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. 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. Lutes are fascinating string instruments with a rich history
Discover what a lute instrument is and explore the world of lutes today.
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