I was reading through Varietie of Lute Lessons the other day, as I occasionally do, to see if I could pick up something I may have missed previously. I noticed a mention that some players during the period soaked their hands in a concoction call "Oil of Tartar". Does anyone know what this is, what is it supposed to do, and is it effective? The author of this section, I believe Besard, claimed no first hand experience with it but it was mentioned.
Another point for your comments, observations and criticism,-- if any. I have noticed that when I wash my hands in very hot water to the point where I can feel the grain of my finger prints I get a far better sound on the Lute with the right hand . I am assuming that the lack of oils on my fingers allows the finger prints to gain some sort of purchase on the strings instead of sliding across them. Has anyone else found this to be true and if so how do you maintain this condition through a session lasting more than fifteen minutes? Or as I suspect what am I doing wrong ? Vance Wood.
