Hi Ed, I have the book, both the Italian and English versions. They are very good and I recommend them. It seems to me I ordered them from Italy. Sometime when I don't have to play a concert if you are interested in it I can look up the source. Ohterwise maybe some other list members can tell you sooner where to order a copy.
The bottom line (no pun intended) on how to sit, is that you need to be comfortable initially, you need to make sure the lute does not wiggle around and your posture should promote good health. That is, it should not cause you to develop a pain anywhere (unless you overdo it.) Lately I have not been using either a non-skid pad or a strap for renaissance lute and the instrument seems quite stable without them. For the mandolino, I need the non-skid surface. It is nice to hear from you and I wish you the best of success. Cheers, Marion Mezzosoprano Mano di magia sul Mandolino milanese Meraviglioso in maggio -----Original Message----- From: Ed Durbrow <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: May 21, 2005 10:45 PM To: Jon Murphy <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>, lute list <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Nonskid lute pad I haven't seen Damiano's book so can't comment on that. I think there is no 'right' way to sit. To be historically informed as a group we should be playing and holding our lutes in many different ways as was done in the Renaissance. However, I don't see many lutenists sitting guitar style with a footstool these days. As for crossing the left leg over the right, Barto does it. 'Nough said. It has been suggested that the clothes in earlier times were more 'sticky' but I don't know. Sure, if they were wearing buckskin. :-) I've also tried the tight-string-with-a-loop-in-the-middle hooked to a button. I found it the absolute most unstable possible solution ever. Yet, they used it or there wouldn't be paintings of it. To each his own. Viva la difference. And happy music making. >Ed, > >As a beginner, and a long time guitarist, I first fixed a strap to my lute >(and, like you, fixed it to both ends of the bowl). I took my only lesson, >from a nearby lutenist, and noticed that he had his strap "hooked" around a >peg on the pegboard. I found that to be better support. But in both cases >there was a feel that the strap controlled the position of the lute. Finally >I reread the opening passages of my copy of Damiano's "Method for the >Renaissance Lute" and noted that he put the strap under his leg/butt (which >obviously won't work standing up). I am no great source for virtuoso lute >performance, but I do find the freedom of the neck when the lute is anchored >to one's lap to be helpful for me. I confess not to taking the recommended >sitting stance on a proper chair with a left foot stool and legs not >crossed - I like my arm chair in front of the TV. I sit up and cross my >left leg over my right, contrary to Damiano's instructions - put the chamois >in my lap and pull the strap from the base under my right cheek and leg, and >over my left leg. It fixes the instrument at the body and supports the neck >without argument with the strap about position. > >Best, Jon > >----- Original Message ----- >From: "Ed Durbrow" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >To: "lute list" <[email protected]> >Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2005 1:54 AM >Subject: Re: Nonskid lute pad > > >> I don't use any non skid surface. I always perform standing with a >> strap. When I practice I sit and use the strap. My strap connects on >> both ends of the bowl, not to the neck, rather like a guitar strap. >> The few times I play without a strap, I often just brace the lute >> against the edge of my desk just like so many paintings show. Anyone >> else do this? I often pull the mouse pad over the edge of the desk so >> I don't scratch the instrument. >> -- >> Ed Durbrow >> Saitama, Japan >> http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/ >> >> >> >> To get on or off this list see list information at >> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >> >> >> -- Ed Durbrow Saitama, Japan http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/
