Why play a single manual harpsichord, when two is more? It is a good question, is there more essential lutiness in a niner? I think so. but that is subjective. Historically, you can argue pretty persuasively for 9, but there sure were ten course instruments as well. Also, is a good 10c better than a bad 9c, if makers have more experience with 10? I think so.
Joni Mitchell said something's lost but something's gained, which seems to be true for adding more courses, but which one is right for the music? For Dowland, I would want 7 or 9. But you can play capirola on ten. And most everything else. And there is something about a ten course.... So the answer is to buy more lutes. Just don't throw the small ones back. dt At 11:21 AM 4/2/2008, you wrote: >Thanks to everyone for their input. I've decided instead to get a >Fender Stratocaster - covers most things from Francesco to Jimi, and >costs a lot less. > >Jean-Marie - I used to have an 8c (seems like a thousand years ago) >on which (at the advice of Jacob Lindberg) I swaped the bottom two >courses around. I just never felt happy with it, and soon sold it. >Everyone is different, thankfully. > >9c - why play a 9 when a 10 opens up so much more? So, Anthony, I >will not be phoning Matt Wadsworth who has a 9c Gottlieb for sale >(I'm sure it will be a great buy for somebody). > >It has been interesting thinking out loud on this list. Lots of good >experience here to draw on. Much appreciated. I seem to be >experiencing my own renaissance as a lute player. By the end of this >year I'll have an 11c, a theorbo and a 7c (or 10c!). That should >keep me busy enough! > >Rob > > To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
