The Kinder Lyre

This delicately sculpted instrument is designed for the younger age group and provides a wonderful first instrument. The 7 Pentatonic strings encompass the range of the child’s voice and are gently stroked towards the heart. It is ideal for bedtime to lullaby your child to sleep and for new parents, the gentle sound of the Kinder Lyre provides a beautiful sonic envelope to welcome the newborn both before or after birth. The Kinder Lyre is used extensively in the Waldorf schools with the Kindergarten through 2nd grade children. Its soft, ethereal tone is especially appropriate for the younger child who still lives in that dreamlike world. For home-schooling families The Kinder Lyre is a perfect first instrument, easy to learn and play and no wrong notes!

The Kinder Lyre comes with a tuning key, songbook,* and stringing information. The songs in the songbook are all well known and familiar folksongs that provide a wonderful foundation for making music with your child. It also teaches you how to read the music if you wish to learn.

The Kinder Lye was created over 20 years ago by Raphael Weisman, founder of Harps of Lorien. He gave it the name Kinder Lyre to distinguish it from the folk harp. The term Kinder Harp was used in Waldorf circles at the time for similar pentatonic instruments, and can be confusing. (see the article choosing a Kinder Lyre) The Kinder Lyre is made in the USA of carefully chosen planks of domestic Cherry wood. During the process of cutting, drilling, shaping, sculpting and sanding the Lyres, we offer prayers and mantras to enhance the instrument’s healing and relaxing vibration.

The Kinder Lyre from Harps of Lorien has become a true Waldorf heirloom.

Tuning: D E G A B d e

Price: $185
Size: 15″ × 7″ × 2″
Accessories available:

Optional Shaped Case: $30
Extra Set of Strings: $13

Electronic tuners and pitch pipes

Songbooks: Pentatonic Songs by Elizabeth Lebret

Shepherd’s Songbook by Elizabeth Lebret

Familiar Pentatonic Songs by Tina Wells