[LUTE] Re: Decisions, decisions
On Jun 30, 2008, at 11:01 PM, David Tayler wrote: Consider a dual purpose instrument. An archlute, or a 9 course or 10 course can be dual setup to play in French tuning, either with double strings (archlute) or single strings (9 or 10 course) as well as the original tuning. Sorry, I'm not following you here. Can you explain that again? Thanks, David R [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: Decisions, decisions
Alan Hoyle wrote: As retirement, and subsequent reduction of money to spend on luxuries, approaches, my wife (or 'wifu', David, but never again 'her indoors') has informed me that it should be possible for me to buy one last instrument. Realistically, though, I couldn't really go much beyond £2000( plus whatever I can get for my 1979 nine-course orpharion, which my slightly arthritic wrists, elbows shoulders cannot manage to play now) At present, I have (in addition to the orpharion) a six-course G lute, a six-course G viola da mano, and a seven-course G lute that I built some 30 years ago from the Harwood Isaacs lute kit - no prizes for guessing the repertoire that I have been playing. But now I find myself totally unsure what to choose. For many years I have dreamed of one day owning a baroque lute. Would that be a sensible choice for a man whose fingers are slowing down (to say nothing of his brain!). And if it were a sensible choice, then how many courses? The only baroque repertoire that I am at all familiar with is Weiss (thanks to Robert Barto) and Bach (thanks to Walter Gerwig) - almost certainly too demanding for me to contemplate trying to learn. I know nothing of the French 17th century styles, is there scope there for an aging novice? Should I stick to the 'Golden Age', simply moving from mostly pre-1550 to focus more on 1600? And then, once more the question arises, how many courses? I know this was discussed a few months ago I can go and look in the archives... Or, should I stick with what I am accustomed to and buy an instrument of different character - a vihuela in A, for example, of a lower pitched lute in E or F? Or... should I simply tell my wife, 'No, dear, I really don't need any more instruments - I think you should buy yourself a bigger greenhouse'? I would seriously welcome suggestions and advice. Alan How about a five-course (Baroque) guitar? I think these might be in your price range though modern makers tend to copy only the most ornate models from the past - and charge accordingly. This will give you a huge repertoire (from the early 17th century right into the 18th) from the familiar (Sanz, De Visee etc ) to... as obscure as you want. And you could dabble with continuo and accompany others. And you can endlessly muse about stringing and tuning. Stuart No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 8.0.101 / Virus Database: 270.4.3/1524 - Release Date: 28/06/2008 19:42 To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Decisions, decisions
Hi-If you are interested in the baroque lute, you should get one. You just might find the left hand fingerings easier on the fingers than the ren-lute. As to the question of how many courses-that should be determined by the music you want to play. Get a 13 course if you like Weiss and Bach, or get an 11 course if you like early German or French music. If you are not sure, just get a 13 course and you can cover it all. Sterling - Original Message From: Alan Hoyle [EMAIL PROTECTED] To: Lutelist Net lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Sent: Sunday, June 29, 2008 10:39:42 AM Subject: [LUTE] Decisions, decisions As retirement, and subsequent reduction of money to spend on luxuries, approaches, my wife (or 'wifu', David, but never again 'her indoors') has informed me that it should be possible for me to buy one last instrument. Realistically, though, I couldn't really go much beyond £2000( plus whatever I can get for my 1979 nine-course orpharion, which my slightly arthritic wrists, elbows shoulders cannot manage to play now) At present, I have (in addition to the orpharion) a six-course G lute, a six-course G viola da mano, and a seven-course G lute that I built some 30 years ago from the Harwood Isaacs lute kit - no prizes for guessing the repertoire that I have been playing. But now I find myself totally unsure what to choose. For many years I have dreamed of one day owning a baroque lute. Would that be a sensible choice for a man whose fingers are slowing down (to say nothing of his brain!). And if it were a sensible choice, then how many courses? The only baroque repertoire that I am at all familiar with is Weiss (thanks to Robert Barto) and Bach (thanks to Walter Gerwig) - almost certainly too demanding for me to contemplate trying to learn. I know nothing of the French 17th century styles, is there scope there for an aging novice? Should I stick to the 'Golden Age', simply moving from mostly pre-1550 to focus more on 1600? And then, once more the question arises, how many courses? I know this was discussed a few months ago I can go and look in the archives... Or, should I stick with what I am accustomed to and buy an instrument of different character - a vihuela in A, for example, of a lower pitched lute in E or F? Or... should I simply tell my wife, 'No, dear, I really don't need any more instruments - I think you should buy yourself a bigger greenhouse'? I would seriously welcome suggestions and advice. Alan -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Decisions, decisions
On Jun 30, 2008, at 4:14 PM, sterling price wrote: You just might find the left hand fingerings easier on the fingers than the ren-lute. But be sure your arthritic joints can handle the right-hand stretches. Imagine a few more courses on your nine-course. -- To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
[LUTE] Re: Decisions, decisions
Consider a dual purpose instrument. An archlute, or a 9 course or 10 course can be dual setup to play in French tuning, either with double strings (archlute) or single strings (9 or 10 course) as well as the original tuning. You can also setup the archlute to play in single and double, old tuning or D minor tuning. Weiss on the theorbo in D minor tuning sounds amazing, btw. dt At 09:39 AM 6/29/2008, you wrote: As retirement, and subsequent reduction of money to spend on luxuries, approaches, my wife (or 'wifu', David, but never again 'her indoors') has informed me that it should be possible for me to buy one last instrument. Realistically, though, I couldn't really go much beyond £2000( plus whatever I can get for my 1979 nine-course orpharion, which my slightly arthritic wrists, elbows shoulders cannot manage to play now) At present, I have (in addition to the orpharion) a six-course G lute, a six-course G viola da mano, and a seven-course G lute that I built some 30 years ago from the Harwood Isaacs lute kit - no prizes for guessing the repertoire that I have been playing. But now I find myself totally unsure what to choose. For many years I have dreamed of one day owning a baroque lute. Would that be a sensible choice for a man whose fingers are slowing down (to say nothing of his brain!). And if it were a sensible choice, then how many courses? The only baroque repertoire that I am at all familiar with is Weiss (thanks to Robert Barto) and Bach (thanks to Walter Gerwig) - almost certainly too demanding for me to contemplate trying to learn. I know nothing of the French 17th century styles, is there scope there for an aging novice? Should I stick to the 'Golden Age', simply moving from mostly pre-1550 to focus more on 1600? And then, once more the question arises, how many courses? I know this was discussed a few months ago I can go and look in the archives... Or, should I stick with what I am accustomed to and buy an instrument of different character - a vihuela in A, for example, of a lower pitched lute in E or F? Or... should I simply tell my wife, 'No, dear, I really don't need any more instruments - I think you should buy yourself a bigger greenhouse'? I would seriously welcome suggestions and advice. Alan -- I am using the free version of SPAMfighter for private users. It has removed 3 spam emails to date. Paying users do not have this message in their emails. Get the free SPAMfighter here: http://www.spamfighter.com/len To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
