[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
...the choices are Electric Engineer and Electronics and Computer Engineering. I've been a programmer systems admin, and it's a bag of worms I don't want to have to deal with! Computer--worms? Gary - Original Message - From: William Brohinsky To: gary digman Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 4:42 AM Subject: Re: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 4:15 AM, gary digman [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: ...bag of worms... Pun intended? Gary Maybe not? What's the pun? ray No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - http://www.avg.com Version: 8.0.138 / Virus Database: 270.4.5/1537 - Release Date: 7/6/2008 5:26 AM -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 7, 2008, at 11:17 AM, William Brohinsky wrote: . They had three lutes then: this theorboed lute, which was broken; a 13-course baroque lute, and an 'elizabethan' lute, ... The baroque lute is about, probably available, but while I'd be willing to spend a year or two learning dminor tuning and such, I'm really looking to develop some continuo ability. If you can use the Baroque lute why not just string it up with single strings? At least there will be enough pegs and the RH spacing would be in the ball park. Ed Durbrow Saitama, Japan [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www9.plala.or.jp/edurbrow/ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 8:12 AM, Ed Durbrow [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: If you can use the Baroque lute why not just string it up with single strings? At least there will be enough pegs and the RH spacing would be in the ball park. This is a reasonable option, exactly equivalent, however, to what I'm proposing to do with the EMS LLO. For my lute, I'd put a much wider bridge on, build a buttressed support for a wider nut, and space the strings at the right hand at whatever passes for standard for a single-strung theorbo. Note that this has been declared wrong and inadmissable by at least three people already, although your mileage may vary. (mine does.) Since the diapasons aren't fingered, and my LLO has eight courses, I can support the equivalent of 8x6 or 6x8 this way. The point of trying to get the theorboed lute fixed is that it does have the extra body size and diapason string length to get the vaunted real theorbo sound, although memory (and compressed disks) may be conspiring to make me remember it as longer than it might be. (I have mentioned this in responses to private emails, but I don't think I've said so on the list yet: I asked Dr. Rice about the possibility of meeting him before the end of the school year so that I could at least survey the condition and string lengths of the theorboed lute, but the only response I received was I'll look forward to your audition in the fall.) Sometimes, chicken-and-egg problems require creative solutions. The baroque lute, incidentally, has a chanterelle rider and the top two strings are singles. I hesitate to consider trying to modify its pegs for larger strings with reentrant tunings. (Also, let me take this rare opportunity to correct a misapprehension: I am not basing my audition for the Collegium on lute and/or theorbo: I play viols, recorders, shawms, krummhorns, baroque oboe and bassoon, 'cello, string bass (although the college doesn't have a violone and I can't play it if they get one) and can even sing. I've been doing these things for over 30 years, though, and I'd really like to make my time with the collegium profitable. For me, at this point, that is spelled continuo. The rest of the madness flows from this root.) ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
Ray, I think the option you really should consider facing (even though it hurts to think about it) is to bite the bullet and buy a real theorbo. It will sound so much better. Also, if you make a compromise instrument, you'll only learn to play that specific theorbo. Not that public opinion is everything, but what's the point of going for the legitimate degree if no one takes you seriously the minute you open your case because of your rigged-up lute? Sorry to be blunt, but there are a fair number of snobs in early music who try to outdo each other with the severity of their various tuning/temperament/string material/instrument choice/etc. fetishes. While these are all legitimate areas of investigation, the unfortunate fact is that there are those who will judge you more on these factors than your playing. (Double-stringing on a theorbo is not a bad thing, though!) Chris --- William Brohinsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 9:13 PM, David Tayler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is a very difficult situation that you describe. I think the question to ask yourself, is where exactly you a are going in your studies. Well, actually, where I'm going in my studies is an EE degree. Because ultimately, the instrument you describe is going to hold you back. What I'm describing is taking a piece of junk and making it the equivalent of a drummer's practice pad. Another point to consider is why the instrument is in its current state? What does that say about the program? ok, two instruments are under discussion here. First, my LSO: I'm not intending to change the neck. All I'm intending to do is set it up with a wider nut and bridge to support more courses than it currently does, and string it single, so that I have something a step closer to a theorbo or chitarrone than I currently have, which is a classical guitar with reentrant tuning. I want to have more practice with diapasons than I can get with an 8-course doublestrung lute. I'm not in any danger of playing continuo for the English Concert in the next two months. The theorboed lute at UCONN: This instrument was purchased long before I started playing there as a 'townie' in