On 07/28/2014 10:23 AM, David Rastall wrote:
We-ell, not exactly. The pinkie-on-the-soundboard thing is
legitimate renaissance lute technique. It's described in treatises
dating all the way back to the 16th century. I once had an
opportunity to play Jakob Lindberg’s Rauolf lute that dates back to
1590, and sure enough, there was the mark on the soundboard that
bears the imprint of 400 years worth of pinkies! You’ll also notice
that some early 19th-century guitars have a resting place glued on to
the top for the player’s pinkie. Plus, I certainly wouldn’t say that
Merle Travis finger style playing was developed by players with
inadequate right hand techniques. Not to mention bluegrass banjo
players…
Fair enough. I retract my comment!
Tobiah
On Jul 28, 2014, at 12:57 PM, Tobiah <[email protected]> wrote:
On 07/27/2014 01:51 PM, Herbert Ward wrote:
I've worn a spot on the soundboard with my RH pinkie. The bare
wood is starting to show through the finish. Should I do
anything?
I'm more of a guitar player, but I would suggest that this is a
symptom of an undeveloped right-hand technique. I'd go as far as to
say that you are witnessing the impression made by an appendage
that has been long used as a crutch.
Tobiah
To get on or off this list see list information at
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
