Mentoring Moment – Winter Lyre Care

From the Lyre Newsletter for Michaelmas-Advent 2004 Volume #48:

As we are still in the winter season, be aware that heated indoor air can be a major hazard for your lyre! Lyres, as well as other instruments made of wood, can crack if the wood dries out too much over time.  To prevent this possibility, add some humidity to the air your lyre lives in.  The best way is with a humidifier for your whole house, or for the room where you keep your lyre.  If that is not possible, or in addition to room humidity, add moisture to the air inside your lyre case.  You can use a Dampit, or “snake” made for violins and cellos and available at music stores.  Or, make a homemade case humidifier with a piece of sponge inside a film container punched with holes. (2024 note: Since film containers are no longer in common use, the D’Addario small instrument humidifier is another option.)

Dampit humidifier

D'Addario humidifier

Protect your lyre further by wrapping it in a piece of silk.  Include the case humidifier or Dampit in the “package”.