Oh I don't know Stewart, My 8 course ren is from EMS and I'm quite happy with it, but you are right you get what you pay for. A couple of years back I paid £3000 for a Gibson Les Paul, but I have been playing guitar for nearly 40 years. How much Lute would 3 grand buy?.
No point in paying a kings ransom for an instrument if you lose interest in it. Best Regards Neil -----Original Message----- From: Stewart McCoy [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 18 September 2008 21:32 To: Lute Net Subject: [LUTE] New to the lute Dear Duffy, You ask about inexpensive lutes, such as those by EMS, which are indeed very cheap. Like so many things in this world, you get what you pay for. I would advise buying the best lute you can afford, and not one where you have to make adjustments to make it playable. It is better to ask a teacher for advice, than buy something on your own before going for lessons. As far as choosing between a renaissance and baroque lute is concerned, you should consider the music you want to play. If the answer is both renaissance and baroque music, I would start with a renaissance lute, because that instrument is closer to your familiar guitar. Guitar chord shapes are the same on the renaissance lute, but one string lower. If you bought a baroque lute, having to cope with lots of strings, an unfamiliar (D minor) tuning, and difficult music, might put you off. Lute players in the past played without nails, although we know there were some who played with nails. If you play with nails, you tend to catch just one string of each pair, which is unsatisfactory. Playing with nails works well with a single-strung theorbo, just as it does on the modern guitar. If your instrument has strings in pairs, it is better to play without nails, because you are more likely then to strike both strings of a course. Watching a good player should convince you. Good luck with it all. If you have more questions, this is the place to ask. Best wishes, Stewart McCoy. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: 18 September 2008 16:34 To: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu Subject: [LUTE] new to the lute Greetings to everyone, I've only joined this list a week or so ago and finally have worked up the nerve to ask a few questions as a potential beginner. I play classical guitar at an intermediate level, although I have been drawn to the lute for many years. And while I am thankful for the renaissance and baroque lute repertoire which has been transcribed for the guitar, I hunger for the opportunity to play them on their original instruments. Cost, finding a suitable teacher, and the thought of cutting my nails are all reasons I have not taken the plunge before now. My hope is that you might help me with a few questions. First, I am torn between the Renaissance and the Baroque, making it hard for me to narrow down my search for an appropriate lute (probably 8 course renaissance or 13 course baroque.) As I am disabled and live on a fixed income, cost seems to to be pushing me toward the 8 course. I'm sure others have struggled with this question and I am curious about your suggestions for a first lute. Next I wanted to ask about the inexpensive EMS lutes. Are they playable instruments and what do they sound like? I know they have nylon frets (not preferable), but that could be changed in time I suppose. I also wonder if anyone has purchased a baroque lute from Rob Dorsey at Lutecraft.com and what is your opinion. They seem to be quite inexpensive compared to other Baroque instruments. Also, about the nail question. Are there those of you who play both the guitar and the lute? I have found that I can keep my nails relatively short when I play the guitar to good effect if I slightly change my angle of attach. Finally, I am considering moving to the Asheville, NC area. Does anyone know of good teachers in that area? Greetings once again! Duffy ____________________________________________________________ Get educated. Click here for Adult Education programs. http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL2131/fc/Ioyw6iifm9SxcKCBOUH3a5vqfTY4 ymGzelOtOOvMHA5LSPIF3P6dpt/ To get on or off this list see list information at http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