the early 80's. They had three lutes then: this theorboed lute, which was broken; a 13-course baroque lute, and an 'elizabethan' lute, probably 8-course, but I can't be sure because the closest I got to it was when the alumnus who had it in hands came to play at a few of our rehersals and a concert. That lute is still in the hands of an alumnus, although I don't know if it is the same person. The baroque lute is about, probably available, but while I'd be willing to spend a year or two learning dminor tuning and such, I'm really looking to develop some continuo ability. That leaves the disabled theorboed lute. It has been 26 years since I last saw it, and my memory isn't so good that I remember exactly what the broken part was, but I doubt that it is unrepairable, and the 'cello maker is good enough, and good enough a friend, that I'm pretty sure we can get it functional again. This may allow putting on a new, longer neck for the diapasons. I don't know yet. Frankly, I won't know for sure until I see it. In the mean time, I'm looking to gain some facility with picking out diapasons. I suppose I could restring the guitar with all A and low E strings and tune them for six steps, and just practice with my thumb, but that's kind of purposeless, since I'll need to be able to find the right diapasons while still dealing with the top courses. After you test those issues, it is perfectly reasonable in one sense to restring it single. But it is not what in another sense what you deserve. Sadly, it is tough to get started when the admission ticket is so steep. Good luck! dt It is hard to say what I deserve, although it is nice to think that I deserve an excellent instrument and a chance to play it. Some day, perhaps, with an EE degree, rather than just 35 years experience as an electronics technician, that can happen. The admission ticket does, indeed, seem steep at this point! So, in review, what I'm asking is this: Admitting that the result is going to be sub-optimum, what string length should I shoot for that will allow single stringing this EMS LSO with single courses, at some pitch, which I will call an A theorbo for the sake of argument, but might be anything, as long as it allows fingering the top six courses (eight should actually be fingerable) and a set of diapasons enough to simulate a theorbo's string spacing? If the true and just answer is that I'm a dunce and shouldn't consider attempting to get a feel for playing with diapasons in the two months I have before audition time, so be it. At this point, though, I'm not seeking to produce a perfect tone nor a perfect reproduction of a
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 7, 2008, at 10:38 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: I think the option you really should consider facing (even though it hurts to think about it) is to bite the bullet and buy a real theorbo. It will sound so much better. Also, if you make a compromise instrument, you'll only learn to play that specific theorbo. Not that public opinion is everything, but what's the point of going for the legitimate degree if no one takes you seriously the minute you open your case because of your rigged-up lute? I agree, as a serious player, one needs to have a good instrument; but on the other hand public opinion is not the best reason in the world to part with thousands of dollars. As far as being taken seriously, audiences mostly enjoy being entertained. Many of them have never seen a lute actually being played before, so they're interested in the instrument and what it sounds like. As for those who sit out there judging us on the precise angle of our pinkies, and the precise length of our apoggiaturas, well, any damn fool can be a critic. But how many can get up there and play...? Sorry to be blunt, but there are a fair number of snobs in early music who try to outdo each other with the severity of their various tuning/temperament/string material/instrument choice/etc. fetishes. While these are all legitimate areas of investigation, the unfortunate fact is that there are those who will judge you more on these factors than your playing. It's true there is a certain amount of theorbo-envy in the lute community. And why not? Size is everything, right? ;-) ;-) As for being judgemental, it's good to bear in mind that when we point a finger, we always have three fingers pointing back at ourselves. DR [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
Oi. Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. I'm sorry. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
Ray, Hey, no feathers were ruffled here. I pointed no fingers specifically, but peer pressure does exist. Pretending it doesn't exist as long as people keep asking you to play. (My wife has a classical guitar student who is slightly handicapped so that he can not hold the guitar in the traditional manner and so he must lay the guitar across his lap. I've heard the kid play and his handicap doesn't seem to cause him any problems, although my wife has had to re-think many of the foundations of guitar teaching. He also learns extremely quickly and reads music well. Now that we're moving, my wife has been struggling to find a responsible teacher. None of the degreed classical guitar teachers will take this kid on since he can't hold the guitar right, so he'll probably end up taking lessons with some three-chord strummer in the back room of a music store.) My primary reason for recommending purchasing a theorbo was simply the sound quality. You're going to school to learn the ins and outs of this music, right? Then you should have an instrument with the sonic capabilities to allow you to express what you know and feel. I'm actually in an identical situation right now. I'll be going back to school in the fall and know that I won't be able to limp along with the mediocre lute I currently have. Its not that its even all that bad; it just isn't subtle enough. Upgrading to a better instrument will be a significant finacial hardship for me, especially with the expenses involved with moving, but I know its something I've got to do if I'm going to do the music (and myself) justice. --- William Brohinsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: Oi. Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. I'm sorry. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 7, 2008, at 8:46 AM, William Brohinsky wrote: Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. Well, not to be huffy, but I thought my advice was to the point, assuming I understood your question correctly. Other listers seem to have assumed that you intended to get a music performance degree rather than an engineering degree, presumably because they are are themselves professional musicians and are inclined to think that way, or because they don't know what EE means (you should have spelled that out), or both. Given the misunderstanding, their advice was reasonable and friendly, if irrelevant. I still think you should just make your practice pad resemble the drum you intend to play, insofar as it's practical. It may not be practical; it could result in an instrument that's too far from the real world to be useful. I suspect converting a seven-course instrument into a 14-course instrument may leave you with string spacing that only a gibbon could squeeze its fingers into, even though the actual number of strings is the same, but that suspicion is grounded in ignorance. If you decide that's what you want to do, you should pose specific questions, including specific measurements, our cyberbuddies that . Keep in mind also that if you intend to play UConn's theorboed whatever in an ensemble rather than playing solo music, it is not critical that you be able to manage all the deep basses at first, or indeed at all. You'll rarely find written notes that require a course below the ninth or tenth. So building a practice pad for the purpose of learning to manage 14 courses may be more work than it's worth. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
I am eager to hear all the possibilities in bringing a dormant lute back into use. It sounds like a challenging and worthwhile project. However, the time spent on restoration could take longer than learning to play for a scholarship. Why not rent or buy an instrument and get practicing, before getting to grips with serious lutherie. As for making a clear-case...Well, I had not thought of it before but, they might just catch on! Register the patent quick. Best Wishes Ron (UK) To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
No feathers ruffled here.. What's an EE degree? Isn't it easier to fit an extra neck on an old guitar, and go for something like 10 or 12 single strings? Keep it in E, first two strings down an octave (use a D and an A string) and just use low E strings for the bourdons? You could use the head of a second guitar for the neck extension. Sounds like an easier job and, given the availability of cheap guitars, not an expensive one either. Gives you more time to practice the instrument. Any path to the lute is good one. David David van Ooijen [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.davidvanooijen.nl - Original Message - From: William Brohinsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 5:46 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request Oi. Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. I'm sorry. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
EE == Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering (which term is used depends on the program). Guy -Original Message- From: LGS-Europe [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 2:14 PM To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request No feathers ruffled here.. What's an EE degree? Isn't it easier to fit an extra neck on an old guitar, and go for something like 10 or 12 single strings? Keep it in E, first two strings down an octave (use a D and an A string) and just use low E strings for the bourdons? You could use the head of a second guitar for the neck extension. Sounds like an easier job and, given the availability of cheap guitars, not an expensive one either. Gives you more time to practice the instrument. Any path to the lute is good one. David David van Ooijen [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.davidvanooijen.nl - Original Message - From: William Brohinsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 5:46 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request Oi. Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. I'm sorry. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 7, 2008, at 2:43 PM, William Brohinsky wrote: Give me a nice tame electron... Now I think you're addressing your request to the wrong group. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
I love the smell of burning insulation in the morning:-) -Original Message- From: William Brohinsky [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 2:44 PM To: Guy Smith Cc: LGS-Europe; lute-cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request Indeed, EE is Electrical Engineering, although at Uconn there is no Electronic Engineer choice: the choices are Electric Engineer and Electronics and Computer Engineering. I've been a programmer/systems admin, and it's a bag of worms I don't want to have to deal with! Give me a nice tame electron... even if it's just planning to gang up on me and toast my fingertips!! ray On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 5:33 PM, Guy Smith [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: EE == Electrical Engineering or Electronic Engineering (which term is used depends on the program). Guy -Original Message- From: LGS-Europe [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 2:14 PM