From Wikiversity
[edit] The Lute
[edit] Overview
The lute is a family of stringed instruments typically having a pear-shaped body, a rounded back,
and a decorated sound hole called a Rose. Some specific examples of these instruments are lutes,
theorbos, archlutes and others. Although the tunings of the different kinds of lutes vary, similar
techniques can be applied to most of them. Lutes are not played with the exactly the same technique
that one uses with a modern classical guitar, but some similarities exist nonetheless.
[edit] History
The Lute is an instrument dating back to the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. This means
that it has been popular in Europe for over 1700 years since the start of A.D. and fell with the
introduction of the Classical or Spanish Guitar. During this past century, the Lute has made a
comeback with traditional music bringing old composers' (some very well known) music with it.
[edit] Holding the Lute
The Lute is held with the lower pitches on the top closer to the player's face and with the rounded
back against the chest. It is tricky at first to balance the lute because of the shape. My advice is
to put the deepest point of the rounded back (the back's parabolic point, approximately at the center
of the instrument.)
[edit] Playing the Lute
Learn how to play the types of Lute, including the Soprano Lute, Alto Lute, Tenor Lute, Bass Lute, and others
- Lutes: Lesson 1
- Lutes: Lesson 2
- Lutes: Lesson 3
- Lutes: Lesson 4
- Lutes: Lesson 5
[edit] Playing Theorbo, Archlute, and other bass Lutes
Learn to play the big Bass Lutes such as the Archlute, Theorbo, as well as other Lutes similar to
these instruments.
- Archlute: Lesson 1
- Archlute: Lesson 2
- Archlute: Lesson 3
- Archlute: Lesson 4
- Archlute: Lesson 5
[edit] Questions? Comments?
If you have a question about anything in these lessons or do not understand some of this material in
these lessons please feel free to contact me, Pomerane
