-----Original Message----- From: Rob MacKillop [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 30 November 2005 20:23 To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' Subject: RE: [CITTERN] Cittern questions
>>>1. Is the cittern an all-key instrument, or is it one of those (like the classic banjo) that is very easy to play in one key, reasonably easy in a couple of more, but awkward in more distant keys? And if so, what keys are handy on the 4-course "Italian" tuning? Does the "French" tuning offer advantages or disadvantages, and if so, under what circumstances? I've only ever played a French cittern, John, and it is only of use for a couple of keys, although all the modes within those keys are accessible. For a beginner, the missing frets makes some chords easier to play. >>>2. I've read about the non-equal-temperament fretting of the cittern. Does this apply to the diatonic variety with the"missing" frets, or is it used on the chromatically-fretted variant, too? And how diatonic is a diatonic cittern - one key? two keys...? I don't imagine chromatic fretting was strictly equal, but, as I said, I have not played one. Curiously, non-equal temperament instruments were often played in consort with equally-fretted instruments. They obviously weren't too bothered about the tuning problems. >>>3. Must the cittern be played in a polyphonic style, or is it possible to accompany a song or an instrumental melody using chords, as on the folk guitar? The Scottish repertoire of the mid-17th century was fairly unusual in that it required a fingerstyle technique. The norm was plectrum use, with chords mixed in with single notes. Folk-guitar style works well. Listen to the Baltimore Consort on Dorian Recordings - some good folk-inpired playing there. There are some cittern MP3 files on my website: http://www.musicintime.co.uk/cittern.htm . Rob MacKillop www.musicintime.co.uk To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
