The arrangement of strings on our lyres consists of two rows of strings tuned to two whole-tone scales, a semitone apart:

The upper row (right hand side): C - D - E - F# - G# - A#.

The lower row (left hand side): C# - D# - F - G - A - B.

Sometimes chromatic lyres with such string layout are referred to as "whole-tone lyres".

The following diagrams show the difference from other chromatic lyres with string arrangement resembling the layout of a ⁠⁠traditional piano keyboard. The white keys are on the right hand side, the black keys are on the left hand side of a lyre.

One of the great advantages of the whole-tone arrangement is the fingering. The fingering patterns on a whole-tone lyre stay the same regardless of the key. For illustration, let's take a look at the major scale:

The musical pattern of a major scale ( "–" stands for a whole‐tone step, "/" for a semitone):

1 – 2 – 3 / 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 / 8

Fingering pattern on the whole‐tone lyre (R = right hand, L = left hand):

R – R – R / L – L – L – L / R

Or mirrored:

L – L – L / R – R – R – R / L

It does not matter in which key we play. The same fingering works in any key!

Traditional piano keyboard layout:

Whole-tone layout:

Strings of different colors can be used for easier orientation. A typical color coding follows the common pattern being used on harps. All C-strings are red and F-strings are blue, black or green. Some variations are possible as well, such as using copper / bronze strings for both C and F and silver plated strings for all the other tones.

‐ balanced fingering in all keys

- basic technique is fast to learn and easy to remember

‐ easy transposition ‐ fingering patterns stay the same in all keys

‐ balanced use of both hands in all keys always allowing a fluent movement

‐ possibie to reach wider range than on lyres with the traditional layout

‐ comfortable playing of arpeggios

‐ possible to play complex music on a single lyre

‐ new possibilities in music therapy

- great for improvisation