A baroque lute is a European lute that was made between 1600 and 1750 during the Baroque era. A lute is a stringed instrument with a deep rounded back that is similar to a guitar and is played in the same way. It was widely used in Baroque music, particularly in ballads and songs. It was frequently accompanied harpsichord and cello music, but it could also be performed a solo singer. Its one-of-a-kind design made it a musically versatile instrument with a wide range.
The lute is almost certainly an Arabic instrument. Its name comes from the Arabic word “al ‘ud,” which means “wooden one.” The lute arrived in Europe sometime during the Early Middle Ages. The addition of 14 pairs of bass strings, eight of which are on the lute’s neck and five of which are on the “swan,” a second slanted peg box at the top of the neck, transformed the Arabic lute.
Finely planed spruce was used to make the sound board of the baroque lute, which contains the opening from which the sound emanates. It was then glued to the instrument’s body, which was roughly in the shape of a halved pear. The lute’s sounds were produced an elaborate geometric pattern called a “rose” carved into the sound board. Like modern string instruments, the lute’s strings were wrapped around tapered pegs that could be twisted to control the pitch of each string.
The music of the Baroque period was extremely ornate. The term “baroque” comes from a Portuguese expression that means “irregularly shaped pearl.” Composers adhered to the belief that music should express the creator’s emotions. During this time, Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi composed his famous “Four Seasons.”
Moderno, or modern, was a term used composers of the time to describe their work. This was done to set it apart from earlier Renaissance music, which was considered stiff and emotionless. Exuberance and deeply personal emotions characterized Baroque music. It was also known for its use of “counterpoint,” which involves playing two or more melodies at the same time, and “bass continuo,” which involves playing the cello and harpsichord together. Johann Sebastian Bach and Silvius Leopold Weiss, both German composers, composed pieces for the baroque lute.
The five-string baroque guitar eventually surpassed the lute in popularity and use. The baroque lute, on the other hand, continues to pique people’s interest. There are societies dedicated to its history and use in the United States and Europe. Many courses on how to make and play the instrument are available.