Stewart McCoy wrote: > Dear Arne, > > Martin is absolutely right. > > 1) In _The Schoole of Musicke_ (London, 1603) Thomas Robinson gives > instructions on how to tune the lute. He begins with the 1st course, > which, as far as he is concerned, clearly consists of two strings: > > "Now you shall learne to tune your Lute, and for a generall rule, > first set up the _Treble_ so high as you dare venter [=venture] for > breaking, setting them both in one tune or sound called an unison > .." > > That's pretty unequivocal. "Treble" is singular, because it refers > to the first course, but the rest of the quotation shows that it is > a double course. > > 2) In his "Other Necessary Observations belonging to the Lute" in > Robert Dowland's _Varietie_ (London, 1610) John Dowland refers to > "Trebles" (plural) for the 1st course: > > "... first set on your Trebles, which must be strayned neither too > stiffe nor too slacke, but of such a reasonable height that they may > deliver a pleasant sound ..." > > Again, it is quite clear that Dowland has in mind a lute with a > double first course. > > 3) On page 41 of _Musick's Monument_ (London, 1676) Thomas Mace > writes: > > "And here you must take notice, that when we say a Lute of 12 > Strings, there are but 6; and likewise a Lute of 24 Strings, there > are but 12, (as to substantial Use)."
Virdung already mentions lutes with 13 or 14 Strings, i.e. 7 courses. Rainer adS
