The Steel Tongue Drum is one of the few instruments where you can feel the vibration as much as you hear it. When you place it on your lap, the resonance chamber sends waves directly into your solar plexus.
Simple loops are great for warming up, but to truly enter a meditative state, you need to play complete arrangements—intro, verse, and chorus. Below are 5 fully transcribed songs designed for deep relaxation and mindfulness.
1. Notation Legend
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Numbers (1-7): The notes of the scale.
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Dot Above (1̇): High Octave.
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Dot Below (5̣): Low Octave (Bass).
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( - ): Hold the note / Sustain.
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| : Bar line (separates musical measures).
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[1 3]: Harmony (Play these two notes together).
2. Always With Me (Spirited Away) - Full Arrangement
This is the definitive anime healing song. It has a structure of A (Verse) and B (Chorus). Notice the transition from the low, quiet verse to the higher, brighter chorus.
PART A: THE VERSE (Play Softly)
1 2 3 1 | 5 . . . | 3 4 5 3 | 1 . . .
Some-where a voice, calls in the deep
6 7 1̇ 6 | 5 3 4 5 | 4 3 2 1 | 2 . 5̣ .
Al-ways with me, in my dreams I hear you
PART A: REPEAT
1 2 3 1 | 5 . . . | 3 4 5 3 | 1 . . .
Sor-rows may fade, like morn-ing mist
6 7 1̇ 6 | 5 3 4 5 | 4 3 2 7̣ | 1 . . .
But I know you are here, wait-ing for me
PART B: THE CHORUS (Play Brighter)
1̇ 7 1̇ . | 7 6 7 . | 6 5 6 . | 5 4 5 .
Call-ing out, call-ing out, my heart is beat-ing
1̇ 7 1̇ . | 7 6 7 . | 6 5 4 3 | 2 . . .
Sad-ness is hid-den, tears are de- scend-ing
3. Can't Help Falling in Love - Full Arrangement
This classic requires a "triplet" feel (ONE-two-three, ONE-two-three). It sounds magnificent if you let the final chord of each phrase ring out.
VERSE 1
1 5 1̇ | 7 6 5 | 4 5 6 | 5 4 3
Wise men say, on-ly fools, rush in... but I...
4 5 6 | 7 1̇ 2̇ | 1̇ . . .
Can't help fall - ing in love...
THE BRIDGE (The "River" Section)
3 6 7 1̇ | 3 6 7 1̇
Like a riv- er flows, sure-ly to the sea
3 6 7 1̇ | 3 6 7 1̇ | 2̇ . .
Dar- ling so it goes, some-things are meant to be
VERSE 2 (Outro)
1 5 1̇ | 7 6 5 | 4 5 6 | 7 1̇ 2̇ | 1̇ . [1 3 5]
Take my hand, take my whole life too... for I... (Full Chord)
4. My Heart Will Go On (Titanic)
The challenge here is the range. It starts low and jumps high. Play the "Intro" section freely, without a strict tempo, just like the flute solo in the movie.
VERSE (Low Octave Focus)
1 . . 1 1 1 1 | 7̣ 1 . . | 1 7̣ 1 2 3 2 .
Ev-ery night in my dreams, I see you, I feel you
1 . . 1 1 1 1 | 7̣ 1 . . | 1 2 . . .
That is how I know, you go on...
CHORUS (The High Climax)
1 2 5 . . . | 2 . . . | 4 3 2 1 | 7̣ 1 . . .
Near, far, wher - ev- er you are
1 7̣ 1 2 3 2 . | 1 7̣ 1 2 3 2 | 1 7̣ 5̣ .
I be-lieve that the heart does go on...
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5. You Are My Sunshine (Full Version)
Often people only play the chorus. Here is the Verse + Chorus structure. This is a happy, bouncy song, so hit the drum a bit harder for a brighter tone.
VERSE (Often skipped, but essential!)
1 1 2 3 3 | 3 2 3 1 1
The oth-er night dear, as I lay sleep-ing
1 2 3 4 6 | 6 5 4 3
I dreamt I held you, in my arms
1 2 3 4 6 | 6 5 4 3 1
But when I a - woke, I was mis-tak-en
1 2 3 2 1 | 2 1 . . .
So I hung my head, and cried.
CHORUS (Everyone knows this part)
1 1 2 3 . . | 3 3 2 3 1 . .
You are my sun-shine, my on- ly sun-shine...
6. The Sound of Silence
This is a haunting arrangement. Pay attention to the "Octave Jump" in the third line ("Vision softly creeping"). You jump from Low 6 to High 1.
VERSE 1
6̣ 6̣ 1 1 | 2 2 1 1 | 6̣ . . .
Hel-lo dark-ness my old friend...
1 1 2 2 | 3 3 2 2 | 1 . . .
I've come to talk with you a-gain...
2 2 3 3 6 6 | 1̇ 1̇ 7 6 6 .
Be-cause a vi-sion soft- ly creep-ing...
6 6 1̇ 1̇ 7 6 | 5 5 3 3 .
Left its seeds while I was sleep-ing...
THE CLIMAX (High Notes)
1 2 3 | 3 4 5 4 3 4 | 5 . . 1̇ | 5 . .
And the vi- sion that was plant-ed in my brain
3 1 | 6̣ . . .
Still re-mains...
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a lyre harp play sharps and flats?
Most standard lyres areDiatonic(tuned to a specific scale like C Major, like the white keys of a piano). They do not have levers to change keys instantly like a lever harp. To play sharps or flats, you would need to retune specific strings using your tuning wrench.
How often do I need to tune my lyre?
Like any string instrument, a new lyre needs to be tuned frequently (possibly daily) for the first week as the strings stretch and the wood settles. Once settled, it holds pitch well and may only need minor adjustments before playing.
How do you hold and play a lyre?
The lyre can be held in your lap or cradled in your left arm while you pluck with your right hand (or both). You can use your fingertips, fingernails, or a plectrum (pick). Modern technique often involves plucking individual strings for melodies, similar to a thumb piano or harp.
What is the best material for a lyre harp?
MahoganyandWalnutare popular choices for a warm, balanced tone.Mapleoffers a brighter, clearer sound. Ensure the body is made of solid wood (rather than plywood) for better resonance and sustain.
Can I play harp music on a lyre?
Yes, but with limitations. You can play the melody line of many harp songs on a lyre, provided the song fits within the lyre's narrower range (usually 2-3 octaves). You may need to adapt or simplify the accompaniment (bass notes) since the lyre has fewer strings than a standard harp.
Is a lyre harp expensive?
Compared to traditional harps, lyres are very affordable. A high-quality solid wood lyre typically costs between$40 to 150.Abeginnerleverharpoftenstartsat 150 .Abeginnerleverharpoftenstartsat 500 to $1,000, and pedal harps can cost tens of thousands. This makes the lyre an excellent low-risk entry point into string instruments.
