It may be either fretted or unfretted. The lute is a stringed musical instrument plucked with the fingers or a plectrum (pick). Lute, in music, any plucked or bowed chordophone whose strings are parallel to its belly, or soundboard, and run along a distinct neck or pole In this sense, instruments such as the indian sitar are classified as lutes. Discover the fascinating origin of the lute instrument and its journey through time Explore ancient lutes legacy now.
Lutes typically have a hollow body, or resonating chamber, that helps amplify the sound, and strings that are plucked or strummed. This instrument has played a pivotal role in the evolution of western music, renowned both for its expressive capabilities and its varied tonal qualities. The lute derives its name, as well as its distinctive shape, from the arabic 'ud, an instrument which is vey much at the heart of arabic musical life to this day. There are several common types of lutes, each with unique characteristics that define their sound and construction The most recognizable type is the renaissance lute, which typically features a rounded back, a fretted neck, and a varying number of strings. Lutes are stringed musical instruments that include a body and a neck which serves both as a handle and as a means of stretching the strings beyond the body
OPEN
