Introducing: The Renaissance Lute

[@brandonacker]

💥My new online guitar course is open! classicalguitar-pro.com Sign-up for lifetime access to this 6-hour course and start playing elegant classical music today!

[@440SPN]

Are the chords similar to guitar? I love it.

[@brandonacker]

@@440SPN Similar shapes, yes. But those shapes have different names. Pretty easy for a guitarist to pick one up and play though!

[@kishascape]

I wanna learn lute not guitar. We need a theorbo course expansion pack.

[@tima6044]

Of course Brandon is a master of the Lute. He's been playing it since the Renaissance.

[@eddymison3527]

5:13 His picture from the Renaissance period.

[@jakubolszewski8284]

@@eddymison3527 :0

[@mralowen]

Because he's an elf...or a vampire. I've not figured out which yet

[@jakubolszewski8284]

@@mralowen Wąpierz.

[@johnnyfivethephilosopher1086]

You beat me to it...

[@randomnobody2011]

This cat just played Sweet Home Alabama on a lute....

[@thecatwhisperer2820]

Well it's because he was there when the lute and Sweet Home Alabama were imagined and produced.

[@kristophernimchan7699]

.o. where this skies are so blue?!

[@MrCucumber416]

@@thecatwhisperer2820 "I guess you guys aren't ready for that yet, but your kids are gonna love it."

[@josephbiancorosso3179]

He's a shredder

[@1ute]

bruh

[@breearbor4275]

brandon is the bob ross of historical plucked instruments

[@cephalicwasteland3504]

So true😅🍪

[@nick.3455]

yep

[@accie.]

omg he really is. never have truer words been spoken.

[@J0HNJ0RDAN]

Crazy, I just commented that on another one of his videos. 🙂

[@EdMcF1]

Yes, he's a happy little Lutanist.

[@Lugertho]

What you do is extremely important.

[@JefesGarden]

Agreed! Thank you for explaining in such detail. I can't even play the guitar properly. ✌😊

[@xtrisaratops]

Find you a partner who looks at you the way Brandon looks at historical plucked instruments.

[@sirnicholas5542]

I can’t☹️

[@lillyneo4421]

Yep...And he plucks all of them

[@TangsTails]

lmao

[@secondvisions9759]

I live on the side of a mountain and the bears can't help much lol

[@maplehappy]

when i watch your videos i instantly become a teenage girl from 1503 who is absolutely fangirling the the bard. ive got my ankles out, and if things get real crazy, my collar bone.

[@chrisbolland5634]

Wowowow slow your roll or King Henry might get jealous

[@deathcabforcutie3889]

Tarry awhile - And thou mayest dance a Roundelay!

[@charlielucas3386]

@@chrisbolland5634 😂😆🤣

[@marietremblayartiste]

XD I love this !! I'd be the same, to be honest.

[@Eronoc13]

Hey now, don't confuse Victorian prudishness with the _much_ more relaxed Renaissance norms! This was the age of décolletage and nude swimming, don't forget.

[@floydhopkins7901]

Petition to rename the series to "What the Pluck?"

[@marinoallen2849]

all in favor say aye

[@marinoallen2849]

aye

[@menelrandir]

Aye

[@rico6546]

@@marinoallen2849 aye

[@oshi990]

😂 😂😂

[@FranktheTank319]

I checked this out not expecting to finish the whole video, but it was so informative and relaxing to listen to that I finished it without even realizing it. You have a great teaching demeanor.

[@brandonacker]

Thanks, Frank!

[@kayjackson6085]

Me too! thought I'd just listen to his playing, trying to decide between a 7 course and an 8 course "student" model.

[@Lardenoy]

Très agréable et instructif ! Bravo pour l'iconographie, toujours choisie : un peu de douceur et de poésie en ce monde de brutes ! Amitiés d'Angoulême, S.W of France 🇫🇷

[@aerextraho]

This man's voice is like a rumbling fire.

[@PrevailingFilth]

So even back in the renaissance we had djent players that were adding more and more strings to their instruments, facinating

[@defectivetoaster7713]

Nobody can resist the low end

[@Muttonchop_USA]

@@defectivetoaster7713 Tell me about it. I've dated some of those guys.

[@aarondavis5850]

Archlutes typically went down to a low F on the 14th course, the same note Meshuggah tunes their 8 string guitars to. Coincidence?

