lyra viol

The lyra viol was a small bass viol, also known as the viola bastarda, that gained popularity in the 16th century. It was a type of viol, a bowed stringed instrument primarily used in chamber music from the 16th to 18th centuries. Viols are characterized by their vertical playing position, sloping shoulders, and flat backs. The lyra viol, specifically, was a bass viol that developed a repertoire of complex solo variations on melodies. However, as musical styles shifted in the 17th century to emphasize a more vocal soprano sound, the tenor and treble viols declined in favor of the violin. The bass viol, including the lyra viol, eventually fell out of use as composers in the Classical style began to write complete harmonies in upper instrumental parts, removing the viol's function of providing harmonic support.1