As a publisher of modern editions of old music, I believe those of us who care about making the music truly accessible to a broad audience that includes possible new converts to early music will take necessary steps to present music in a clear, legible format. Denizens of the lute world forget (sometimes conveniently) that old notation, and particularly lute tablature, remains a puzzle to many musicians. Even conservatory students. If we wish to attract a larger audience to our instrument and our music, we should do the responsible thing: Welcome and guide newcomers through the maze of occult-locked-up-secrets. By the way, we just published volume one of the Mignarda Songbook.
[1]https://www.mignarda.com/editions/ RA __________________________________________________________________ From: [email protected] <[email protected]> on behalf of Christopher Stetson <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, December 24, 2019 3:22 PM To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Subject: [LUTE] Re: modern lute editions Hi, everyone. Just my two farthings on this opinion fest: I'm perfectly comfortable reading both from facsimile and modern editions, French, Italian, or "Spanish", but only stumbling German. I don't find modern editions especially ugly, and many original manuscripts (the early ones especially) are hardly beautiful, at least to my eye, and I can say the same of manuscripts in my own hand. I remember the time before internet digitization, and I'm very glad they're available, but many library- or university-based online sources are cumbersome to access. I am, though, glad that the mid-20th century practice of printing tablature paired with grand staff a la CNRS (apologies to Arthur N.) has fallen out of favor. I admit there is a certain satisfaction to reading from original books, but when I need a copy of "Sweet Stay Awhile" stat for a rehearsal, [1]gerbode.net is where I turn. Please don't stop, Sarge! Best to all, Happy 2020, and keep playing, Chris. On Sun, Dec 22, 2019 at 9:59 AM Tristan von Neumann <[2][email protected]> wrote: l don't see the big problem in reading facsimile tabs. I think this has more to do with sight-reading. I am lazy and don't want to practice pieces. But playing a lot of different pieces you understand certain similarities that become useful when sight-reading manuscripts. You just know how the piece goes, or at least from experience you play something that wouldn't be considered "wrong" where you have to guess quickly. So the encouragement should be: practice sight-reading. On 22.12.19 15:29, Jean-Marie Poirier wrote: > Dear Martyn, > I must beg to differ on that one. I, personally, prefer to play from original tabs including German tab, but I have seen too many students, not advanced students of course, who gave up in front of a facsimile tab. > So, although I agree on the advantages of playing from original sources, I reiterate my grateful thanks to Sarge, Doug and others for making so many little known works available to all, encouraging them to become acquainted with the sources and to make their own research afterwards. > Best wishes > Jean-Marie > >> Le 22 déc. 2019 à 12:48, Martyn Hodgson <[3][email protected]> a écrit : >> >>  Dear Jean-Marie, >> One really doesn't need to be a 'professional' to read from early >> MSs and printed editions - it's really not difficult and does a >> disservice to many, if not most, lute and guitar players by >> underestimating their abilities. >> Where I do believe modern tablature editions have a valued place >> is in the production of complete editions (with scholarly notes too) >> of a particular composer's work or of a particular work set by >> various composers (as well as Anon). John Robinson is, in my view, >> the principal torch bearer for much fine modern work in this line.. >> regards >> Martyn > > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > [4]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- References 1. [2]http://gerbode.net/ 2. [3]mailto:[email protected] 3. [4]mailto:[email protected] 4. [5]http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html -- References 1. https://www.mignarda.com/editions/ 2. http://gerbode.net/ 3. mailto:[email protected] 4. mailto:[email protected] 5. http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
