jessica. I'm sorry this happened to you. I have three 16-string lyres from Aklot and I think they're all good starter instruments. I have a 7-string Donner, while its quality is good, the range is limited for the type of music I play. For starters, the range and scale would be a more important consideration than the brand. From what I observe of others, regardless of the brand, these Chinese-made budget lyres can sometimes be defective. It seems like a matter of chance. I'm happy to report I had no major defects with my lyres, but I could not say one brand is superior. I think it's more important to choose a lyre based on range, design, and sound. And in the unfortunate case that the lyre is a lemon, return or exchange it if the policy allows. If the return/exchange window has passed, you may try to search if someone has a fix on RUclips. Hope the information helps.
@@SamanthaonMars This definitely helps! Thank you for getting back to me. I’m exchanging it for another one and having a friend with more experience (mainly with guitars) help me tune to newer one.
I also read that some people opted to switch the nylon strings for guitar ones because they’re sturdier? Not too sure on that, but I’ll dig further into it.
Thank you again!
can you do a video on how to tune it
If your lyre is new, expect it to go out of tune easily the first 1 to 2 weeks. New strings need time to settle. After that, the strings will stay in tune better.
What is the tuning for each of the strings? I can’t find it online
From the thickest string to the thinnest:
G3 A3 B3 C4 D4 E4 F4 G4 A4 B4 C5 D5 E5 F5 G5 A5
The tuning for each string is usually displayed on the product page.
@@SamanthaonMars thanks Samantha
I’ve been really enjoying your lyre videos
I’m planning on learning songs in The key of c for it too:
One summers day (ghibli)
Let it be (Beatles)
Interstellar main theme
Hallelujah
Truman sleeps
Time (inception)
If you have yet to cover some of those and you decided to add them to your list for the 16 string lyre for me to follow along, then that would be awesome :)
@@gunterstunter That's cool. I've covered the first four songs on your list. No plans on the remaining two for now, but I'll keep your ideas in mind!
@@SamanthaonMars glad to hear you’ve already created many of them, I’ll check them out.
Do you have an instagram where you post your videos too? I’m more active there :)
@@gunterstunter I do not have Instagram.
Does it stay in tune? Mine has to be tuned up a smidge every time I play
New strings don't stay in tune very well at first. If you tune them everyday, they will begin to settle in about a week. Some people said it took them 2 weeks. You will notice a difference.
Hello Samantha. I have purchased this Lyre Harp from Aklot. Hoping to learn some great tips from you.
Welcome! Nice to meet you. I hope you'll find what you need on my channel!
Really helpful positive channel thanks
Thanks for watching!
@@SamanthaonMars 🙏ever used nylon strings instead of steel? Only asking as I am accustomed to a nylon stringed mini-Kinnor but am trying a 7 string as a kind of back up (long story why!)..
@@pauthomp I haven't used nylon, but I know someone who has. Spoiler alert: she preferred steel strings. You can see/listen for yourself in this video, in which Sharon compared the sounds of the two types of strings: ruclips.net/video/_rVqrdIFYmM/видео.html
@@SamanthaonMars lovely much appreciated response thanks 🙏
@@pauthomp You're so welcome! :)
Hi, I've been a fan of the lyre for about 3 months and have thought to ask my dad to buy it. Now that we're at it, I'm having trouble because I see reviews everywhere that mention that the tuning pegs have bent over time or are just bent on the strings that require strong tension like your bowl lyre. So the main trouble I'm having is, what if we buy it but it isn't worth it because of the bent tuning pegs or any other damages. I'm just worried about that. So can I ask for your opinion? (Pls 🥺) (actually nervous and anxious to ask)
Hello! I'm so happy to hear you're interested in the lyre. And there's no need to feel nervous about asking a question. I try my best to answer each one.
Yes, you're right about the tuning pegs. I've used this lyre for 2 years, and one of the pegs that was slanted on day 1 got more bent now than ever. It's a common problem with budget lyres, regardless of brand name. These lyres were mass-produced in a factory and their quality aren't perfect. I guess you get what you pay for. If quality is important to you, get a handmade lyre from a reputable luthier such as Brandon John (on Etsy). These lyres are much more durable (and beautiful, lol), and it's reflected in the much higher price.
But beware that price isn't always an indicator of quality. Some Etsy sellers are selling cheap factory lyres at crazy high prices. I would look at lots of reviews, especially if I want an expensive lyre. I'll post a "lyre buying guide" link in the next comment. For your reference.
Lyre Buying Guide with lots of useful information: www.reddit.com/r/lyres/wiki/lyrebuyingguide/
@@SamanthaonMars YES MA'AM , thank you very much for your uh humble reply? And hm...my parents we're right to find a luthier or someone who makes and sells it. (If we can afford it though...)
@@shimaehe2986 Happy to help! I believe there's a list of luthiers in the link I sent you. You can click on their sites to check them out.
@@SamanthaonMars ok ma'am (if we can buy it TwT...and maybe we'll find someone in this country)
thank you much Samantha; You re an Angel
Thank you! It's so nice of you to leave me a comment. :)
Are you able to play it with both hands ?
Yes, you can play with both hands. The other hand can access the strings from the back through the opening.
They say that the little pickup is meant to be in the middle of the bowl
I didn't know it then, but the pickup must be stuck on the lyre, or else it'll pickup its own vibrations.
I had my 16 strings lyre a couple of days ago. Some tuners are really loose, can i ask how to tigten it? It's hard to tune since it keeps turning on it's own to it's original position. Or Is it normal phenomenon since it's new? BTW. Your videos help me discover how beautiful lyre is.
Hi! Yes, it's common for new lyres. They had to keep the strings loose during transit to protect them. When you first tighten the strings, they tend to loosen up again, almost immediately. Tune every day. In about a week the strings should start to settle. If I remember correctly, it took me 4 days. That's because the climate I live in is similar to where my lyre was produced. Some people said it took them 2 weeks for the strings to stop going out of tune. And thank you for the compliment! :)
Thankyou :D
I almost thought the lyre i bought was defective
@@hwangyeji6212 You're welcome! 😃The thing about budget lyres is sometimes there's a lemon. Some people would find one peg that never gets in tune, even after daily tuning. They have to return the lyre in the end. Let's hope it's not the case for you! Most people I know have no problem with their lyres.
Thanks for responding Samantha. I can see a slightly changes, some strings are getting in tune. Hope to see more video tutorials of you
@@hwangyeji6212 You're welcome! Have a great day too! :)
If I buy a 24 string lyre harp will I be able to follow your tutorials with you using a 16 string lyre harp?(Im not sure which one I should buy a 16 string harp or a 24 string harp,but I can afford either)
The short answer is yes. A 24-string lyre has all the notes of my 16-string plus some more, so you'll be able to follow my videos. I'm not sure which model you're looking at, but some 24-string lyres have the strings oriented in the opposite direction so the video would be 'flipped'. (You can still follow the notes because they're the same). One thing you may consider is whether you want to utilize the wider range of the 24-string. 24 (and 21) is ideal for two-handed playing. One hand plays the melody in the higher range, and the other hand plays the bass notes in the lower range. The majority of my videos are designed for one hand, so perhaps 24 would be a little too much considering they're pricier, heavier, and bulkier than 16. If you'd like to experiment and create music on your own, then go for 24. You can do so much more with 24 than 16.
@@SamanthaonMars This might be a little too much too ask but a lot of the lyre harps you’ve recommended are not available in Japan so if you have time could you take a look at Amazon Japan and possibly send me a link to whichever one seems somewhat appealing to you( I can buy a harp with any amount of strings but I will be following your tutorials and I am a beginner so I think I’ll consider buying a 16 string harp) Thank you for your time Samantha
To be fair it makes a lovely sound but I think a lyre should have a proper sound box to have that authentic sound
Before making the purchase, I compared this one to a lyre with a soundbox, and I like this one better. It depends on personal preference I guess.
@@SamanthaonMars oh yeah don’t get me wrong it has a lovely sound I was just talking about the authenticity of the old lyre sound from Greece kinda hard though because the strings are metal and not gut strings 😅
Hey, here from italy!! Wow, cool review. Im wanna start practicing with harp and i try to find out which is best for me to Begin. I give this a chance!
Thank you!
Hi. I'm happy you found my review helpful. Thank you! My review was done 3 years ago, and people have told me that newer versions of this lyre do not have the notes written on the wood anymore. If that's important to you, it's something to consider.
@@SamanthaonMars yes I notice that, but it's not a problem, I written the note on a sheet of paper, if I need them. Thanks for the advice!
I bought the same liar from Amazon last week
I hope it'll give you endless joy and contentment!
Was yours scraped with bent legs as well?
Hello! I'm a viewer from Russia! Your channel is really helpful, I very glad that I've found it. There is no any tutorials in the russian part ot the Net so I just want to say thank you for your work. However I have one question. Unfourtanately you can't play and teach us all songs of this world. I want to play some melodies but no one played them on lyre. Can I use chords that was created for other instruments? I really sorry if I asked stupid question. It's because I've never played any musical instruments before...
