What does a lyre musical instrument look like? National currency of Italy
Lyre - this ancient string instrument came to us from Ancient Greece. It consists of a frame with stretched strings of various settings. Playing the lyre was part of the education of any ancient citizen. The very first examples of lyres were found in Ur.
There are several varieties: helis, forming, barbite, cithara. But the principle of playing is the same for everyone, it is similar to playing the guitar. The lyre was picked up at an angle of 45 degrees and the strings were plucked with a plectrum. The other hand muffled unnecessary chords. The seven-string lyre is classical and symbolically conveys the harmony of the world. Each of its strings is a modal function of the ancient fret. But there can be more strings: 11, 12 or even 18. And although Greek authors such as Virgil or Boethius often wrote about the lyre in their books, instructions on its precise tuning have not yet been found.
Lyra, of course, is mentioned in myths. According to legend, it was created by Hermes, the god of trade, from a tortoise shell, seven strings and two reed tubes. For this instrument, he received from Apollo his famous winged staff, with two snakes in the form of ribbons, power over animals, the gift of a seer and fifty cows.
This ancient Greek god is often represented wearing a laurel wreath and holding a golden lyre. When he started playing it, even wild animals came out of the forest to listen to these beautiful sounds. Once upon a time, Marsyas, who played the flute, challenged Apollo to a duel. But the shepherd was far from reaching the golden-haired god, and he lost the competition. For the insolence of a mortal, Apollo hung him on a tree and tore off his skin.
Belarus and Ukraine had their own version of the lyre, called the “ryle” or Hardi-gardi. It was a small box with three strings of different tunings stretched inside. On the side there were from 8 to 11 keys for changing the height of the middle string and a handle. Together with the handle, a special wheel rotated, extracting sounds from the strings.
Externally similar to a violin case. This instrument is also known as an organistrum or hardy-hardy. When playing, the lyre must be held on the lap, and most of the strings are played simultaneously while playing. Popular since the 10th century, the musical instrument is not used so often today. But thanks to its amazing sound and original design, the lyre is still remembered today.
Sound features
The sound of the hurdy-gurdy is ensured by the work of most of the strings, when vibration occurs as a result of their friction against the wheel. It is noteworthy that most strings are responsible only for a monotonous hum, and the reproduction of the melody is ensured by the playing of one or two. The hurdy-gurdy sounds powerful, sad, monotonous, somewhat nasal. And to soften the sound, strings have long been wrapped with flax or wool fibers. Accurate alignment of the wheel also plays an important role - it must be smooth and rosin-coated.
Device
The three-string lyre has a deep wooden body in the shape of a figure eight, two flat soundboards that have bent sides. The upper part of the instrument is equipped with a head with wooden pegs, which allows you to tune the strings. The hurdy-gurdy has a short peg box that often ends in a curl. Since the wheel rim protrudes somewhat outward, it is hidden under a special bast fuse in the shape of an arc.
The top deck has holes, and there is a key-saddle mechanism with keys on it. They, in turn, are simple wooden planks with protrusions. When a musician presses the keys, the protrusions come into contact with the strings, producing sounds. The protrusions are attached in such a way that they can be shifted in different directions, thereby leveling the sound range. The body of the instrument is designed in such a way as to enhance the string sound. The sound is enhanced by vibrations of the strings, which are caused by the movement of the wheel.
String Features
A hurdy-gurdy is an instrument with three gut strings:
- melodic, which is called spivanitsa, or melody;
- two bourdons, which are called bass and pidbasok.
If the melodic string, by design, passes through the inside of the box, then the bourdon strings pass on top of it. All strings are positioned so that they are in contact with the wheel rim. Before work, it is rubbed with resin, which makes the strings sound smooth and audible. The smoothness of the sound is ensured by the smooth surface of the wheel and its precise alignment. A melody is created or performed by pressing keys located in the side cutouts of the box.
Historically, strings were made from guts, although metal or nylon strings are increasingly popular today. To obtain the desired timbre and sound quality, musicians wrapped the strings with cotton wool or other fiber, and there should have been more coating on the bourdon strings. And if there is not enough cotton wool, the sound will be either too dull or too harsh, especially in the upper range.
How to play?
The hurdy-gurdy is a tool that is not particularly easy to use. Lyra is placed on her knees, and a belt is thrown over her shoulders. The tuning box should be located on the left side and slightly tilted, while the free keys should fall away from the string. With his right hand, the musician evenly and slowly rotates the wheel by the handle, pressing the keys with his left hand. In its sound, the lyre resembles a bagpipe or a whistle, since all three instruments sound bourdons. As for the sound quality, it depends primarily on the friction wheel, which is accurately centered and well lubricated. If the musician plays standing, the lyre is suspended from a strap on the shoulder with a slight tilt to distribute the weight of the instrument.
How did the lyre appear?
