Lyra

The Cretan lyra is (alongside the violin) the lead melodic instrument of the Cretan tradition. Its evolution parallels that of the music, and it is uniquely suited to producing its characteristic phrasings — energetic passages within a small melodic range, repeatedly varied until moving into a different range. The recent innovation of adding sympathetic strings, which resonate freely in consonance with the played notes, has brought a new depth and character to this instrument.