Yes, it is and E a fifth above the top string is the usual tuning, and the Bach suite for 5 string cello is for this instrument. However, it is excellent for 17th century music as well, although they often used the really big cello--cellos came in two sizes. The 5 string is normally the smaller size due to the higher pitch of the top string. The large size is rare nowadays, rarer still with all gut strings. dt
.At 10:13 AM 12/4/2008, you wrote: >Dear David, > >Many thanks for your message. I fear I am straying off topic, but please >could you confirm that the 1st string is the extra string, tuned to e', >a fifth above the second string a, and that all the strings are tuned in >fifths. Is this instrument associated with Bach's cello suites, and if >so, having the extra string would presumably make the music simpler to >play. > >Best wishes, > >Stewart McCoy. > >-----Original Message----- >From: David Tayler [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Sent: 04 December 2008 16:46 >To: lute-cs.dartmouth.edu >Subject: [LUTE] Re: HD > >cello > >The 5 string cello enjoyed a wave of popularity in the baroque >period, in some countries it was more popular than the four string >version. That's an original instrument in the tideo. >dt > > > > >To get on or off this list see list information at >http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
