a.. Eumatius [the student]: ... Also, how does it happen that you
do not use frets that are spaced by unusual inequality of
intervals, and some other little frets that take away the sharpness
from the major third and tenth, as I have seen used by some
universally known, skilful men, from whom I understand that both
are exceedingly necessary and useful.
b.. Fronimo [the teacher]: [
* * *
[Then he points out that those using the tastini do not know much
about theory, they just want to hear 'marvels'.]
And indeed, Galilei sounds remarkably like Martyn, complaining that
David van Ooijen's fretting is theoretically impossible even though
David actually does it in practice.
But the point here is not that Galilei thinks "frets that are spaced
by unusual inequality of intervals" and dismissed tastini as
wrongheaded. The point is that even in staking out his debating
position, Galilei surprisingly concedes that the lutenists who
disagree with him include "universally known, skillful men." He's
aware that he's talking about a practice that's common, or respected,
or both.
Unless he meant it ironically/sarcastically. Take David vO. He is a
"universally known, skillful man" and quite given to aristophilia. And if I
say that he merits much emulation- would you really believe me?
RT
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