Dear Individual and Collective Wisdom,
I am an amateur guitarist of about 25 years. I play fingerstyle acoustic, electric, and classical guitar. Because of my other hobbies, such as gardening, I gave up playing with nails some years ago and strictly play with my fingertips. Last year I commissioned a 7-course student lute from Stephen Harris and Sandi Barber, and it is nearing completion. I intend to play renaissance music on this instrument. I have wanted a lute for many years so I am quite excited. From following this list, reading lute tutors, searching the internet, and watching footage of lute players I realize that there aren't strictly thumb-under and thumb-out techniques, but all the shades in between. Currently my technique is very rooted in classical guitar technique, and my thumb never crosses under my other fingers. I have limited time to devote to music, and limited time to devote to learning lute technique. I am not in a rush to learn how to play, but I would like to make the best use of the time I have. Given my circumstances, would you recommend that I learn thumb-under technique? Does it make more sense to use this technique from the start, or should I focus on the other aspects of lute technique? If I don't learn thumb-under from the get go, will this just be more to unlearn later? Should I not even worry about using thumb-under? Thank you in advance, morgan -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
