Dear Caroline, I gather the string in question was a thin wound string - so the friction over the nut could be considerable. When tuning any string it is important not to allow the tension between the peg and the nut to get too high, so it is best to lower the pitch slightly before pulling the string up to a higher pitch, to equalize the tension either side of the nut. When putting on a new string, you will need to do this several times. So many people, being used to near-indestructible nylon strings, forget to do this - I acquired the habit from years of using gut strings.
I hope this helps. Best wishes, Martin ----- Original Message ----- From: "Caroline Chamberlain" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Monday, November 29, 2004 12:11 AM Subject: Broken string > Dear Lute Listers > > I obtained my first lute a couple of weeks ago and have just broken a > string. There has been a lot of technical stuff about strings on the > discussion list in recent times, but to be honest, such technicalities are > beyond me. I should like some practical advice, please, because I don't > understand why I broke the string. I was trying to tune it to F, and had > got to E, so it was well below what I was aiming for. I should have > thought > that there was no reason for the break. I had successfully tuned the lute > a > couple of times in the previous week, so I know it's possible! > > As a classical guitarist, I do find the tuning pegs awkward. Indeed, I am > finding the whole lute awkward at present, but I've no doubt that > eventually I might get the hang of it and actually be able to play > something! > > In the meantime, any practical hints on tuning - without too much > science - > would be most appreciated. > > Thanks, > > Regards > > Caroline > > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >
