Dreamharp

Useful Tip 1 - Familiar Tunes

The Dreamharp is based on the pentatonic scale, which is uses in various musical traditions including Oriental/Asian, Celtic, African and the blues (which has its roots in African music anyway).

So have fun experimenting with familiar tunes - you will be surprised to find how many you can play on the Dreamharp, apart from creating your own original compositions!

Examples are:

• Mother Earth

• Amazing Grace

• Auld Lang Syne

• Sukiyaki

• Danny Boy (the first few bars, anyway)

• Mary Had a Little Lamb

• Oh susanna (the first few bars)
  
  
  
  

Useful Tip 2 - Notation System if you don't read Music

This is a very simple notation system. Very rough but hopefully you can work it out as you go!
Going from left to right, thickes to thinnest strings, on the rihgt-handed Dreamharp. For left handed Dreamharp, simply reverse the order.

Thickest

① - ② - ③ - ④ - ⑤ - ⑥ - ⑦ - ⑧ - ⑨ - ⑩ - ⑪ - ⑫
 D – E – G – A – B – D1 – E1 – G1 – A1 – B1 – D2 – E2 

TRANSCRIBED TUNES

Note: You can transpose and play a whole scale up or down.
Playing in groups for harmony, play a third or fifth apart.
Try playing chords, by simultaneously plucking 2 or more strings in thirds and fifths.

Useful Tip 3 - Replacement Strings for the Dreamharp

You may find that you need to replace one of your strings from time to time.

We have included a diagram of the types of strings uses for the individual notes (The strings we are referring to are guitar strings available at all major music stores)

Lyre

Lyre Tuning

For both the Thirteen and seven string lyres, the first (lowest) note is tuned to the D above middle C.

The remaining notes are:

Thirteen string: E - F - G - A - B - C1 - D1 - E1 - F1 - G1 - A1 - B1

Seven string: E - G - A - B - D1 - E1

Each lyre can be tuned using traditional methods or a 'tuning monochord'.

A 'tuning monochord' is a single stringed instrument, with frets set to match each of the lyre's notes. They are available through Nisargam.

Useful Tip 3 - Replacement Strings for the Lyre

You may find that you need to replace one of your strings from time to time.

We have included a diagram of the types of strings uses for the individual notes (The strings we are referring to, are guitar strings available at all major music stores)