Strumming Through the Underworld: A Guide to “The Gift of Song” in Hades

Supergiant Games’ critically acclaimed rogue-like Hades is famous for its fast-paced combat, heart-pounding boss fights, and rich storytelling. However, some of the most memorable moments in the House of Hades happen when you put down the Infernal Arms and take a breather.

Among the game’s many hidden side activities and lore quests, “The Gift of Song” stands out as one of the most charming, amusing, and oddly persistent challenges. This Minor Prophecy shifts Zagreus’ focus away from escaping the Underworld and toward mastering a much harder target: the instrument sitting in his bedroom.

What is “The Gift of Song”?

Listed on the Fated List of Minor Prophecies, “The Gift of Song” is a quest with a simple premise: “The son of the god of the dead shall someday learn to perform music halfway decently through the teachings of a solemn master of the art.”

Instead of fighting through Tartarus or cutting down Elysian champions, Zagreus’ main obstacle here is his own lack of musical talent. When you first start interacting with the instrument, Zagreus plays it like a cat walking across a keyboard—it sounds like a dying animal.

Step-by-Step: How to Complete the Prophecy

Fulfilling this prophecy takes patience, dedication, and a lot of casual strumming. Here is how you can take Zagreus from a musical disaster to a competent bard:

1. Unlock Orpheus and the Lyre

• Free Orpheus: Before you can learn music, you need to reunite the House of Hades with its court musician. Purchase the “Reluctant Musician” work order from the House Contractor using 1 Diamond to bring Orpheus back.
• Acquire the Lyre: Check the House Contractor’s services under the Bedchambers category and purchase the Lyre (often listed as Lyre: Splendid) for 1 Diamond. It will then appear proudly in Zagreus’ room.

2. The Grind: Practice, Practice, Practice

To progress the quest, you have to interact with the lyre repeatedly.

• The Interaction Count: In total, you need to interact with the lyre 210 times.
• The Milestones: Zagreus doesn’t magically get better overnight. His improvement is tied to specific conversation checkpoints with Orpheus at roughly 10, 60, 110, and 210 total interactions.
• Audio Cues: As your interaction count climbs, pay attention to the audio. Zagreus transitions from harsh, random plinks to a recognizable, fluid musical riff.

3. Check in with Your Teacher

Orpheus acts as your mentor throughout this process. After you hit certain thresholds of playing the lyre and complete a run (returning back to the House), look for Orpheus with an exclamation point over his head. He will offer feedback on your dreadful playing, gently nudge you to keep going, and eventually praise your mastery.

4. Claim Your Reward

Once you have completed all dialogue checkpoints and reached the final tier of playing a proper, smooth melody, the prophecy will update. Head back to your desk to fulfill “The Gift of Song” and claim your reward: 2 Ambrosia.

Why Bother Learning the Lyre?

At first glance, spending time clicking a furniture item 210 times might feel like a strange grind for a rogue-like game. However, “The Gift of Song” encapsulates what makes Hades so special. It rewards player curiosity, breathes life into the downtime between escape attempts, and deepens your bond with the tragic, beautiful world of Greek mythology that Supergiant Games built.

Plus, those 2 Ambrosia rewards are vital for deepening your relationships with other gods and companions, bringing you closer to mastering the game’s many other secrets.