[@petesmith2837]

*Adam Neely voice* Maximum djent

[@tomdchi12]

Roberti Scanlloni was an Italian lutenist who popularized an additional lower string, and of course the French Rober de la Scanllone (known in his time as "Le Djenteur") also expanded the lower range of the instrument.

[@Siraj-h4t7x]

Brandon Acker today: Introducing the Renessiance Lute Brandon Acker 3020: Introducing the guitar Audience be like: Wow what an extraordinary instrument

[@mukelorata2100]

Wow! Brandon Acker has lived over a thousand years

[@mukelorata2100]

@Deus Vult. Doctors/surgeons used animal guts to stitch people’s skins, fleshes and organs.

[@IL_801]

If you play the lute and eat a lot of bread, are you a glutinous lutinist?

[@IL_801]

@@agnidas5816 😂

[@AslansMane88]

While sitting on your glutamus maximus, no less.

[@saskjoe1968]

Says the oud: “Lute, I am your father.”

[@kanzowerlheim5589]

@@saskjoe1968 Lute: "YEEESS"

[@Sygyt123]

And if you steal a lute during a period of civil unrest, does that make you a luter?

[@lambdaprog]

I played one of these marvelous instruments when I was in London a few years ago. It tooks a few minutes to adapt to the frets. They sound fantastic. I'm a oud player.

[@EstelonAgarwaen]

I'd be lost without frets. I'm a guitarist. Electric guitar is my homebase.

[@jayr526]

@@EstelonAgarwaenI guess the old cool hand lutenists didn't fret about it

[@charlielucas3386]

@@jayr526 😂😂🤣

[@jargonizations]

If not for Brandon I would probably never have picked up a guitar...

[@TheDrunkMunk]

Me too. I started watching his videos about 7 months ago when my city went into lockdown. Very soon after I started playing my girlfriend's steel-stringed guitar. The first piece I learnt was Greensleeves arranged for guitar from the lute. I played that guitar for months until two weeks ago I finally bought myself a nice nylon-stringed. I didn't know that this kind of repertoire existed on the guitar until I watched Brandon and that's what got me so interested in playing.

[@cranjismcbasketball919]

Nah play bass

[@jargonizations]

@@cranjismcbasketball919 I will slap that bass when I can afford one..... Epico

[@cranjismcbasketball919]

@@jargonizations I use my dads old bass

[@thewooddove2]

Same. I'm planning to pick up lute and archlute because of him... but I can't even play guitar, so, baby steps.

[@etherleo]

There's a character in every single anime that looks exactly like Brandon

[@LiveActionKimPossibleRufus]

I want Brandon to voice the audiobooks I listen too. All of them.

[@pBIggZz]

Kingkiller Chronicle.

[@caseymiller3829]

Brandon, you have such a refreshing change from the typical shred guitar youtubers. You're thorough and informative. My absolute favorite creator on the platform. Thanks for the entertaining videos man, keep it up 😊

[@brandonacker]

Nice of you to say, thank you!

[@BobThePlayer]

Splendid presentation. High charisma. Inspiring storytelling. Graceful playing. 🙏

[@brandonacker]

Thank you!

[@brianbowersox8392]

So Milano being called "Il Divino" is like "Clapton is God" ha.

[@brandonacker]

Exactly!

[@banjoboy01]

Michelangelo was often called Il Divino

[@willmorrison1022]

Kind of like Jackie Gleason being "The Great One". Well, maybe a little different.

[@callenclarke371]

Goodness. This is one of the most accomplished videos I have seen on the internet. When I watched the first minute, I thought this guy was a generalist, and didn't expect much by way of virtuosity. His tone and phrasing on the Lute is exquisite. Well done indeed.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

5:05 Plays Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd on Renaissance Lute. Perfect for a Covid19 Lock Down Jam because we can't go out on Stage.

[@ilovecats3705]

his voice is sooooooo soothing

[@EstelonAgarwaen]

Bob ross but music

[@luigidambra2523]

Brandon, thank you very much to share all this beauty. Music, instruments, history, narration, playing, pictures, etc...

[@aronung12]

You are reason why I got into the world of classical music

[@michaelkutulas8878]

Brandon's knowledge, dedication, proficiency, tone and presentation skills are second to none! Fully enjoyed this episode. Thank you!