The wheeled lyre is a musical instrument that has been known since the 10th century. Most often it was used in monasteries to perform church music. By the 15th century, the instrument became less popular, but continued to be used by vagabonds, the blind, the crippled, who walked the streets and sang songs and fairy tales to the simple sound of the lyre.
In Rus', this musical instrument was known around the 17th century, and experts answer that it appeared in our country from Ukraine. It was here that there were even entire schools of lyre players who wandered from village to village, performed music and earned money. The lyre was also used at weddings, as it sounded loud, and the most cheerful repertoire could be chosen for it. The peculiarity of the hurdy-gurdy is that it was produced in different lengths. In some variations, even two people had to play music on it, since the instrument was up to one and a half meters long.
Brotherhood of Lyre Players
In Ukraine, entire classes of 30 people were taught to play the hurdy-gurdy. The elders got into practice, which involved visiting neighboring villages during bazaars and weddings, when the money they earned was given to the mentor as tuition fees. After graduation, the musicians took exams.
During the Soviet years, the hurdy-gurdy underwent several changes. The photo shows that even in appearance the instrument changed somewhat. Thanks to the improvement of the design, it became more original; there were 9 strings, and they were tuned by minor thirds. Instead of a wooden wheel, a plastic transmission belt was used, which made the sound more even. A special device was used to change the degree of pressure on the string, therefore the sound strength of the instrument was different. Note that improved samples of the lyre are still used in folk orchestras.
What today?
In Russia today the hurdy-gurdy is rarely used. The musical instrument (the photo shows all its colorfulness) remained part of the State Orchestra and the People's Choir of Belarus. It is noteworthy that hardy-hardy was also used among rockers: the groups Led Zeppelin and In Extremo chose the instrument due to its unusual sound. Today the instrument has been practically forgotten, but some orchestras, due to the unusual sound, retain the hardy-hardy as a highlight of their work.
Types of hurdy-gurdy wheels
In European countries there are many types of hurdy-gurdy wheels, including Russian varieties of the instrument. The hurdy-gurdy in Russia was never used in professional music and existed only in the environment of everyday and amateur music-making. Three varieties of this instrument are common in Russia. Type No. 1: Great Russian hurdy-gurdy. It is distinguished by a relatively small body type in the form of a viola, a narrow scale and a unique repertoire. Species No. 2: Don snout. This instrument is common in the territory of the Don Army. It is an old type of instrument with a body in the form of an organistrum. Type No. 3: Ukrainian-style hurdy-gurdy. It is distinguished by its unique design details, playing techniques and repertoire.
Setting up the hurdy-gurdy
There is no single established hurdy-gurdy setup. The variety of designs of this instrument, as well as different musical traditions, often require different tuning methods. The hurdy-gurdy is tuned using a tuning block and a key mechanism. By rotating the pegs, the required height of the strings is achieved, and by carefully bending the flags on the keys, the scale of the playing string is precisely adjusted.
Setting option:
To achieve a beautiful melodic sound, wrap the part of the string where it connects with the playing wheel with a small amount of ordinary cotton wool or soft wool. To increase friction on the strings, generously rub the surface of the playing wheel with simple violin rosin. After all the preparatory procedures, start rotating the wheel and continue rotating continuously for 3-5 minutes, adjusting the cotton wool on the strings if necessary. After that, take a breath. That's it, you can play.
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Features of caring for a hurdy-gurdy
A hurdy-gurdy is a unique instrument that requires active attention. The most delicate moment is pairing the strings with the game wheel. Always have a piece of cotton wool or wool with you and learn how to wrap it correctly. Protect the hurdy-gurdy from rain and dampness. During operation, contamination occurs on the surface of the lyre. If your instrument begins to lose its presentable appearance, we recommend using special products in the form of polishes and cleaning products for the care of musical instruments. Be sure to use a case to store the hurdy-gurdy.
Strings for hurdy-gurdy
The choice of strings for a hurdy-gurdy is largely individual. Balalaiker recommends using a set of playing nylon strings and bourdon strings in a metal braid. This option allows the lyre to sound bright, rich and balanced.
History of the hurdy-gurdy
brief historical background
The hurdy-gurdy is an ancient musical instrument of European origin. The first mentions of it are found in historical sources of the 9th-10th centuries. At first, the hurdy-gurdy was used primarily to accompany church services, but already in the Middle Ages it spread to many European countries as an instrument for a wide range of repertoires.
On the territory of the Moscow kingdom, the hurdy-gurdy appeared at the turn of the 16th-17th centuries. The instrument penetrated into Russian lands through Ukrainian and Belarusian territories along with settlers, merchants, interventionists and other active populations. The hurdy-gurdy was firmly established and was preserved until recently in the traditions of some regions of Russia - Bryansk, Oryol, Kursk, Rostov and some others. It is interesting that back in the 1920s, wandering lyre players could even be found on the streets and bazaars of Moscow. The famous folk music expert Mitrofan Pyatnitsky also had his own hurdy-gurdy.
