> And what is the current practice when playing with a meantone keyboard?
Mean-tone, in all its different shades, is no problem (with or without a tastini or two), but unequal temperaments like Werckmeister (Jägermeister) can be a bit of a head ache. If it is really critical (recording or very exposed in concerts) I prefer a theorbo, as there are more alternatives for a given note. (Arch)lute can be really troublesome with too many 'no-go areas'. Tastini help, but do not always solve all problems. If it is less critical I often tune equal temperament and see by trial and error what I really have to avoid. Fretting equal, tuning string by string to the keyboard and adjust the frets just a little, after that tune some strings a little away from the keyboard (more back towards equal) can give workable compromises, too. I think the point to take care of is to have a lute that sounds in tune in itself, whether it perfectly matches the (un)equal temperament of the keyboard or not. This may sound obvious, but it is not always. Trying to match unequal temperaments can end you up with strings that match the keyboard, many fretted notes that match with the keyboard, too, but with an unworkable lute because almost every chord you want to play has false notes in it. Then I opt for a lute more in tune with itself, and less with the keyboard. David To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
