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What kind of wood are lutes made of?
spruce
The top of the lute, the soundboard or belly, is crucial in determining the the sound of the instrument. It is made of spruce, a resonant wood which is also used for the violin family and the guitar.
How was the lute constructed?
The Renaissance lute typically had a body constructed of nine to thirteen ribs, mostly made of maple, and a single carved rosette (with an intricate geometric design—most of the examples show a “knot” or star pattern; see Rizzi 1984).
What is a lute substance?
Lute (from Latin Lutum, meaning mud, clay etc.) was a substance used to seal and affix apparatus employed in chemistry and alchemy, and to protect component vessels against heat damage by fire; it was also used to line furnaces. Lutation was thus the act of “cementing vessels with lute”.
What makes a lute a lute?
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 this sense, instruments such as the Indian sitar are classified as lutes.
Why must a lute be strung lightly?
“Because of the low tension of the string and the thickness of the soundboard, you have a quick attack and decay on the lute. The lute doesn’t sustain as much on the guitar, which is a great benefit when you’re playing fast music.
How many frets does a lute have?
The lute is plucked or strummed with one hand while the other hand “frets” (presses down) the strings on the neck’s fingerboard….Lute.
| Hornbostel–Sachs classification | 321 (Composite chordophone sounded by the bare fingers) |
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What material is a lute string made of?
These can be made of nylon, but more generally of gut, tied around the neck of the lute, they can be single or double; lute string suppliers and dealers will generally supply material for frets too. The gauge required will relate to the height of the nut and of the bridge, and other dimensions of the instrument.
What should I look for when building a lute?
Beware of books and plans which allow a lute to have metal frets, use guitar strings, use violin pegs or tuning machines, use different wood for the soundboard, or make very heavy lutes after Hermann Hauser. Most lute players prefer historical instruments – this is what gives the lute as a woodwork project an extra dimension.
What are the dimensions of a lute?
These are all explained in more detail below. The string band (width across all the strings) at the nut should be around 40mm for a six-course lute, 47mm for a seven-course lute and 55mm for an eight-course lute. The spacing of course centres will be about 7.5mm and the spacing within a course will be about 2-2.5mm.
What gauge do I need for my Lute?
The gauge required will relate to the height of the nut and of the bridge, and other dimensions of the instrument. Ideally lutes should be supplied with a schedule of fret and string gauges which you should keep in the case, or in a safe place.