Dear All:
One thing to bear in mind when looking at 16th-century portrayals of
lutenists is the character of the lutes and their necks. If the neck is
narrow, as on a five- or six-course lute, with an "elliptical" shape, the
neck naturally settles in the "V" between the thumb and forefinger. For
that reason the tip of the thumb naturally protrudes. This is a very
comfortable position for a four- or five-course plectrum lute, citole,
gittern, or guitar. I don't see any basis for a claim that such portrayals
are evidence of the use of the thumb to stop bass notes.
As strings were added and lute's neck became wider and flatter, the
left-hand position changed by necessity.
Cheers,
Jim
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