Right Hand Lute Technique in the Sixteenth Century, a Lecture Recital, Together with Three Recitals of Selected Works of F. Moreno-Torroba, J. Dowland, J.S. Bach, P. Attaignant, V. Capirola, and Others Page: 15
View a full description of this thesis or dissertation.
Extracted Text
The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
15
before your thumb, that is, houlding
down your thumb behind your fingers
It is significant that both Iselin and Waissel mention speed
as an important function of lute playing, and that they be-
lieve thumb-under technique to be an important resource for
its acquisition.
The practice of playing the lute thumb-under was preva-
lent everywhere in Europe with the exception of Spain, where
the vihuela was played thumb-out. The only mention of thumb-
under technique in a Spanish source is in Henestrosa's Libro
in cifra nueva of 1557:
. . . there are four ways to make
diminutions: one with the index
finger of the right hand, which is
called redoblar de dedillo [with
the index finger going back and
forth across the string], the sec-
ond is the Castilian style, in
which the thumb crosses over the
index finger; the third way is the
foreign style [figueta estranjera],
which is the opposite, bending the
index finger over the thumb; the
fourth is with the index and middle
fingers . . . .20
In practice, the forearm, wrist, and hand tend to move
up and down when alternating thumb and index strokes--a move-
ment that would also carry a plectrum quite quickly. The
thumb, being shorter than the fingers, goes under them when
'9Thomas Robinson, The Schoole of Musicke (London, 1603),
2nd reprint ed. (Amsterdam: Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, Ltd.,
1975), fol. Bii.
20Beier, op. cit., 14, translated by Peter Danner.
Upcoming Pages
Here’s what’s next.
Search Inside
This document can be searched. Note: Results may vary based on the legibility of text within the document.
Tools / Downloads
Get a copy of this page or view the extracted text.
Citing and Sharing
Basic information for referencing this web page. We also provide extended guidance on usage rights, references, copying or embedding.
Reference the current page of this Thesis Or Dissertation.
Craddock, Michael Duane. Right Hand Lute Technique in the Sixteenth Century, a Lecture Recital, Together with Three Recitals of Selected Works of F. Moreno-Torroba, J. Dowland, J.S. Bach, P. Attaignant, V. Capirola, and Others, thesis or dissertation, December 1983; Denton, Texas. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc798092/m1/24/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; .