After more than 12 years of research and development, Gaudry Normand invented the crystal lyre in 2011 now it is called the Quartzophone. All instruments are carefully and precisely crafted by hand and with love, in his workshop at Mine Cristal, Bonsecours, Quebec, Canada.

Made with pure quartz crystal tubes (99.9% SiO2) the Crystal Lyre contains all the notes of a C-major scale and are precisely tuned to either 432 Hz or 442 Hz. Quartz crystal is a natural, noble material that possesses an immense vibratory capacity. This musical instrument generates a pure, crystalline sound with powerful, resonant, omnidirectional tones and a special timbre; this distinguishes them from all other musical instruments.

The extraordinary sound of the Crystal Lyre is the result of the patented system. This is composed of several unique mechanisms, including tension-adjusting keys or screws, two continuous strings in an angular, zigzag pattern and slender metal pins specifically designed to support the strings and the tubes. This system allows the tubes to oscillate freely even while they remain exactly centred between the pins, creating celestial, long-lasting, pure tones with rich vibrato!

The full-size, 8-tube model can be played upright on its stand or laid horizontally on a table; in this case you can use both strikers if you wish. You can also play it by holding it in one hand or by holding it snug against chest, hip or shoulder: this allows you to move freely with the instrument. Play a few notes using the striker, then move the instrument around with your arm or with your whole body: this creates an amazing Doppler-style effect!

The strikers are made using a special material molded into a rounded shape; these unique strikers create pure, crystalline, nourishing, sweet sounds. Tap gently on the tubes or glide the striker over several tubes to generate a sustained synergy of sound, a crystal symphony.

The Crystal Lyre come with a bespoke carry case, two strikers and a string repair kit