Vance wrote: > > 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?
Oil of tartar is a supersaturated solution of potassium carbonate dissolved in water. It had all sorts of alchemical purposes during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Here's an interesting web page describing how it's made. http://www.stanford.edu/group/shl/Eyes/kircher/pharmacy.html Regards, Craig 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. > > > > > ____________________________________________________________ > Free 20MB Web Site Hosting and Personalized E-mail Service! > Get It Now At Doteasy.com http://www.doteasy.com/et/ >
