I'm wondering how many of the early publications for a 'theorbo' (various
spellings) or chitarrone were actually for large 10c bass lutes with
re-entrant tunings?
I wonder about this too! As far as I know, Kapsberger's Libro primo for
chitarrone is for a 10-course instrument.
You can find an answer at p. 42 and 43 of my work.
Kapsberger's Libro primo is for a 11-course instrument.
However, it's interesting the use in the toccata VI (p.14, 7th line of the
page, 4th bar) of a small number 14 for the 14th string.
From the music, it's clear that it's not a bass G, but a high g sharp (a
semiton higher than the 7th).
If the use of a 14th string as an f sharp is not so uncommon in archlutes,
is the only occurence I know in theorbo music.
Two other considerations are obviouse: no italian theorbo music (except
Bartolotti, not really italian in his style) asks for a fretted 7th course
(Bartolotti needs 7th and 8th) and the most of survived instruments are for
6+8 courses.
Also if Kapsperger asks for a 14th course why doesn't he use 12th and 13th?
Diego
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