If you're playing on gut strings, be advised that gut shrinks when wet.
This is one of the techniques used to set gut frets , i.e. wetting them
before attaching them.
Gary
On 2015-12-23 18:47, LSA Lute Rental Program wrote:
Every month I try to send all the renters of Lute Society of America
lutes a little info on some topic. The one I am doing a bit of
research on now is the practice of wetting right hand thumb, index,
and
middle fingers before playing the lute.
I am sure this has been a past topic and am sure there are lots of
opinions out there about this. That is, actually, why I am asking
for
your thoughts. Some lutenists "fog" their fingers, some wet them,
some wet them and rub their fingers against their nose to collect
oil,
some use lotion or mineral oil or Vaseline, some do other things,
some
do nothing and play with dry fingers.
Can you offer me any history about any of these practices, any
information, pros/cons, advantages/disadvantages, issues of string
type
(gut, Nylgut, nylon, etc.)? I am not taking a position on the
issue...I am just gathering information and whatever you can share
is
appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael Grant
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