Cretan lyra tuner
The modern three-string Cretan lyra is tuned G3–D4–A4, in fifths. A four-string model adds E5 above A4. Select the string count that matches the actual instrument before starting.
Open-string notes and frequencies
Cretan lyra: Modern three-string · G3 D4 A4. Equal-tempered frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz; the live targets follow the selected A reference.
| String / course | Sounding note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 3 | G3 | 196.00 |
| String 2 | D4 | 293.66 |
| String 1 | A4 | 440.00 |
Othonas Mpikakis — Introduction to Cretan Lyra, English guide, PDF p. 5
How to use it
- Select three strings or four strings after checking the lyra’s fitted setup.
- Set the ensemble’s A reference and tap the A4 button to hear it.
- Bow the open A string with no stopping fingernail against its side.
- Tune D4 and G3; on a four-string model, also tune the top E5.
- Listen to the neighbouring fifths, then play a short phrase and recheck the open notes.
Help and explanations
Othonas Mpikakis’s beginner guide prints the three-string notes with their octaves. Dimitris Makris’s workshop documents both three- and four-string forms. Older lyraki setups and other regional lyras need their own charts rather than this modern preset.
The lyra’s fingernail technique changes the tuning check
On the Cretan lyra, a finger can stop a note by contacting the string from the side. For an open-string reading, move that contact fully away. Holding the instrument securely should not mean keeping a nail against a string. Use a controlled bow stroke on one string, then let the sustained part provide the reading.
If the display is pulled towards a neighbouring target, use the individual string button and avoid catching another string with the bow. The central D4 target is about 293.66 Hz at A440, with G3 at 196 Hz and A4 at 440 Hz. These reference tones let you check the register before turning a peg.
Four strings and raised regional setups
The four-string option adds E5 at about 659.26 Hz; the original G3, D4 and A4 stay unchanged. It represents a purpose-built four-string lyra, not a suggestion to add tension or another string to a three-string instrument.
Some makers, including Moudrianakis, offer a raised B–E–A three-string setup, listed from high to low. Older lyraki traditions use other relationships. These alternatives require confirmation of the octaves and string suitability from the instrument’s maker and the music’s source. Use chromatic readings for a verified arrangement outside the two presets here.
The beginner guide also discusses non-tempered modal performance. This tuner’s equal-tempered references help establish the open strings, while final interval choices and melody intonation belong to the playing tradition. Listen to the fifths and to your ensemble after measuring the notes individually.
Tips
- Lift the stopping nail rather than merely reducing its pressure.
- Read the note after the initial bow attack has settled.
- Recheck all open strings after travelling or a large temperature change.
Frequently asked questions
What are modern three-string Cretan lyra notes?
G3 D4 A4, ordered from low to high.
What does a four-string lyra add?
E5 above A4. The other three targets remain G3 D4 A4.
Is a small older lyraki tuned the same?
Not necessarily. Use the tuning chart for that instrument and tradition.
Why does the open string sound higher when held?
A fingernail may still be touching and stopping it. Release the side contact for tuning.
Should every fifth read exactly green?
The displayed references are equal-tempered. Listen to the intervals and follow the teacher’s or ensemble’s tuning practice.