minstrel: Lute Information

[Anne deVere of Brittany]

Dear Bryan,

Greetings from Anne deVere of Brittany. I've recently decided to learn the
lute, and here are some of my findings. I hope they do you good.

First, check out the home page for the Lute Society of America at:
http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lsa/lsa.html
They have a link to Wayne's Lute Page, local lute conventions, and lute
related stuff. Wayne Cripps is a lutenist at Dartmouth, and he has a number
of connections for the east coast mentioned on his sight.

Secondly, I'm investigating the $500.00 lute at Lark In The Morning, and
I'll post my inpressions. In general a lute is expensive. It's a rare
instrument, and luthiers need to keep their shops running. Also, many
luthiers have a long waiting list (1-2 years) for new orders. You can expect
to pay between $1,000 and $4,500 for a quality lute. I can guide you to a
good manufacturer when you're ready to make a purchase.

As mentioned you can start with a classical guitar until you've saved enough
$$$ to afford a lute. Many modern lutenists began with classical guitar, and
in some cases the tabulature is similar.

As far as teachers, check with the Lute Society or the guitar programs at
major universities. If you let me know where you live, I'll try to find
someone in your area. I'm in the Barony of Gyldenholt which is in Caid (AKA
Orange Co. CA), and I don't know where the Barony of Black Diamond is.

Let me know if you have any other questions, and if others enamored of
learning the lute are reading this and need help, feel free to contact me.

In service to the muse,

Anne deVere of Brittany
http://www.goddess.com/anne.htm


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