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Guitar chord forum - chordie → Chordie's Chat Corner → Theorbo (monster bass lute)
I recently encountered this marvelous instrument and wanted to share this video.
I am fascinated by the instrument and in awe of the performer's mastery.
I want one . . . but I don't think there are any in stock at my local music shop.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6UKk5shfIA&NR=1
thats a beautiful piece of music there, it would take me two lifetimes to learn to play that bad boy, how many strings does it have, the bass strings look as though they are outside the fret board.
weedjie, you are correct - the bass strings are next to but not on the fretboard. Each bass string is tuned to the appropriate tone and then plucked with the thumb as needed to voice the bass line. Being so long, they create a lovely, rich, and sustained tone.
The theorbo in the video has single-strings on the fretboard. From what I have read, some theorbos have (or had) double-strings (or courses) on the fretboard - which is actually more typical of regular lutes (just like mandolins with pairs of strings).
Here is some background info:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theorbo
I always thought a bass lute was a bazouki. Live and learn. Thanks for sharing.
- Zurf
Guitar chord forum - chordie → Chordie's Chat Corner → Theorbo (monster bass lute)