To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request No feathers ruffled here.. What's an EE degree? Isn't it easier to fit an extra neck on an old guitar, and go for something like 10 or 12 single strings? Keep it in E, first two strings down an octave (use a D and an A string) and just use low E strings for the bourdons? You could use the head of a second guitar for the neck extension. Sounds like an easier job and, given the availability of cheap guitars, not an expensive one either. Gives you more time to practice the instrument. Any path to the lute is good one. David David van Ooijen [EMAIL PROTECTED] www.davidvanooijen.nl - Original Message - From: William Brohinsky [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Monday, July 07, 2008 5:46 PM Subject: [LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request Oi. Folks, please forgive me, and let this subject drop, now? I had no intention of stubbing toes, firing up rwars, or causing people to point fingers. It is now obvious to me that I did not make the case for what I want to do clearly enough. It is also clear that, this request has no chance of bearing fruit. I'm sorry. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.htmlhttp://www.cs.dartmou th.edu/%7Ewbc/lute-admin/index.html --
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 7, 2008, at 6:03 PM, howard posner wrote: On Jul 7, 2008, at 2:43 PM, William Brohinsky wrote: Give me a nice tame electron... Now I think you're addressing your request to the wrong group. Only wild electrons on this list. Ones that have been drawn out of their shells...?? DR [EMAIL PROTECTED] -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Jul 6, 2008, at 1:27 PM, William Brohinsky wrote: All of which is said because I really want to be able to demonstrate that I could play that theorboed lute as a theorbo when I audition in a few months. I've been working the top six courses as an exercise with my classical guitar restrung (A and D strings replacing b and e strings) tuned double-reentrant, and capoed up five frets, i.e., an A theorbo without diapasons. Now I'm thinking, even with the horrendously short string lengths, to modify this EMS lute-like-thingie, to make it single strung and provide 14 strings. I don't mind tuning it low (unlike my wife, I can change between modern, old, french, or other tunings without problems), and because it's a stopgap, I don't mind if the diapasons aren't optimally resonant. That said, can anyone advise me what would be a good string length to shoot for, what would be a reasonable pitch standard (consider it an A theorbo, so state A=XXXhz for the top string, don't bother relating it to A=440!) and what should I be expecting for string spacing at the bridge? If I understand you correctly, you mean to salvage an instrument that someone else would consider pretty hopeless, the job will include a new neck of yet undecided length, and your principal purpose is to modify it so that you can use it to practice for an audition on a specific instrument that you also plan to repair. So isn't the obvious answer make the instrument you have as much as possible like the instrument you plan to audition on? That takes care of the string length question, I'd think. As to pitch, I'd say move it around a lot so that you get the feel of different string tensions. This is not the best treatment you can give an instrument, but do you care? Keep in mind that if the UConn instrument is small, it may sound tubby and muddy as a theorbo in A. A 62cm theorboed lute is best left a lute. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
This is a very difficult situation that you describe. I think the question to ask yourself, is where exactly you a are going in your studies. Because ultimately, the instrument you describe is going to hold you back. Another point to consider is why the instrument is in its current state? What does that say about the program? After you test those issues, it is perfectly reasonable in one sense to restring it single. But it is not what in another sense what you deserve. Sadly, it is tough to get started when the admission ticket is so steep. Good luck! dt At 01:27 PM 7/6/2008, you wrote: Folk, I have a lute-like-object. It was an EMS lute kit, put together (badly) by a friend of whom I am very fond. He offered it to me when I showed interest (the closest other thing I had to a lute at the time was a guitar.) I took off the top plate and shaved the bowl back to correct for the neck angle, strung it up and it worked well for a fair amount of time, at least for amusement value. Then moisture and climate got to it and the top plate became three top plate pieces, and the bridge flew off and the nut disappeared. Eventually, I gave it to my father-in-law, who put it back together with epoxy, whynot? Only the bridge came off again. While this wasn't a) a surprise or b) very dismaying, it was, in a way fortuitous. I am starting at the University of Connecticut this fall, and I'll be auditioning for the Collegium Musicum. They have (or at least had) a theorboed lute, which was broken. (the break was related to the long neck, and although I remember when I saw it in the '80's, I had no idea what could be done about it, I've a few years in a cabinet shop and one of the world's premier 'cello makers as resources now, so I'm not as afraid of undertaking a repair as I might have been.) I had talked to James Bump (who made one of the college's other lutes) about stringing it, and one of the things he had suggested was making new nuts and single-stringing it. With recent researches in theorboes and chitarrones, this seems a reasonable approach. All of which is said because I really want to be able to demonstrate that I could play that theorboed lute as a theorbo when I audition in a few months. I've been working the top six courses as an exercise with my classical guitar restrung (A and D strings replacing