Benjamin-- Interesting, I've been ruminating on the same question. Based on both repertoire & iconography, it does seem that the "double-headed" lute could answer for a wide range of 17th century tunings & solo works, as well as be entirely suited for 17th c. chamber continuo...at least non-Italian continuo. On the other hand, I've tried versatile instruments in the past, and they've not quite held my affections, so I might wait for you to try this experiment before I decide! tom > Date: Sat, 17 May 2014 19:08:47 +0200 > To: [email protected] > From: [email protected] > Subject: [LUTE] 12 Course Lutes > > Dear All, > > Does anybody on this list have any experience with 12c lutes? I am > considering getting one if I can get the funds together and I would be > grateful for any counsel drawn from actual experience. I have never > even laid finger to fret on one of these lutes before, so it is a bit > of a leap of faith. That said, there is clearly so much music that > could be played in either "vieux ton" or "nouveau ton" on this lute, > and I think it is the ultimate historical continuo beast for so much > 17c repertoire, in particular English music (Purcell, Lawes, etc.) > > Also: string lengths. I know they can be very small (around 55cm) to > very big (perhaps 76cm or so). Any suggestions? I am kind of torn > between having perhaps a smaller solo instrument and a larger one that > I could use for accompaniment. > > Any thoughts? > > Best wishes, > > Benjamin > > -- > [1]www.luthiste.com > t +33 (0) 1 44 27 03 44 > p/m +33 (0) 6 71 79 98 98 > -- > > References > > 1. http://www.luthiste.com/ > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
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