Why Is The Lute Important In The Renaissance

The lute, the most prolific instrument during the 16th century, was “in almost universal use in western Europe” because it was treasured for its ability to arouse emotions through its “expressive and finely shaded tone”. Since the lute was so prolific during the Renaissance period “it is one of the first instruments for which we find any large quantity of written music” in which polyphonic singing and secular songs as well as dances were merged together. The lute, because it was so prolific, was one of the main instruments to help music evolve during the Renaissance period. It helped bring about vertical harmony, and the influence that the lute dance suites had on later keyboard suites is clearly seen . However, none of this would have been …show more content…
There are six standard courses called by their English names the treble, small mean, great mean, counter-tenor, tenor, and bass. “There may be up to eight additional strings called bass courses or diapasons, which are usually arranged in a diatonic scale below the sixth course.” Like all stringed instruments during the Renaissance period the strings were made of dried gut and because of this the highest string, which had to be made of the thinnest gut, was “notorious” for breaking when played and thus a good treble string was highly prized. The basic playing action is similar to how a guitar is played. The left hand creates different pitches while the right hand plucks or strikes the strings with the thumb. The index and middle finger of the right hand can also pluck strings. One of the most stressed techniques is that a note should be held as long as physically possible, meaning that the left hand should not move until absolutely necessary. Some “old writers stressed that both stopping and striking should be performed with the minimum movement of the hands and