minstrel: Fw: Info on Lutes

[Anne deVere of Brittany]

>> Insomuch as they exist. As I said earlier, the reasonably-priced
>> instrument for learning lute is a classical guitar.    
>
>Hmmm.  I suspect that is not the case.  The lute is a more than
>one-string-per-course instrument, right?  My (limited) understanding
>is that it is beneficial to learn on an instrument with more than one
>string per course, if that is your end goal.
>
>Has anyone found a reputable source for Ouds?  That would be the
>*period* solution to the problem. ;)
>
>-- Tibicen

Well, I have to go with the classical guitar suggestion. I have had a number
of lutenists remind me that the Oud is NOT a lute, and the tabulature is
different. The oud is a middle eastern instrument, and is not suitable for
learning Renaissance music. There are only four courses on an oud, whereas a
lute will have 7-8 (Renaissance style. Baroques have 13-14 courses.)

The tab for classical guitar is similar to lute, and although a guitar is
not double stringed, the fingering is closer to a lute. Besides, a basic
guitar will cost under $100 and an oud costs about $300-$400. 

Yes, a lute will cost in the range of $1,000. I said earlier that I was
going to try out the Lark in the Morning $500 lute, but the people in the
No. Cal lutenist groups advised against it. The lute Lark offers is probably
made in India or Pakistan, even though it is imported by a US company. Also
the soundboard is pine, not spruce, a significant determination of sound.
FYI, the No. Cal folks refer to the store as "Shark in the Morning".

If people are looking for a lute, email me directly and I'll see what I can
dig up.

A source for Ouds is McCabe's Music in Santa Monica, CA 310 area code, but
remember an oud is NOT a lute.

In service to the muse,

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


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