ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Cretan lyra

Hey kiddo! Have you heard of the Cretan lyra? It's a really cool musical instrument from an island in Greece called Crete.

It's kind of like a small guitar, but it has three strings instead of six. The strings are made of metal or gut, and they are plucked with a pick called a plectrum.

The lyra has a wooden body, which is usually made from mulberry, walnut, or cypress wood. The body has a hollow space inside, which helps to amplify the sound of the strings.

When someone plays the lyra, they hold it in their lap and use their left hand to control the notes. They press down on the strings at different points to change the pitch and make different sounds.

The lyra is often used in traditional music on Crete, which has a very unique and distinct sound. People have been playing the instrument for hundreds of years, and it's become a big part of the island's culture.

Overall, the Cretan lyra is a cool little guitar-like instrument with a unique sound and a long history in Greek culture.