David,
> > easier to find all those low strings with my
> thumb,
>
> But with only using i and m it is possible to keep
> the little finger on the
> soundboard, making finding basses easier again.
>
> David
Yes, in theory, and this is what everyone told me
when I started theorbo directly from lute. Of course,
in playing lute thumb-under, I was already accostumed
to planting the pinky. However, my first theorbo was
an absolutely massive instrument (shameless plug: its
currently for sale on Wayne's lute page) and coming in
with my lute technique made it impossible to reach the
lower strings. With no experience with theorbo and no
one to show me, I simply played it like a modern
classical guitar. Although I later was able to adapt
the playing angle in order to acheive a better tone,
(the diapasons sounded fantastic) I was never able to
plant that pinky. Since then, I've noticed quite a
few period pictures that show the no-plant right hand.
On my new theorbo, with pinky down and fairly good
tone, I find myself totally insecure with the
diapasons, although I have practiced this aspect
religiously for months. If I play it without the
pinky down, I have very little trouble hitting the
basses. I'd play it this way, but no-pinky-down
sounds horrible on this instrument.
Chris
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