[@fredmulson]

He's gotta be the coolest nerd on the planet

[@mrnormietron4186]

Someone: Could you describe the Habsburgs for me? Me: 5:31

[@drownthedays]

I must applaud the bomb selection of renaissance iconography used to illustrate this video.

[@eyalga100]

I wish I could speak and communicate as calmly and relaxed as Brandon. When I talk, I always feel and sound like I’m in a rush.

[@glob-zt5ci]

i love how happy brandon sounds when talking about the lute

[@idraote]

When I think of the solo lute, I don't think about me going to a concert hall to listen to it, but about me playing it in my room by myself (I wish...). To me it's like something you play for yourself, not for others. Of course it was also a great accompanying instrument and I particularly love how it meshes with the human voice.

[@stuartkelly3106]

The lute and counter tenor voice are wonderful accompaniments!

[@toblexson5020]

Seeing tablature written by hand in the 16th century for a classic ancestor of the guitar is amazing (especially as I've seen tab dismissed as a lazy excuse not to use sheet music). Was the Oud notated in a simular fashion, or was tablature a European development?

[@m0rvidusm0rvidus18]

Yes, it was European, as is all the ''Western'' musical theory and notation everybody thinks is universal these days. The Europeans invented proper polyphony and chordal playing, which made musical notation necessary for complex art music. And they obviously invented the printing technology that allowed the sheet music industry.

[@malcolmeakin5268]

I would happily sacrifice my eye teeth to be able to play with such feeling and virtuosity. Thanks for all of the uploads Brandon.

[@Yuorai]

No need to. Just sacrifice your blood to him

[@mtwool21]

I literally just did a giant research project on the lute and you nailed every part that I researched Brandon!!

[@streicherPRIV]

Already rocking a semi

[@kraber101]

ResidentSleeper Clap

[@MiloMcCarthyMusic]

Wut

[@charlielucas3386]

I *just* discovered that this wonderful presentation premiered on my birthday last year! Yet I only discovered it a few months ago. ☹️ Oh well...at least I have been diligently watching the video to learn as much as I can before investing in my own instrument. I’m so excited for the holiday season!! 😁

[@aarondavis5850]

I've been playing 8-course Renaissance lute and archlute for a little over a year. In fact Da Milano 84 was the first solo piece I learned! This is an excellent introduction, covering a lot of ground in 20 minutes and contains some excellent examples. I will definitely be showing it to some of my music students!

[@teodorsova394]

Lachrimae Pavan sounds way too beautiful. If you'll ever do a full video on it, I'll be the first to watch it

[@brandonacker]

Thanks, Teodor! I will be doing a full video on it soon.

[@wompwomp1658]

"Be careful when reading Italian Tab" ah yes because I have a lute just lying around

[@DanielDaniel-lw8hb]

Thank you so much for sharing with us

[@Shauny90]

This is the first video of seen of this man and he is an absolute musical genius. Please keep sharing your gift and of course im subscribing

[@saltspringdesign]

such beautiful music, thank you for the history!

[@kimmorris9664]

My new favorite instrument, from the 16th century

[@snowfiresunwind]

Very interesting video. I am intrigued by how easily you seem to be able to adjust your right hand technique when playing guitar, lute and theorbo. Would be interested to hear you talk about this.

[@hannahjohnson4582]

yeah that would be really interesting to hear about.

[@MrTacklebury]

Love the lute. I do play Skyrim also and love the become a bard. Lute is my favorite instrument to play. 8)

[@JACKSPARROW-wp7pb]

bro medieval instruments and music is cool as fuck

[@veratarasova1654]

The quality of the video is just beyond

[@vgm_composer]

Great Video. That intro song sounds exactly like 'Melodies of Life' from Final Fantasy 9. The time that the lute was popularized is similar to the age of the game was set 1:11 Beautiful!

[@vgm_composer]

What is the name of the song btw?

[@Mr.Plant1994]

You are literally the best bard on KZbin!

[@donarmando916]

I like your channel because i like antique stringed instruments especially the guitar from the early 19th century. You have it all and you know all about it and you even know how to play each one. That's great. Congrats and keep up your amazing work.

[@IanSlatas]

This was really well executed. I loved learning about the evolution of hand position. Seeing the old sheet music as you played was captivating. Well done!

