These are just a few of the instruments which are available to use in Soundwell sessions
Lyre
The lyre is extremely popular in Soundwell sessions. It sounds beautiful and expressive, is easy to play and is enticingly tactile. You might be interested to know these facts!
• The Lyre dates back to 1400 BC in ancient Greece.
• The lyres of Ur, excavated in ancient Mesopotamia (modern Iraq), date to 2500 BC and are considered to be the world’s oldest surviving stringed instruments.
• There are parallels of the lyre across Africa, Asia and Europe
• Lyres have been used in Europe since the Iron Age. The remains of a 2300-year-old lyre were discovered on the Isle of Skye, Scotland in 2010 making it Europe’s oldest surviving piece of a stringed musical instrument.
Humans have evidently been intuitively compelled to make and play ‘lyre type’ instruments for thousands of years, possibly as a form of expression, art form and for use in ceremonies and gatherings.
Shruti Box
A brief history The origins of the shruti box can be traced back to the Chinese sheng, an ancient wind instrument still in use today, which makes sound when air passes through small bamboo reeds. These free-reeds were later to influence a new family of Western instruments, including the harmonica, accordion and harmonium.
The shruti box is fascinating to explore and play. It has a ‘breathing’ quality, which is affecting for many people who come across it. It can be used musically to provide a grounding drone, which melodies and rhythms can be layered on top of.
