View source for Lute

The [[lute]] is a fretted instrument of [[Arab]]ic origin that achieved immense popularity in the [[15th Century|15th]] and [[16th Century|16th centuries]].

===The instrument===

The defining features of a lute are its pear shaped back and its peg box bent back at ninety degrees from the neck. The frets were created by tying lengths of gut around the neck. Most later lutes had a single sound hole, but these were ornately carved and called a ''rose''.

===History===

The lute was descended from the Arabic instrument called the ''ud'' or ''al'ud''.

===Playing Styles===

The lute seems to have been a melodic instrument up until the end of the [[15th century|fifteenth century]], played with a plectrum.

During the [[16th century]] its polyphonic capabilities were more fully explored, and it became more common to play with the fingers.

===Musicians and Composers===

* [[Thomas Campion]]
* [[John Dowland]]

== External Links ==
* [http://moas.atlantia.sca.org/wsnlinks/index.php?action=displaycat&catid=411 Atlantian A&S Links: Lute]

[[Category:Musical instruments]]