[@bullymaguire8464]

Your lute is so beautiful

[@OFFline.O_o]

High quality review! Loving it

[@Diego_862]

What beautiful music. And I was interested in this instrument because Jaskier plays one, but apparently that was the same reason other people wanted one.🙂

[@brunosipavicius7867]

I loved this video. Accompanying vocal reminds me guitar today creating riffs in rock and metal bands. But solo is more amazing and beautiful, like solo in guitar. Thanks for this video. Cheers from São Paulo, Brazil.

[@JazzGuitarScrapbook]

My lute teacher told me off for accenting the upbeats. You can take the boy out of jazz.....

[@MrCucumber416]

Please do a version of Rains of Castamere on lute!

[@ThinPicks]

What a wonderful video, many thanks Brandon. Those "embellishments" almost sound like the early beginnings of jazz, other times you can hear power chords, those guys knew what they were doing haha!👍

[@glenrobertson8006]

great content! I've been playing for the last few years and it's by far the instrument thats taken me the longest to get to grips with Also no wonder you glossed over German tab, even the guy who invented it couldn't possibly understand it surely

[@Atavisten]

Fantastic as usual! Thank you, Brandon

[@benjaminolanderrasmussen3049]

My gosh. I sat down to practice, watched your warmup video, walked downstairs to cut my nails, and then this came. Amazing

[@lindapixton2862]

I have one of these made by Roosebeck---haven't learned to play it---playing my Medieval Bouzouki, but maybe someday.

[@johnatyoutube]

Thanks for teaching us the fantastic history of this beautiful instrument.

[@Thaddeus9287]

Wonderful information about the lute and its historical signficance. I loved watching through the whole thing. The only thing missing I would say would be a brief explanation about how the right-hand technique differs from modern classical guitar technique. Obviously, the thumb-inside posture is foreign to classical guitarists, but it differs in other ways too - the use of nails vs. flesh of the fingertips for example. The angle of the fingers is a bit different too.

[@andrewszmauz3529]

If the lute has such a beautiful and vast repertoire, why in music school theory classes, do we only study the piano? I'm a non traditional sophomore guitar performance major, in my class there are only 4 pianists. It doesn't make any sense to me that everything is taught off of a piano rather than other instruments. What is your particular opinion on this?

[@brandonacker]

Theory class isn't really the place to learn about historical instruments but in a typical music degree you'll learn about lutes when you cover Renaissance music history. Learning music theory on a keyboard is a smart idea. It's more intuitive to see theory (scales, triads, etc.) on a keyboard than it is a fretboard. That is why schools use pianos.

[@_zzabonin_]

Maybe because piano is a very visual instrument. It sounds just like what you'd thought left to right = low to high

[@jamestierney2531]

You can tell that Brandon loves this instrument and sharing his knowledge about with others in a calm, articulate and clear way. He has an endearing, barely-suppressed smile, throughout his presentation, as though he’s thinking, “Wait ‘til I show you even more about this fantastic instrument, “. So genuine and refreshing. Thank you.

[@charlielucas3386]

@@jamestierney2531 And such a fascinating history of this amazing instrument, not to mention Brandon’s knowledge, is fuelling my old flame for the lute; memories of learning about the instrument were the only thing I had before discovering this channel... and thus discovering one of my absolute favourite instruments all over again!! 🙂

[@jamestierney2531]

@@charlielucas3386 hi Charlie…nice note. I agree, the lute is a fascinating instrument…it’s nice to see folks like you who appreciate it…Cheers

[@Pr0SV1p3r]

If at all possible, I would love to see more videos with the Oud. Its a fascinating instrument and It would be stellar to see you play it some more!

[@eosborne6495]

Wow! All those pieces were just beautiful. It’s amazing to think that someone could write a tune that still brings a tear to people’s eyes 500 years later.

[@NA-zq3fz]

there is also a "chanterelle" string on the baroque hurdy gurdy,that was inspired from the lute.

[@KorKhan89]

Can’t wait!

[@frankdesmet8968]

Music that neither bores nor makes people nervous.

[@moisessaldivar9450]

Brandon, I just found your channel serendipitously, I like your explanations and you smooth voice and of course you playing is excellent. I look forward to many hours of your teaching. I have subscribed and look forward to supporting your channel

[@robst247]

According to the Wikipedia page on the brilliant English Renaissance composer, lutenist and singer John Dowland, who had a penchant for melancholy, the poet Richard Barnfield wrote of him that his "heavenly touch upon the lute doth ravish human sense." I believe the same could be fairly said of Brandon Acker.

