What type of instrument was the lira da braccio?
Q: What type of instrument was the lira da braccio?
A: The lira da braccio was a European string instrument that was played with a bow.
Q: When was the lira da braccio used?
A: The lira da braccio was used during the Renaissance, particularly by Italian poet-musicians in court in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Q: How did the lira da braccio compare to other instruments?
A: The lira da braccio was very similar to the medieval fiddle, and had a similar shape to a violin but with a wider fingerboard and flatter bridge. It usually had seven strings, five of them tuned like a violin with a low D added to the bottom, and two other strings for drones.
Q: Why did people play it?
A: People often played it to accompany poems they were reading at court, or as part of groups of instruments. It is likely that players often played tunes on top strings and chords on lower strings.
Q: When did its popularity decline?
A: Its popularity declined in the 16th century when madrigals and violins became popular, although it continued to be used in plays associated with Apollo until around the middle of 17th century when people stopped playing it altogether.
Q: Who is often seen playing this instrument in paintings?
A: In paintings it is often seen being played by gods Orpheus and Apollo.
