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  1. Lute - Wikipedia

    • A lute is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted. More specifically, the term "lute" commonly refers to an instrument from the family of European lutes which were themselves influenced by Indian short-necked lutes in Gandh… See more

    History and evolution of the lute

    Curt Sachs defined lute in the terminology section of The History of Musical Instruments as "composed of a body, … See more

    Etymology

    The words lute and oud possibly derive from Arabic al-ʿoud (العود - literally means "the wood"). It may refer to the wooden plectrum traditionally used for playing the oud, to the thin strips of wood used for the back, or to … See more

    ClassificationString instrument (plucked)
    DevelopedClassical antiquity (early lutes) · Middle Ages (modern lutes)
     A Historical String Instrument
    A Historical String Instrument
    What is a lute and how did it evolve over time? A lute is a stringed instrument with a pear-shaped body and a fretted neck. It was popular in Europe from the Middle Ages to the Baroque era.
    Construction

    Lutes are made almost entirely of wood. The soundboard is a teardrop-shaped thin flat plate of resonant wood (typically spruce). In all lutes the soundboard has a single (sometimes triple) decorated sound hole under the s… See more

    Lute in the modern world

    The lute enjoyed a revival with the awakening of interest in historical music around 1900 and throughout the century. That revival was further boosted by the early music movement in the twentieth century. Im… See more

    Repertoire

    Lutes were in widespread use in Europe at least since the 13th century, and documents mention numerous early performers and composers. However, the earliest surviving lute music dates from the late 15th ce… See more

    20th century revival and composers

    The revival of lute-playing in the 20th century has its roots in the pioneering work of Arnold Dolmetsch (1858–1940); whose research into early music and instruments started the movement for authenticity. The revival of th… See more

    Tuning conventions

    Lutes were made in a large variety of sizes, with varying numbers of strings/courses, and with no permanent standard for tuning. However, the following seems to have been generally true of the Renaissance lute.
    A 6-course … See more

     
  1. Lute | Musical Instrument & History of the Stringed …

    Oct 3, 2024 · Lute, in music, any plucked or bowed chordophone whose strings are parallel to its belly, or soundboard, and run along a distinct neck or pole. In …

  2. What is a Lute? - Lute Society of America

  3. History of lute-family instruments - Wikipedia

  4. The Lute | Essay - Essay | The Metropolitan Museum of …

    The lute saw a resurgence in popularity with the early music movement of the late twentieth century. Today, lute players and makers approach the lute and its music from an academic standpoint, and lute making is a cottage industry throughout …

  5. Lute 101 with Nigel North - YouTube

  6. About the Lute

    Learn about the origins, development and decline of the lute, a versatile and popular musical instrument in the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Discover the different types, tunings and styles of lute music, and how to revive this …

  7. lute summary | Britannica

    lute, Plucked stringed instrument popular in 16th–17th-century Europe. It originated from the Arab ʿūd , which reached Europe in the 13th century. Like the ʿūd , the lute has a deep pear-shaped body with an ornamental soundhole, a …

  8. Home - Lute Society of America

    Jan 14, 2024 · The Lute Society of America provides unique information, education, and other resources for the Lute and Early Music Community. Join today to start reaping the benefits of LSA membership. Learn More

  9. A guide to the lute - Classical Music

    But for a first taste of the rich world of the lute, head to the bountiful Elizabethan golden era, when the instrument was in its heyday. John Johnson (1545-94), one of three royal lutenists, turned dances of the time – pavans, galliards, almains …