Good perspective, Joe. Astute inference from the injunctions against the
procedure; much like the prevalence of tastini and meantone fretting
being inferred by Vincenzo Galilei's injunctions against such usage. I
believe (not sure) that Weiss's recommendation for nails- but only for
ensemble work- may be in E.G. Baron's "History of the Lute" (Doug
Smith's English translation).
I would like to read a true, word-for-word translation of Piccinni's
writing on nails. I've only read differing opinions on "what he meant"
in the course of arguments pro and/or con.
My own situation has been no-nails on lute, just never sounded right;
although thoroughly schooled and comfortable with them as a classical
guitarist in my youth. I got a classical guitar for the 1st time in
nearly 40 years a couple of years ago, nails kind of grew back on their
own as if by subconscious will, but I've totally lost that touch- even
on the guitar. Off they came, so now- when I have the time- I work on
getting a proper sound out of the guitar without the claws. I believe
Tarrega spent some time trying out no nails, and Sor and Aguado also had
their differences. But in any case, most modern classical guitars need
nails most of the time for not to sound muffled & soggy. Still, like my
steel-string, it provides another fun alternative for plucking around. I
even play some guitar music on it.
Dan
On 12/10/2013 10:23 AM, Mayes, Joseph wrote:
I play the lute, archlute and vihuela with nails for the same reason that I
play the classical guitar with nails: because it sounds better!
Of course, by that I mean it sounds better to me. Nails give the attack a
precision that flesh does not. It also comes closer, IMHO to the sound
usually described in historical sources as desirable on lute - silvery,
tinkling, etc.
Many sources tell us not to use nails - which they wouldn't have bothered to
do if people were not doing it that way.
I don't play with flesh, I don't ride my horse to the gig, and I don't
attend any bear-bating.
My $.02
Joseph mayes
On 12/10/13 11:05 AM, "Bruno Correia" <[email protected]> wrote:
Here we go again with the nails issue. There are many sources
describing the use of flesh as the best way to sound upon the lute,
however, the use of nails was certainly a possibility. But only because
three cats used it doesn't mean it was the general taste of those
times. Just because Jimi Hendrix played with his teeth doesn't
mean that everyone does it today. I could only justify the nails if I
still played the classical guitar, otherwise what benefit would it
bring?
2013/12/10 Martin Shepherd <[1][email protected]>
Well, there's Piccinini, who recommends playing with nails, and
Mace, who says that some people do it and think it's the best way,
but he says it might be OK in an ensemble but doesn't like it for
solo playing. There may be others - Weiss? Vihuela references? I'm
sure others can help.
Martin
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