The Russian hurdy-gurdy, unlike its European relative, was mostly a folk instrument, little known to noble and professional musical circles. The Russian lyre was distinguished by its ease of manufacture, relatively small scale, small number of strings (2-4 pieces) and an original repertoire. The lyre found its widest use among tramps and professional beggars, for whom it was a professional tool for earning money. They could be found in crowded places singing spiritual poems and psalms. However, in some regions, playing the lyre also acted as an accompaniment to drawn-out songs. For example, in the traditions of the Don Cossacks, the lyre (local name - rylya) was used to accompany songs and was preserved until the first third of the 20th century. The hurdy-gurdy was played to dances, to dances, to ditties, and even to romances. One of the last Russian lyre players, Klimenty Feoktistovich Shmatov, lived until the 50s of the 20th century in the Starodubsky district of the Bryansk region and played in rural bazaars until his last days. The hurdy-gurdy purchased from him in 1953 is today kept in the Moscow Conservatory.
These days, the hurdy-gurdy is once again attracting public attention. She is increasingly appearing on the horizon, participating in programs of folk musicians, experimentalists and performers of sacred music.
The countries that make up the European Union currently have one common currency called the euro. However, before the appearance of this currency, each state used its own national currency. In each country it had a name and characteristics.
Many may ask questions about what kind of money was in circulation in a particular country before the common European currency. For example, people who are partial to Rome may be interested in the question of what the currency of Italy was before the introduction of the euro. Let's dive into history.
Historical currency of Italy
Before the advent of the official European currency, Italy had for a long time used completely different money, called lira. The first mention of this currency appeared at the end of the 8th century. However, then this concept was used simply as a designation of counting units; coins with this name were not minted.
Italian lira: history of appearance
The Italian currency, the lira, is considered the oldest monetary unit in Europe. It owes its appearance to the reform of Emperor Charlemagne, which he carried out in 780-790. Its result was the replacement of Roman gold solidi with silver denarii and the introduction of silver monometallism throughout the Carolingian Empire. The only minted coin was the Carolingian denarius, containing pure silver weighing about 1.67 g. The solidus now equaled 12 denarii, and one lire was equal to 20 solidi.
Why exactly the lyre? Because this word itself arose from the Latin libra - a pound, which is equal to approximately 410 g. It is easy to calculate that there is approximately the same amount of silver in 240 denarii (how much there was in 1 lira).
And although the lira did not become physical money as a result of these transformations, in everyday life this name was almost always used. For example, the amount of 2429 denarii in everyday life would be pronounced as follows: 10 lire, 2 solidi and 5 denarii.
The emergence of the lira as a real currency
For 100 years after the reform of Charlemagne, the coin that he introduced into circulation did not change in any way. However, then the silver denarius begins to lose weight, and therefore the lira also depreciates. Later, in many territories of the Carolingian Empire, their own new coins of different weights begin to appear, and the lira of each region turns out to have its own value, different from the original value.
When the 18th century arrived, a very wide variety of coins were in circulation in the cities of the country, and it was difficult to give a definite answer to the question of what currency is in Italy. For example, in Milan they used 29 types of silver coins and 22 types of gold coins. Thanks to the process of unification of money that began spontaneously during this period, the lira finally appeared on the scene.
This currency existed in many places as a symbolic unit and united different monetary systems. And now it has the opportunity to become a real unified currency, the creation of which in many Italian states was aimed at the reforms of the 18th century.
Finally, the currency of Italy called the lira came into use after the unification of the kingdom by the Savoy dynasty. The minting of a single Italian lira, which contained 4.5 g of pure silver, began in 1861.
Lyra and Centesimo
The new single currency of Italy owes its introduction into circulation to a law signed in August 1862, on the 24th. Mints minted coins with 5, 1, 2 liras from silver, and 20 and 10 liras from gold.
A small change coin called centesimo was also created, which was 1/100th of the lira. These coins in denominations of 2, 5 and 1 units were made of copper, 50 units - of silver. A little later, centesimo of 10 units (made of copper) and 20 units (first of silver, then of copper-nickel alloy), as well as 5 lire of gold, appeared.
Different coinages of the Italian lira
Over its long years of existence, the former currency of Italy depreciated several times, and this mainly happened during wars.
After the end of World War I, the value of Italian currency fell. The coins of 2 and 1 lire, as well as 50 centesimo, were minted from nickel. In the years after World War II, small liras began to be made from stainless steel, and larger ones (20, 5 and 10) from silver. During this period, the production of centesimo coins ceased altogether, as severe inflation occurred. It was also decided that banknotes should be issued with a denomination of at least 1,000 liras.
