Where to start - Tuning

Where to start - Tuning 

The Harpika Kalyre is a chromatic instrument.

The different between a diatonic and chromatic instrument are:

A diatonic string instrument has a limited number of notes, usually in one key, such as the diatonic harp or harmonica. This means that the instrument can only play the notes of the chosen key, with no additional notes that fall outside of it. Diatonic scale notes are similar to the piano's white keys.

A chromatic string instrument, on the other hand, has a wider range of notes, with both the natural notes (such as C, D, E, etc.) and the semitones (such as C#, F#, etc.). Examples of these are the chromatic accordion or lever harp. These instruments can play in any key, thus offering more flexibility and variety in the music.

Stringed instruments, whether they are a guitar, ukulele, violin or a lyre harp, will need constant tuning over the first few days/weeks. If you get into the habit of tuning, most times you play, your ear will soon let you know if the Harpika Kalyre is out of tune.

I will describe how to tune your Harpika Kalyre, and also want to point out my unboxing video linked below.

Tuning:

Get the right tools:
A tuning key (or wrench) is usually provided with the Harpika Kalyre. If not, go to the hardware store with your Harpika Kalyre and buy the right wrench tool. But you need also an Electronic tuner or tuning app. For examples: GuitarTuna, piano tuner, or chromatic tuner. I use the last one, a Korg chromatc tuner
CA-30 and sometimes i use the tuning app insTuner, but apps do not have my preference.

Choose your tuning scale (or key).
Most Harpika's are tuned in C Major scale, but you can experiment with different scales. Here are the common ones:

C Major
C - D - E - F - G - A - B - C (D - E - F...)

G Major
G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G - (A - B - C...)

Pentatonic Major
D - E - G - A - B - D - E - G

The note C (or C1) of the Harpika Kalyre is equal to the middle C (or C4) from the piano. I don't know much about piano's, but I think, if I remember correctly, a piano has 7 octaves plus a few notes. Your Harpika Kalyre has (depending on the number of stings the instrument has) 2 octaves and a few notes  of the next octave. Those 2 octaves are similar to octave 4 and 5 from the piano.

Start Tuning
By identify the string - Start at the middle string which is C (or C1) 
Turn the tuning pegs with the tuning key (or wrench):

Clockwise to tighten (raise the pitch)
Counterclockwise to loosen (lower the pitch)

Check the pitch by using the tuner to match the note. After all string are tuned, fine-tune them by go through them again to make sure they stay in pitch. Like I said before stringed instruments, will need constant tuning the first few days/weeks.

Now we have tuned our Harpika Kalyre!

Have fun playing it! 💕