----- Original Message ----- From: "jandaparker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, May 16, 2007 3:53 PM Subject: Fw: [LUTE] Re: cleaning a soundboard + Strap
> > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "jandaparker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: "Anthony Hind" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 10:50 PM > Subject: Re: [LUTE] Re: cleaning a soundboard + Strap > > >> Hello, >> >> My name is Jim Parker. I have been reading messages on the list for a >> month or so, but have not posted (I think they call that "lurking", >> although that sounds a little creepy to me so I'll just say "quietly >> observing from the sidelines"). I have enjoyed reading the posts and >> have learned much from following the different threads. >> >> I would like to ask more about straps, if you all don't mind helping >> another beginner. I began playing in January and cannot seem to get >> comfortable holding my lute. The best position for me has been crossing >> my left leg over the right, but this isn't comfortable for long periods >> of time, so I would like to try a strap. >> >> My questions are: 1) what length should a strap be for an 8 course (62 >> cm) lute? 2) where can I get a strap that will fit (will the local guitar >> shop have one)? 3) Will a guitar strap be the correct length? and 4) what >> is the best way to attach the strap? I have two strap buttons on my >> lute; one on each end of the body, but it seems that a lot of players tie >> their straps to the pegbox. Is one way better than the other? >> >> Thanks up front for any advice you send my way. >> >> Jim >> >> >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Anthony Hind" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: "Caroline Usher" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>; "Lute Net" <[email protected]> >> Sent: Monday, May 14, 2007 12:06 PM >> Subject: [LUTE] Re: cleaning a soundboard + Strap >> >> >>> Thank you Caroline >>> I have indeed adopted a leather belt in natural leather so I don't >>> seem to be out of order here, but my way of tying it (as I explain to >>> Sean) has received some comment . >>> If I understand you correctly, there are paintings showing lute >>> straps, I will look more closely. >>> >>> There is a strap maker here in Paris who makes wide straps from >>> padded woven natural silk, on which he makes subtle gold markings. >>> They look very beautiful, but I have not tried them myself. I had not >>> thought of the possibility of varying the colours according to mood >>> and dress. I seem to remember that there was a French watch maker who >>> sold his watches with a variety of straps, for that reason. Perhaps, >>> lute makers could similarly cater for the fashion conscious lutist . >>> No, as you say, it is indeed the music on which we should focus, but >>> I did find the person wearing this new woven-silk lute-strap >>> extremely elegant. >>> Regards >>> Anthony >>> >>> Le 14 mai 07 à 17:55, Caroline Usher a écrit : >>> >>>> Anthony Hind wrote: >>>>> On two slightly different topics. >>>>> I have seen lutists using a wooden tool to turn pegs. I wouldn't >>>>> mind buying one of these myself; however, is there not a risk of >>>>> breaking a peg or even the peg-box? >>>>> >>>> Not if you know when to cease and desist. It should be pretty >>>> obvious when a peg is really jammed and needs to be tapped out, or >>>> allowed to dry out in lower humidity. If your pegs are in good >>>> working condition there should be no danger. >>>> >>>> The peg-turner helps you to turn the peg more smoothly. >>>>> I have not noticed any paintings of lute players showing them with >>>>> a lute strap, and yet most players use a strap today. Might these >>>>> be absent from paintings, but nevertheless have been used when >>>>> the lutist actually played? Are there any signs on the old lutes >>>>> themselves that straps were indeed used? >>>>> >>>> Search the archives of this list. >>>>> There seem to be many ways of wearing these straps. >>>> Yes. Remember that the clothing worn in the heyday of the lute was >>>> very different from ours. That makes a big difference. >>>>> Would either of these methods be beneficial or tend to inhibit >>>>> resonance? >>>>> >>>>> I have noticed that the lute remains most stable when the strap >>>>> is tied nearer the extremity of the peg-box. >>>>> >>>> That works for you and probably most men. I find that since my >>>> shoulders are narrower and more rounded, I have to attach the strap >>>> close to the neck or it slips off my shoulder. >>>>> Furthermore, some people use colourful cloth material, while >>>>> others use a very solid guitar-strap. Is it just the case of 'use >>>>> what works for you", or are there serious reasons for adopting a >>>>> particular method? >>>> De gustibus non disputandum. Wider is better, as is non-slippery. >>>> You want something that will grip your back. >>>> >>>> Remember that how you look does affect how people perceive you. A >>>> psychedelic strap may remind you of your hard-rockin' college days >>>> and comment ironically the instrument you now favor, but would be >>>> out of place in the Collegium concert. Black or natural leather is >>>> never out of place. >>>> >>>> When I play in costume I have a strap that matches my dress. BTW >>>> my costume is in subdued colors with low contrast--in other words >>>> it's not a "stage" costume with lots of stripes, gold braid etc. >>>> The idea is to focus on the music after all. The costume helps set >>>> the mood. >>>> Caroline >>>> >>>> -- >>>> Caroline Usher, Dept. of Biology >>>> Box 90338 >>>> Durham NC 27708 >>>> 613-8155, fax 660-7293 >>>> "So that its subjects will view it with admiration, as a chicken >>>> which has the daring and courage to boldly cross the road, but also >>>> with fear, for who among them has the strength to contend with such >>>> a paragon of avian virtue? In such a manner is the princely >>>> chicken's dominion maintained." - Machiavelli >>>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> To get on or off this list see list information at >>> http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html >>> >> >
