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Johann Camman Lutebook D-BS Ms. StbC29(2)

by Melody Packard | Nov 11, 2024

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Keeping the lute and its music alive!

Over the weekend of September 26/27, our local cha

Over the weekend of September 26/27, our local chapter leader organized and managed a medieval music workshop and concert with the Santa Fe ensemble “Severall Friends,” consisting of Mark Rimple (lute and gittern), Mary Springfels, viola d’arco, Christa Patton, harp, and Sian Ricketts, recorders, douçaine, and voice. This event was presented through Capitol Early Music, and took place at Saint George’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Virginia. The workshop ran all day Saturday and the concert was on Sunday afternoon.

We had four mixed ensembles throughout the day on Saturday, each ensemble being coached in turn by the above performers. The four ensembles had at least one lute in each, plus a variety of other instruments such as harps, douçines, viols, Medieval flute, recorders etc. (This was typical of the medieval era.) The lutes doubled the other instruments on the tenor and contratenor lines of what was mostly three-part music by Guillaume de Machaut, Johannes Ciconia, and Guillaume Dufay.

Although not every lute player in the area was adventurous enough to try playing such unfamiliar music in a mixed ensemble setting, we did have a good enough turnout for the lutes to make an indispensable contribution in every class. One obstacle that we had to overcome was the dependence of more than a few amateur lute players on tablature as opposed to playing from modern scores. (Let alone early notation!) So we made tablature parts that permitted those lute players to fully participate. Early on it became clear that medieval lutes, with plectrums, played single lines rather than multi-voice parts as in Renaissance music, navigating often quite challenging rhythmic patterns.

- Michael Stover

We are thrilled to hear about this amazing chapter experience! We hope it encourages more lute and instrument players to join a local chapter. There might be one right near you!

Click the link to our website to find a list of available chapters across different states. (If you’re on Instagram, you can access the link via our bio)

#lute #earlymusic #communityevents #medievalmusic #renaissancemusic

Have you ever wondered if you can play Renaissance

Have you ever wondered if you can play Renaissance lute music on a guitar? Or perhaps you are in a city where the lute isn't common, but you still hear that lute call in your head? You are not alone—many of us started by simply changing the third-string tuning of a classical guitar and playing some Da Milano or some simple Bergamascas. Reading lute tablature can be easier than you think, especially if you already read modern guitar tablature!

We want to invite all our guitar players to give it a try! In the educational hub, we have a number of videos and learning materials to help you get started with lute music, even if you don't have a lute yet.

Check out our resources today, or share this post with a friend who is interested in playing lute music!

Image taken from Vicenzo Capriola Lute book, page 38 of the IMSLP digital version.

(For instagram followers, find the link in our bio)

Pluck Lot's next online social will be held on Oct

Pluck Lot's next online social will be held on October 17, 2026.

Your educational and entertaining Online social continues this October 2026, featuring exciting Renaissance Guitar and Cuatro celebrities. SaSa hosts a pot luck for pluckers, with a variety of content and an opportunity to network..

SaSa Sounds's Pluck Lot is a Recipient of a 2026 Early Music America Engagement

Find the link to the Pluck Lot in our Linktree if you are on Instagram, or in the comments if you are on Facebook.

Can't wait until October? Find more Pluck Lot editions at:
https://www.youtube.com/@PluckLot

Last chance to join SaSa for this amazing performa

Last chance to join SaSa for this amazing performance! Check it out if you’re near the North Carolina Museum!

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