When played, it is held between the legs in the manner of a cello or viol (viola da gamba).

The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians describes the lirone as essentially a larger version of the lira da braccio, which has a similar wide fingerboard, flat bridge, and leaf-shaped pegbox with frontal pegs.

The lirone was primarily used in Italy[2] during the late 16th and early 17th centuries (and particularly in the time of Claudio Monteverdi) to provide continuo, or harmony for the accompaniment of vocal music.

[3] Despite the resurgence in Baroque instrument performance during the 20th century, only a handful of musicians play the lirone.

Notable performers on the instrument include Erin Headley of England; Imke David, Claas Harders and Hille Perl of Germany; Annalisa Pappano of the United States; Laura Vaughan of Australia, and Paulina van Laarhoven of the Netherlands.