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YouTube

The 10 Questions Everyone Asks About My 6-Foot, 14-String Lute

Brandon Acker via YouTube

Overview

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Explore the fascinating world of the theorbo, a 6-foot, 14-string historical lute, through answers to the ten most frequently asked questions about this remarkable Baroque-era instrument. Learn about the theorbo's unique string configuration and tuning system, discover why its extraordinary size was essential for its musical function in 17th-century ensembles, and understand the practical challenges of transporting such a large instrument. Examine the instrument's historical origins and age, find out where modern players can acquire a theorbo, and understand the learning process for mastering this specialized plucked string instrument. Investigate the unique fret spacing system that differs from modern guitars, assess the difficulty level for potential players, and gain insights into the playing techniques specific to the theorbo's extended bass strings. The video concludes with educational resources for further study and a live performance demonstration showcasing the instrument's distinctive sound and capabilities in its proper musical context.

Syllabus

0:00 Intro
0:21 #1 How many strings?
1:09 #2 How is it tuned?
3:25 #3 Why aren't you playing the top strings?
4:21 #4 Why is it so big?
6:12 #5 How do you transport it?
7:34 #6 Is it really 400 years old?
8:05 #7 Where can I buy one?
8:36 #8 How did you learn to play it?
9:22 #9 Why are the frets spaced strangely?
10:07 #10 Is it difficult to play?
11:08 Educational resources
11:45 Theorbo performance

Taught by

Brandon Acker

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