We-ell, not exactly. The pinkie-on-the-soundboard thing is legitimate renaissance lute technique. It's described in treatises dating all the way back to the 16th century. I once had an opportunity to play Jakob Lindberg’s Rauolf lute that dates back to 1590, and sure enough, there was the mark on the soundboard that bears the imprint of 400 years worth of pinkies! You’ll also notice that some early 19th-century guitars have a resting place glued on to the top for the player’s pinkie. Plus, I certainly wouldn’t say that Merle Travis finger style playing was developed by players with inadequate right hand techniques. Not to mention bluegrass banjo players…
DR On Jul 28, 2014, at 12:57 PM, Tobiah <t...@tobiah.org> wrote: > On 07/27/2014 01:51 PM, Herbert Ward wrote: >> I've worn a spot on the soundboard with my RH pinkie. >> The bare wood is starting to show through the finish. >> Should I do anything? > > I'm more of a guitar player, but I would suggest that > this is a symptom of an undeveloped right-hand technique. > I'd go as far as to say that you are witnessing the > impression made by an appendage that has been long used > as a crutch. > > Tobiah > > > > To get on or off this list see list information at > http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/~wbc/lute-admin/index.html
