I failed to mention that I also use one of those rubbery non-slip shelf liners on my lap to keep the lute from slipping.
Leonard On 5/16/07 4:57 PM, "jandaparker" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > ----- 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 >>>> >>> >> > > >
