I think the actual evidence from the time is minute - something in
Stradivarius and ? at most a couple of other things? (Plus something much
later? Merchi? - when the bass notes are unambiguously bass notes anyway).
Rather surprisingly the one 17th century mention of this practice is in Ruiz
de Ribayaz's Luz y norte musical.
It is also illustrated in the article by Rousseau in Diderot's encyclopedia.
But I think it may have been common on the cittern as well. The instrument
in Saldivar Codex 2 has the low octave string on the third course placed
between the two treble strings.
On the guitar it is not just a question of campanellas. The 5th course is
used quite a lot as a treble string in the part writing and whether or not
bourdons are used I think it is necessary to have it on the thumb side of
the course.
Monica
Monica
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