Dear Martin,
We've discussed this business of different sizes of lutes before and I
very much agree with your observations, both about becoming used to a
particular size and also that much of the repertoire can be played
comfortably on larger lutes.
I think what also needs to come out is that the iconographic evidence
(especially from the 16th/early 17th century) shows a wide variety of
lute sizes (and shapes) and that certain repertoires seem to suggest
bigger lutes. So, for example, I find much of the earlier 16th century
works by Milano, Rippe et al can generally comfortably be played on
larger instruments, say string length in low 70s cm (as indeed often
shown in contemporary paintings/engravings), whereas some repertoire
from around the turn of the century seems to demand smaller
instruments. In short, the evidence is that in this period there was no
one general purpose size - it depended on time and place (and
composer).
Martyn
--- On Tue, 1/2/11, Martin Shepherd <mar...@luteshop.co.uk> wrote:
From: Martin Shepherd <mar...@luteshop.co.uk>
Subject: [LUTE] Re: new piece of the month
To: "Daniel Winheld" <dwinh...@comcast.net>
Cc: lute@cs.dartmouth.edu
Date: Tuesday, 1 February, 2011, 10:01
Thanks for your comments, Dan. Just a few random thoughts of my own:
The business of different sizes of lute is interesting. One thing is
clear - you get used to whatever you are playing at the moment, and
when you change to a different lute (shorter or longer) it seems
strange at first.
Just for the record (Ed), guitar fingerboards are not narrower - a
standard size classical guitar has about the same string band (across
six single strings) as an 8c lute. The spacing of courses on the lute
is much the same as on steel string or electric guitars, quite narrow.
People often say they couldn't possibly play a lute bigger than about
60cm because of the stretches. People's hands differ, maybe I'm lucky
but I have quite small hands and can still play that Ab chord
(f1-b2-d4-b6) on a 67cm lute. A few years ago I made a 76cm lute for
Mark Wheeler and apart from the amazing power of it, I was delighted to
find that playing most solos on it was no problem for me (or for him).
Smaller lutes might make some stretches easier but they have some
problems of their own - as Thomas says, the "sweet spot" is quite
narrow and in general I always feel more precision is required. Some
time ago Sean Smith reminded me of another factor, that as you go
higher up the fingerboard and frets can get uncomfortably close
together - a problem which disappears on a bigger lute. I have a
53.5cm lute which I have always loved, but I have to get in training to
play it.
The 67cm lutes are excellent for accompanying singers as well - more
depth of sound, power and flexibility.
Dan, there are two of my C36 9c lutes for sale at the moment - one
being advertised by Gordon Gregory, the other not yet advertised
because I'm going to lower the action slightly (this is the striped yew
one on my website).
Best to All,
Martin
On 01/02/2011 00:44, Daniel Winheld wrote:
> Awesome indeed- Martin's got the best one-stop operation for
> everything lute anywhere.
>
> 67 cm. for a Renaissance lute ought to be a fine size. I owned a
> 72cm. 8 course "Division Bass" lute in E (A fluctuating between 415
> and 430) for years- the acid test for my left hand was the F chord (A
> flat on a "G" lute), first fret barre, little finger stopping "a",
> first course 5th fret. I could manage it; but a physically tiresome
> size in the long run, and really the pitch level was just about 1/2
> step too low for many pieces to sound their best. Not the best first
> choice for one's primary, work horse Renaissance lute.
>
> But the sound itself was wonderful- full, sonorous, plenty of sustain
> with all gut stringing, a narrow Maler-sh body, from the
> Barber-Harris workshop. Wish I could have afforded to keep it, but my
> present lute, a serendipitous blessing from Dan Larson, is an 8
> course Venere style body at 64 cm. - nicely threading the middle
> ground between the twitchy, short-sustain alto/small tenor lutes and
> the bigger, more forgiving but tiresome stretchy low tenor/bass
lutes.
>
> I would love to have a copy of Martin's C36 lute in 9 courses, with a
> 10 fret neck.
>
> Yes Martin, I think we all like your new lute, and the fine style
> with which you manage it. Keep up the great work; I've already
> printed out the piece. Lots of fun.
>
> best,
>
> Dan
>
>
>> I enjoyed it all; the music, the playing, and the instrument.
>> Thanks for posting.
>>
>> -Ned
>> On Jan 30, 2011, at 11:18 AM, Martin Shepherd wrote:
>>
>> Dear All,
>> With one day to go, here is January's piece of the month:
>> www.luteshop.co.uk/month/pieceofthemonth.htm
>> - played on a new all-gut strung 7c lute (67cm, after Venere C36).
>> I hope you like it.
>>
>> Best wishes,
>> Martin
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