Lyre

A lyre (pronounced to rhyme with "fire") is a musical instrument which is like a mixture between a harp and a guitar. It is held in one hand and the strings are strummed using the other hand. The lyre is classified as a plucked string instrument and a member of the lute family. 

Lyres were among the first string instruments to be invented. People played them in various ancient cultures (including the Sumerian, Egyptian, and Greek) to accompany music, poetry, and dance. The lyre's origins can be traced back over 4,500 years to the ancient Middle East, with notable examples found in the Sumerian culture of Babylonia.

Lyres are typically plucked, though some are bowed, and they come in different forms, such as box lyres and bowl lyres, with varying numbers of strings and materials.  A lyre has two arms and a crossbar, with strings stretched between the crossbar and a tailpiece or soundbox. 

Lyres are crafted from various materials, including wood, animal shells, and metal. The strings are plucked to produce sound, creating a peaceful, relaxing, and beautiful tone. 

Category:Plucked string instruments
Category:Early musical instruments