I am on a quest to extract more power out of my lute in the 5th or more courses of my lute (in other words, the typical fundamental + octave courses).
My lute is an 8c Renaissance made by Larry Brown in 1977, 62cm length. I currently have it strung in Nylgut for the top four courses (as well as all the octaves), and Savarez silver overwounds for the basses. I realize this is not the best lute in the world, but it sounds very nice. I just cant get the bass courses to sound out when I want them to (especially the fretted 6th course in first position). This is important when, for example, playing more polyphonic Reconnaissance music like de Rippe's and Dowland's fantasies. (I know, of course, that no other string on the lute will equal the chantarelle's power. This impossibility is not what I'm after. I just want more PRESENCE in the lower courses when I need it.) I come from playing the piano and a little bit of classical guitar. I know, I know. You're thinking: This guy's nuts, wanting piano-like power out of a lute. Well, of course that can't ever happen. I am many things, but a moron is not one of them. On those instruments, when you want more bass power you simply...play harder. Not so easy on a lute. So why do I play a lute? Because I think they are one of the most beautiful and perfect of instruments. I don't even play my guitar anymore. (NOTE: I am NOT playing my lute with nails. I use "proper" thumb under technique.) I realize that getting more power from the lower courses is a combination of: 1) technique 2) string type 3) instrument type. I don't have access to other lutes, and I've tried nearly every string under the sun money can buy (I've settled on the Savarez wounds). In most recordings I hear of the Renn. lute, obviously by players far superior to myself, the basses do not have the quality I prefer. They sound dead and soft--perfect for simple chordal accompaniment, but rather useless for polyphonic playing. There are some exceptions (mainly by Paul O'dette), and these players always use synthetic strings. My question is, without another five pages of explanation of techniques that I've explored, what would you all recommend I try? I'm sure it has to do with a combination of rest stroke and how close one plays to the bridge and angle of attack... Or maybe I'm just asking too much from a 62cm instrument? Do I "need" to get a larger instrument for greater string length? Oh, and telling me to just go play an archlute or a theorbo if I want powerful basses won't cut it :) The 8c, 9c, or 10c Renn. lute is where my heart is. Thanks to all in advance. To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
