I have played lutes of all kinds since 1966, (and guitar for 9 years
prior) and I must say I have NEVER heard of such practices! The only
thing remotely connected that comes to my mind is something Besard wrote
(English translation in the "Varietie...") about some students
"anointing their fingers with Oyle of Tartar..." but for increasing
joint flexibility, nothing to do with touch. Nigel North had been in the
habit of stalking his students with a fine emery board, grabbing their
right hands smoothing out coarse fingertips. He jumped me in this
fashion once about 15 years ago at a SFEMS or LSA seminar.
'some do nothing and play with dry fingers.' -That's my group!
-Dan
On 12/23/2015 6:47 PM, LSA Lute Rental Program wrote:
Every month I try to send all the renters of Lute Society of America
lutes a little info on some topic. The one I am doing a bit of
research on now is the practice of wetting right hand thumb, index, and
middle fingers before playing the lute.
I am sure this has been a past topic and am sure there are lots of
opinions out there about this. That is, actually, why I am asking for
your thoughts. Some lutenists "fog" their fingers, some wet them,
some wet them and rub their fingers against their nose to collect oil,
some use lotion or mineral oil or Vaseline, some do other things, some
do nothing and play with dry fingers.
Can you offer me any history about any of these practices, any
information, pros/cons, advantages/disadvantages, issues of string type
(gut, Nylgut, nylon, etc.)? I am not taking a position on the
issue...I am just gathering information and whatever you can share is
appreciated.
Thanks,
Michael Grant
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