Hello John, I don't know if I qualify as an experienced player yet, but since I've been going through some of the battles you now face I thought I would comment briefly. In returning to the lute about a year and a half ago after 30 + years away from it, I learned about thumb under technique. I had been playing before without nails, but with thumb out and basically a guitar posture with the right hand. Little by little I've found that I could bring my arm lower and approach the strings from a position behind the bridge. And I've been able to keep instrument almost horizontal. I think the important thing to realize is that this position CAN be comfortable (I am 6' with long arms) but it takes a bit of time to get used to. The benefits of this posture will become obvious as it becomes more comfortable. I have looked at many videos (I also don't have a teacher to advise me) and find them tremendously helpful.
Check the videos Nancy mentioned, and some of the good players on youtube (eg. luthval), and be diligent but patient. Good luck - Edward On Aug 18, 2010, at 5:20 PM, Mathias Rösel wrote: > "Nancy Carlin" <[email protected]> schrieb: >> 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 > > One could mention that the video with J. Heringman is in line with what > Poulton wrote, as far as the right arm / hand position is concerned. > That's in contrast to the others who seem to reveal inadvertently their > dark guitarist-ish past. > > Sorry, couldn't resist > > Mathias > >> 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) >> -- >> 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/ >> >> > > > -- > Viele Grüße > > Mathias Rösel > > http://mathiasroesel.livejournal.com > http://www.myspace.com/mathiasroesel >