In 1951, all coins were replaced with new ones, the size of which became smaller. Denominations of 2, 10, 5, and 1 lira are made of aluminum. A little later, coins of 100 and 50 lire, made of stainless steel, 20 lire of an alloy of aluminum and bronze, and 500 lire of silver were introduced. In the early 80s. In the 20th century, the first bimetallic coins of 500 lire appeared in Italy.
New lira
In March 1979, the country joined the European Monetary System. After this, in 1986, the Italian currency was subject to redenomination, and one new lira was exchanged for 1000 old ones.
The coins remained in use, but the smallest denomination of them began to be 5 liras, and the largest - 1000 liras. However, they were almost never used in trade, and were popular only among numismatists and collectors. At the same time, banknotes in circulation had large denominations: from 1,000 to 500,000 lire.
Exterior of old Italian currency
The currency of Italy before the introduction of the euro was considered very beautiful. It was paper money that featured various great people of the country.
For example, the 1000 lire banknote featured the Italian philosopher, teacher and scientist Maria Montessori, and the 5000 lire bill featured the Italian composer Vincenzo Bellini. Banknotes with the largest denominations are decorated with portraits of famous art masters. Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini can be seen on the 50,000 lira bill, Michelangelo on the 100,000 lira bill, and on the 500,000 lira bill there is an image of Raphael Santi.
Modern currency of Italy
At the beginning of 2002, the Italian currency began to change radically. This happened because a completely new monetary unit, the euro, came into circulation.
Italian euros are not much different from the same currencies of other European countries. But still, they have their own characteristics. Firstly, the banknotes have their own unique series, by which you can immediately determine that they were issued in Italy. Secondly, the reverse of the iron euros directly indicates the country to which they belong, using symbolic images. For example, the Italian 1 euro coin has the “Harmonious Man” on the back, a drawing by the famous Leonardo da Vinci.
Until March 2003, when asked what currency is in Italy, one could talk about both the lira and the euro, because they were used in parallel throughout the country. Then the lira was completely withdrawn from circulation, and for another 10 years they could only be exchanged for euros.
Therefore, now any person going to the Apennine Peninsula does not need to think about what currency to take to Italy. If a tourist has euros in his wallet, he will not have any problems paying for goods and services in this country.
Lyre (Greek λuρα, Latin lyra) is a plucked string instrument (chordophone). The body (resonator) of a round or quadrangular shape is connected to the crossbar (transverse rod) by two handles. Strings of equal length are stretched between the body and the crossbar. Distributed from ancient times to the present day. The oldest samples were excavated by L. Woolley's expedition in Ur.
Lyre in Ancient Greece
In Ancient Greece, the word lyre denoted any instrument of the lyre family - helis (lit. turtle), barbite, forminga, cithara. In the narrow sense, the lyre was called helis (the simplest of the lyres, with a body made of a tortoise shell, covered with cowhide). The technique of playing all ancient lyres is approximately the same: the musician held the instrument at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the body, playing standing (especially the lyre) or sitting. The sound was produced by a bone plectrum. The fingers of his free hand muffled the unnecessary strings. There was no gender difference among lyre players, with the exception of the lyre, which was a male instrument. Learning to play the lyre was a basic part of a citizen's education in ancient Greece and Rome.
The strings (made from sheep intestines) of the lyre gave their name to the steps of the Greek full scale; in essence, the string names represent the modal functions of the ancient mode. The 7-string lyre is considered classic; in its seven-string, it was considered as a reflection of world harmony (according to the famous saying of Virgil - septem discrimina vocum, “seven<высотных>sound differences"). Iconographic, musical theoretical and literary sources indicate that the number of lyre strings could be increased to 18, but most often experimental instruments are described as 11 or 12 strings. “Multiple strings” led to a soul-disturbing “polyphony” and therefore was assessed (for example, in the Spartan decree of the 5th century BC, published in the book “Fundamentals of Music” by Boethius) as a harmful excess. Despite the fact that many treatises describe the Greek scale as the strings of a lyre, accurate and unambiguous information about its tuning has not been preserved.
Other liras
In Ancient Armenia, the lyre was called arm. (knar).
In Ukraine and Belarus, a hurdy-gurdy is an ancient (17th century) stringed folk instrument with a large elongated body, otherwise called a “ryle”. In Europe this instrument is known as the Hardi-Gurdi. Three strings of different tunings are stretched above the body, placed in a special box. A small keyboard with 8-11 keys is attached to the side of the drawer. The player presses the keys with his left hand, and with his right hand he turns the handle, which sets in motion a special wheel covered with hair, leather and rubbed with rosin. The wheel rubs against the strings and makes them sound. The middle string changes its height depending on the pressing of the keys and is used to play melodies. The outer strings do not change their height during playing. The sound of the lyre is strong, sharp, and somewhat nasal in tone.
