There are some nice videos that will answer some of your questions on
the Lute Society of America web site
[1]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~lsa/download/index.html
Scroll down to the section that has Instructional Materials.
Nancy Carlin
I have a few questions for the experienced players out there who
might
be so kind as to answer. I've been working through the Poulton
book &
have taken one lute lesson (no teachers within 75 miles of where
I
live), and I am still a bit puzzled by the proper right-arm
position
when playing. Poulton states that the arm should cross the body
of the
lute "about level with the bridge"- I assume that this means that
if
one drew an imaginary line extending the bridge to the upper edge
of
the face, then the arm should cross near that point. Is this
correct?
If so, then if one also keeps the hand in line with the forearm,
then
the hand tends to cross the strings at nearly 45 degrees and the
elbow
points uncomfortably outward (assuming the lute is held more or
less
horizontal). Thumb-under technique is also difficult. Elevating
the
headstock helps, but for a long-armed chap like myself the lute
ends up
nearly upright, and I figure this is probably not right.
Now, I find having the arm cross at a point just below the upper
rear
bout of the body- behind the bridge- to be the most comfortable
and
natural. Have I simply misinterpreted Poulton? It seems that
there is
a fair amount of variation amongst players in regards to this
issue.
Is it a matter of "whatever feels best", and should I not take it
that
seriously?
Finally, I find that in whatever position I use, the edge of the
face
(where it meets the body) tends to dig into my forearm where it
crosses, and this becomes pretty uncomfortable after a little
while.
Is this common & something to get used to, or does it signify
that I'm
holding the lute wrong?
Many thanks!
John (from Ohio)
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To get on or off this list see list information at
[2]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
Nancy Carlin Associates
P.O. Box 6499
Concord, CA 94524 USA
phone 925/686-5800 fax 925/680-2582
web sites - [3]www.nancycarlinassociates.com
[4]www.groundsanddivisions.info
Representing:
FROM WALES - Crasdant & Carreg Lafar, FROM ENGLAND - Jez Lowe & Jez
Lowe & The Bad Pennies, and now representing EARLY MUSIC - The Venere
Lute Quartet, The Good Pennyworths & Morrongiello & Young
Administrator THE LUTE SOCIETY OF AMERICA
web site - [5]http://LuteSocietyofAmerica.org
--
References
1. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~lsa/download/index.html
2. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
3. http://www.nancycarlinassociates.com/
4. http://www.groundsanddivisions.info/
5. http://lutesocietyofamerica.org/
