Hi James:
When I was in school I got to play Orpharion on a number of occasions. =
It is an interesting instrument but it still is not a Lute. It was =
enjoyable to play though it tended to rattle if not played correctly.
Again, I get the impression you doubt what I am saying about J.Bream. =
Well there you have it, I shared what he said. How is it possible. It =
is to an extent, my nails sometimes grow real fast and I find myself =
having to adjust my technique a little at the times this happens and I =
may be too lazy to take care of the problem. However, it does make you =
keep your finger attack correct. Incidentally, Mr. Bream played with =
the thumb out as on a Guitar and he (as I remember) did not anchor the =
pinky of the right hand.
Vance Wood.
----- Original Message -----=20
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] ; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2003 7:44 PM
Subject: Re: lute vs.guitar/how to convert guitarist?/orpharion =
anyone?
Hi Vance,
Thanks for your reply, you make some good points. I agree French =
tablature is easy to read once you get used to it, and the bowl of the =
lute body is no doubt essential to producing the wonderful, unique sound =
of the lute. I prefer baroque guitars with vaulted-backs for that =
reason also. You're right, nails can definitely be as problem. =
Fortunately the guitar sounds better with short nails, I think, so maybe =
there's a somewhat happy medium for those who want to play lute and =
guitar. Putting the right hand little finger on the soundboard can help =
the guitarist keep the nail away from the string.
There is a precedent for a flat-backed instrument, contemporary with =
the lute, in late 16th and early 17th cent. England, however. The =
orpharion was quite popular and could play any of the lute repertoire, =
as it was tuned the same. William Barley and Thomas Robinson both =
published books in which the orpharion was given equal billing with the =
lute. Not only did it have a flat back, but had wire strings and metal =
frets. The English Lute Society publishes a booklet written by Donald =
Gill that talks in detail about the orpharion and bandora (another wire =
strung, flat back). Stephen Barber and Lyn Elder are two luthiers who =
offer this instrument in their catalogues: =
www.lutesandguitars.co.uk/htm/cat05.htm
and lynelder.com/wire.html. Paul O'Dette plays a couple of pieces on =
one on his complete works CD of Dowland. I think it sounds pretty cool; =
anybody out there play one of these things?
I heard Bream play in the 70's also, and his lute sounded quite =
'naily'. Maybe when you saw him was using fake nails for the guitar and =
took them off during intermission? Or maybe he's part cat and has =
retractable claws. :)
Sincerely,
James Edwards
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