b and e strings) tuned double-reentrant, and capoed up five frets, i.e., an A theorbo without diapasons. Now I'm thinking, even with the horrendously short string lengths, to modify this EMS lute-like-thingie, to make it single strung and provide 14 strings. I don't mind tuning it low (unlike my wife, I can change between modern, old, french, or other tunings without problems), and because it's a stopgap, I don't mind if the diapasons aren't optimally resonant. That said, can anyone advise me what would be a good string length to shoot for, what would be a reasonable pitch standard (consider it an A theorbo, so state A=XXXhz for the top string, don't bother relating it to A=440!) and what should I be expecting for string spacing at the bridge? All pity for my having an EMS LLO, being nuts, being willing to accept extreme compromises, etc, can be sent to me offlist (tiorbinist at gmail dot com). Reccommendations for a good psychotherapist in my neighborhood to /dev/null. I'm really serious, as evidenced by my previous experiences, which include having made a shot at getting the feel for playing baryton by slinging a separate maple board with tuners, nut, string tie-off's and a string lifter upside down over my bass viol, with a structure to hold it with the strings against bridges on the viol's top plate, so I could pluck the brass strings on it with my thumb ala baryton, although beside the neck and not under it. It worked well enough to play most of Haydn's Baryton Trios with. raybro -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Bizarre info request, bordering on advice request
On Sun, Jul 6, 2008 at 9:13 PM, David Tayler [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: This is a very difficult situation that you describe. I think the question to ask yourself, is where exactly you a are going in your studies. Well, actually, where I'm going in my studies is an EE degree. Because ultimately, the instrument you describe is going to hold you back. What I'm describing is taking a piece of junk and making it the equivalent of a drummer's practice pad. Another point to consider is why the instrument is in its current state? What does that say about the program? ok, two instruments are under discussion here. First, my LSO: I'm not intending to change the neck. All I'm intending to do is set it up with a wider nut and bridge to support more courses than it currently does, and string it single, so that I have something a step closer to a theorbo or chitarrone than I currently have, which is a classical guitar with reentrant tuning. I want to have more practice with diapasons than I can get with an 8-course doublestrung lute. I'm not in any danger of playing continuo for the English Concert in the next two months. The theorboed lute at UCONN: This instrument was purchased long before I started playing there as a 'townie' in the early 80's. They had three lutes then: this theorboed lute, which was broken; a 13-course baroque lute, and an 'elizabethan' lute, probably 8-course, but I can't be sure because the closest I got to it was when the alumnus who had it in hands came to play at a few of our rehersals and a concert. That lute is still in the hands of an alumnus, although I don't know if it is the same person. The baroque lute is about, probably available, but while I'd be willing to spend a year or two learning dminor tuning and such, I'm really looking to develop some continuo ability. That leaves the disabled theorboed lute. It has been 26 years since I last saw it, and my memory isn't so good that I remember exactly what the broken part was, but I doubt that it is unrepairable, and the 'cello maker is good enough, and good enough a friend, that I'm pretty sure we can get it functional again. This may allow putting on a new, longer neck for the diapasons. I don't know yet. Frankly, I won't know for sure until I see it. In the mean time, I'm looking to gain some facility with picking out diapasons. I suppose I could restring the guitar with all A and low E strings and tune them for six steps, and just practice with my thumb, but that's kind of purposeless, since I'll need to be able to find the right diapasons while still dealing with the top courses. After you test those issues, it is perfectly reasonable in one sense to restring it single. But it is not what in another sense what you deserve. Sadly, it is tough to get started when the admission ticket is so steep. Good luck! dt It is hard to say what I deserve, although it is nice to think that I deserve an excellent instrument and a chance to play it. Some day, perhaps, with an EE degree, rather than just 35 years experience as an electronics technician, that can happen. The admission ticket does, indeed, seem steep at this point! So, in review, what I'm asking is this: Admitting that the result is going to be sub-optimum, what string length should I shoot for that will allow single stringing this EMS LSO with single courses, at some pitch, which I will call an A theorbo for the sake of argument, but might be anything, as long as it allows fingering the top six courses (eight should actually be fingerable) and a set of diapasons enough to simulate a theorbo's string spacing? If the true and just answer is that I'm a dunce and shouldn't consider attempting to get a feel for playing with diapasons in the two months I have before audition time, so be it. At this point, though, I'm not seeking to produce a perfect tone nor a perfect reproduction of a theorbo. Nor am I going to spend money (in short supply) and time (in shorter supply) trying to make a real theorbo out of the LSO. That, I'm going to save against the chance that I can convince the director of the Collegium that I could be trusted with the college's theorboed lute, repair and refurbish it and then undertake to learn to play it effectively. ray -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
