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Learning the Ancient Greek Lyre – Beginners (Book 1)
21.00 €
“Musical training is a more potent instrument than any other because rhythm and harmony find their way into the inward places of the soul.” — Plato
This is Book I of the series, focusing on the beginner lyre player. It is a great starting point for everyone willing to unwrap the true potential of this amazing ancient-inspired musical instrument.
In Classical Greece, music was a key element in shaping a virtuous individual and a just society. All the great philosophers agreed on the importance of making music education available to a broad audience, and the lyre was the means to do that. Plato even suggested a three-year compulsory lyre study for all the citizens of his Ideal City-State.
In this three-volume series, “Learning the Ancient Lyre,” you will find everything you need to start with as a total beginner and learn all the skills required to become an advanced lyre player. Our educational approach is based on several ancient text sources, including Aristoxenus’ Elements of Harmony, depictions on ancient Greek pottery, and Roman frescos, along with the limited (but significant) archaeological findings of lyres from antiquity to medieval times. Additionally, all the exercises, studies, and suggested playing techniques are based on the valuable teaching experience with hundreds of LyreAcademy students worldwide, along with the combined multi-year playing experience of several virtuosos such as Lina Palera, Theodore Koumartzis, and Thanasis Kleopas.
_Author’s short bios
Nikolaos Koumartzis, Ph.D., is the visionary behind many cultural endeavors with international recognition, including LUTHIEROS Music Instruments and SEIKILO Ancient World Music Channel. He holds a Ph.D. in Journalism from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, an MSc in Publishing from the University of the Arts London, and a Ma in Strategic Product Design from the International Hellenic University. In 2020 he founded the Lyre Academy, where he has served as its Director since. He is the editor of this book series.
Lina Palera is a virtuoso lyre player with international recognition and a beloved lyre tutor for adults and children. She performed in numerous concert halls, museums, and conferences, such as the Greek Museum of Byzantine Culture and the Museum of Cyprus. In this book series, she designed all the exercises and studies based on her valuable experience with hundreds of Lyre Academy students.
Pages: 170 | Dimensions: 16 x 23 cm
(sheet music for a 7strings lyre/kithara, or for lyres/kithara with more than 7 strings)
The seven-string lyre was the «national» instrument of the ancient Greeks for more than a millennium. (8th BC – 4th century AD). The “method of learning ancient Greek seven-string lyre” was based: on the use of a faithfully reconstructed instrument, on the study of all kinds of archaeological and literary sources, but mainly on the experience of the professional musician, on the basis of which we rediscovered the sound and the technical and interpretative possibilities of the lyre.
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There is no benefit when music stands secret and hidden.
— Lucian, 2nd c. CE
SEIKILO Museum offers a fine selection of premium products closely related to our ancient world's musical heritage. Whether a replica of a lyre or another ancient musical instrument, sheet music of ancient surviving melodies, books about the history & myths of music in ancient Greece, or pristine quality recordings of ancient-inspired melodies, you can take with you a unique piece of history that you will cherish for a lifetime and even pass on to the next generation of your family.
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Discover the magic of ancient music with the handcrafted instrument recreations of the unique SEIKILO collection, such as a lyre, a kithara, a phorminx, or a pandura!
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All the myths and stories you heard during your visit to the SEIKILO Museum are but a mere fragment of what was written. Explore the legacy of the lyre through SEIKILO museum-quality books!
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Replicate the amazing experience of a SEIKILO museum visit by listening to studio-quality recordings of surviving ancient melodies and contemporary compositions on ancient musical instruments.
Ancient Games, Modern Play
Αncient Greeks designed a series of highly educational games through which the youngsters sharpened their minds and developed critical thinking. Experience the timelessness of play with our series of ancient board games for the whole family, handcrafted with premium materials.