Dear Michael,
You can find a good summary of the "rules for those who can't sing"
online at:
http://www.library.appstate.edu/music/lute/spi1507a.html
You will see that this refers to the first of Petrucci's lute books
by Francesco Spinacino, but the content of the "rules" is the same in Dalza.
In addition next to the table of contents in the Dalza book there is a short
paragraph introducing the music as being composed by
the "excellent musician and lute player Joanambrosio Dalza
of Milan," which goes on to explain that he has
"included only pieces that are easy and pleasing to beginners, avoiding
difficult pieces that satisfy only those knowledgeable in the art." (!)
You might find it helpful to know the names of the courses on
the lute in use in Dalza's time, which are:
First course = canto
Second course = sotane
third course = mezane
fourth course = tenor
fifth course = bordon
sixth course = contrabasso
So where on page 33 he introduces a "Pavana alla Ferrarese"
he adds "col contrabasso accordato ottava col tenor" i.e.
"with the sixth course an octave lower than the fourth. "
Unfortunately the introductory "rules" from the Petrucci lute books are
far from a comprehensive set of instructions for lute playing, although they
were clearly popular and were re-used in many printed lute books. We have
to piece our understanding of lute playing in the early sixteenth century
from all the sources we can find. There is helpful information, including
tuning instructions in Sebastian Virdung's "Musica Getutscht" of 1511
(translation in the Lute Society Journal 1973), and there is an excellent
translation of the instructions from the Capirola lute book by Federico
Marincola in "The Lute" (The Lute Society Journal) Volume XXIII 1983 Part 2.
My article on the Petrucci lute books & Dalza was in "Lute News"
(the Lute Society Magazine) number 73 April 2005. If you are not
a member of the Lute Society it's well worth joining. Every copy
of Lute News includes a tablature supplement in addition to articles
and information about what's happing in the lute world. In recent times
there have been several supplements with early 16th century ricercars
and dances edited by John Robinson which are very good to have if you like
this music.
Best wishes,
Denys
- Original Message -
From: "Michael Thames" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "Lute net"
Sent: Saturday, June 11, 2005 2:31 PM
Subject: Dalsa translation
> To all, but especially Denys,
> I just got the facsimile of Dalsa," Intabulatura de Lauto Libro
Quarto" editions Minkoff.
> I was wondering if anyone knows of a translation of the introduction,
and tuning instructions in English?
>
> Also Denys, what lute journal did your article on Dalsa appear in?
>
> Michael Thames
> www.ThamesClassicalGuitars.com
> --
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