On Mon, Nov 17, 2008, Rob MacKillop <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> said: > It would be wonderful if we could hear how the average lute player > played in the 16th/17th centuries.
hear, hear! yet, we have some clues, if from other instruments. Lots of pubs and coffee houses on this side of the pond have open mike nights, or otherwise give exposure to serious amateurs and semi-professional players. I have heard some damn good music there and some only so-so; but all of it just fine as background to a chess game or a good book in hand, and mostly worth whatever I can afford to toss into the hat or pay in cover at the door. I am active in LITMA (http://litma.org), and once monthly we meet at some members' house to share a pot-luck dinner and sing, mostly folk songs, but also gospel, blues, pop, broadway, sea chanteys, whatever folks like. Some are musicians and play to support the voices. The results depend a lot on who attends that month, some of the players are really top notch, others are just sitting in to jam (especially the purcussion section which is always eclectic). It is here I find space to develop my improv skills, both vocally and on winds. Everyone is welcome to sing, and most do; with mixed results. Some will know particular songs, and perhaps have a particular recording of that song in mind as they sing, giving them a harmony or some other aspect of performance to emulate (Ahl I wahnt is a rum som wheah...), others are lucky to find something of the tune (and the key the players are in), and do best when a strong voice that knows the tune manages to lead them. I suppose the goal is passtime, may it please. -- Dana Emery To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