Hello! Thank you for your kindness. It means a lot to me when people tell me they appreciate my work. You asked a great question! Chords that you can find online typically just show you the harmony. You'll have to add the melody in other ways, such as by singing or playing another instrument.
I've seen people play chords on the lyre. They usually use 2 techniques. One is strumming (usually on a lyre with fewer strings, like this one: ruclips.net/video/LxPNLweka9E/видео.html). The other is playing the notes in a chord separately. So you have to find out what notes are in a chord.
One thing to consider is that many modern lyres (like mine) come in a 7-note scale. It means they have the white keys on a piano, but no black keys. However, many chords require black keys. What I'm saying is that chords can be played on the lyre but there are limitations.
My suggestion is to look for sheet music online for the songs you want to play. If you're lucky, you can find one for free. Then you can learn to play from sheet music.
@@SamanthaonMars, Thank you! You are a real savior for people who need help in playing lyre!
Is it good gor liveperformance
I haven't had the experience, lol. You'll have to hook the pickup to a good amplifier.
Why have you tuned this Lyre way lower than the strings' markers say? What is supposed to be the low 'G' is obviously tuned down to 'F', maybe down to 'E' ...
I tuned it to what the manufacturer said. Maybe because the lyre was new, the strings loosened themselves up pretty quickly. A common phenomenon with new lyres.
I was just listening to Man who Sold the World earlier today, lol...
Oh that's very cool! I'm sure you have good taste in music! 😉
Vende para o Brasil??
I’m not sure, I got it from Amazon US. You maybe able to find it on Amazon Brazil.
The tuning is very slightly off. I suggest buying an electronic tuner. They're VERY cheap. Or just use an app on your phone. I'm sure no one else noticed but you want it to have a nice tuned sound.
Thank you for the suggestion! I'm now using a tuner app on my phone.
Very slightly? Which is it? 🤣
@@MooseCall Which was what? You want the specifics? The F was slightly flat. It was close enough that most people wouldn't notice. But whether or not they notice, it will sound better if tuned really well. Most stringed instruments can't even be tuned 100% correctly on all the notes because how they work. But harps and similar instruments are an exception. One note per string. And there are new contraptions like the fan fretted guitars. I don't know about them but I know they're made like that in order to account for some of those imperfections.
Playing it on the table surface causes the table to vibrate which is what the sound is picking up.
Why is the bag so dirty
I have no idea. It arrived in the box like this.
Poor quality? Why didn't you send it back?
There are a few defects but they're minor and don't affect playability so I keep it.
Bravo
Megusta mucho tu canal
Just a suggestion but perhaps if you are going to do a review of a Lyre it would be more suitable to use actual Lyre Music rather than the headache inducing and distracting music
currently being used? Beautiful Puddy Tat btw.
I knew nothing about lyre music back then, and there were no free resources online. I just played what I knew, LOL.
Oh do you mean the background music? Looking back, I agree it was pretty annoying. 😂 It was my first ever video, still got a lot to learn.
@@SamanthaonMars What is the song you used? I really like it actually! haha
Should have tuned it first, several strings out of whack
As a matter of fact, I did tune it. These lyres get out of tune very easily in the beginning. Once you tuned the strings right, they immediately started going back. Tuning was a pain, lol. This could last days (for me). Usually, a week is when most people notice the strings finally settling. Some people have even reported needing 2 weeks.
@Samantha on Mars ah right. That's handy to know Samantha. It is a lovely tune you played I just couldn't help noticing the tuning. I have ordered one and your video encouraged me to do so. I shall pay heed to your tuning advice
Mr. Bezos thanks you for the free plug. Every purchase from Amazon is a step further towards replacing the stores in your community with dimly lit distribution centers or data centers. Of course someone trying to sell a product isn't going to say anything bad about it in their "review".
Thing is, lyre harps aren't easily found in brick-and-mortar stores. Most of us got ours online. Perhaps if they're more popular, more stores will sell them? I did point out a few bad things about the product, lol.
The scrapings on the drill holes only show how chinese it is.
Yeah, complete dealbreaker, so ugly. I must admit ugly looking things can theoretically sound good but if even drilling a hole goes so wrong, what else they got right... are those pegs stable for instance..ok the price is very ok. You get what you pay for as always
Dirty from Amazon. Better to buy from a music store.
None of the music stores near me sold them. It seemed at that time that online was the only option.
@@SamanthaonMars I understand that. Thank you for the reply and have a wonderful day.
hello Samantha I'm from Brazil and I bought my lyre, I really like your channel and I hope to learn a lot from you (Google tradutor) xd
Hello! Thank you for watching. I’m happy to know my videos helped! Happy new year and have fun playing!
Happy New Year to you