A lyre is categorized as which type of instrument?

A lyre is categorized as a stringed instrument in the harp class due to its construction and method of sound production. Typically made from materials such as wood and animal gut or synthetic strings, the lyre produces sound by the vibration of its strings when they are plucked. This places it firmly within the family of string instruments.

In contrast to other types of instruments, the lyre differs from percussion instruments, which create sound through striking or shaking, and wind instruments, which produce sound by the vibration of air columns. Furthermore, while rhythmical percussion devices are designed primarily for keeping time and rhythm, the lyre is meant for melodic expression, making its classification as a stringed instrument more appropriate and fitting. Therefore, recognizing the lyre as a instrument within the harp class highlights its purpose and method of sound generation, distinguishing it from other instrument types.