I have only seen one Lute IRL. It was on the 18th century farm called Kristinehovs malmgård in Stockholm, Sweden. The farm was built in 1790.

[@joeldcanfield_spinhead]

A joyous marvelous presentation. (Am I the only one obsessed with FRETS IN THE FACE OF THE INSTRUMENT? Wild.)

[@adamjed7]

An absoLUTEly amazing instrument!

[@charlielucas3386]

😂

[@ccsmooth55]

I see what you did there...you win the internet!!

[@matchress3832]

The Lute produces such a beautiful sound. So perfect. Amazing video and introduction!

[@kitsvn]

I’m so glad I found your channel. Thank you for all your amazing videos and for sharing your music with us.

[@tanakashigemitsu3029]

It’s good explain for the lute music that I didn’t have any expectations. Thank you 😊

[@cristiserban5179]

Hey brandon, you should also give it a try for the Cobza, Romanian fretless lute that sounds quite distinct on its on. It is also compared to the Oud too.

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

14:52 listen to the baseline, the chord progression sounds like canon at first but it didn't released or composed until at the end of 1600's.

[@RobertJones-et7gh]

Beautiful

[@talanyale5826]

Thank you for this beautiful video

[@princealigorna7468]

I want a lute so bad, but the cheapest ones I can find go for around $550 and I have a budget of around $400 on any instrument I buy right now (and don't get me started on baroque guitars. You're talking $1100 and up there).

[@stevefuller6400]

Thanks Brandon from the UK You’ve brought an interest in this period to me and a fascination of the music of John downing to me so much I’ve brought a Renaissance lute into my life andI’ll follow your you tube site with great interest So thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@stevefuller6400]

I meant Dowling of coarse 😊

[@Kusid68]

i learned a lot about the lute again! and that Brandon has a new oud! Nice!

[@bug4ttidiv0]

I love this guy, such a good and well-presented introduction. I want to buy a renaissance luth for a long time, sound and aesthetic are sweet and beautiful

[@spruceguitar]

You are one amazing musician I envy you for your TECHNIQUE I am a pretty good classical guitarist, however, after decades of playing, there are things which I just cannot change😇

[@arikschoessow2325]

You're a fucking shredder on that thing bro! Make your own album!

[@cephalicwasteland3504]

05:00 history repeats Lute Djent

[@xsm5525]

haha I was lookin for the djent comment as well

[@eonesdeguitarra]

Thank you Master for your knowledge, you are a great musician and lutenist. Greetings from Mexico.

[@cuttlefishrampant5241]

Sitting here with my 8 course, lamenting the fact I've been learning to play for a semester now and can barely play christ ist erstanden and met dat shuijtgen al over dat meertgen; and this man picks it up and can play dowland... dammit I feel inferior.

[@Milligan857]

He's extremely experienced in classical guitar, and the technique (as well as the tuning) for playing lute seems very similar, his skills probably mostly transferred from that. Keep at it and you'll get there!

[@ChrisAndersonSixesMusic]

Thank you for this expose. It’s the very best I have ever heard or seen. Packed with info, important context and informed examples, you have given us more valuable insights in less time than any of your predecessors IMHO. And you do it in the most pleasant and engaging manner possible. Bravissimo! BTW - You are a kick a** player as well!

[@gjigaqaquj]

Im surprised the finger strumming on lutes was figured out after the plectrum.

[@ErikStone1]

I find it interesting how history repeats itself. Over time, the Lute extended its range by adding more bass strings. Now with modern guitars, we see history repeat. There are 7 string, 8 string, 10 string, etc.

[@juanpablobartolomeo5613]

Damn. Now I need a lute.

[@grocheo1]

Thanks!

[@kennethcheng189]

A superb video. Thank you so much. May I ask two questions: 1. the strings appear so close to each other (not taking about the doubled strings, but between the courses), how do you do the fingering and get clean notes? 2. Do lute players trim or keep finger nails on their right hands? Thanks!!

[@santicolina5620]

These videos are very entertaining and informative. Also the quality is really good! Greetings from Venezuela! I'll keep waiting for the shred reveal

[@brandonacker]

Thank you! The shred reveal is out :) Check-out my channel. Take care!

[@lamilenariahistoria3934]

Greetings from a fellow Venezuelan!

[@BS38114]

Maybe Branson will introduce the Cuatro in the future? ;-)

[@lamilenariahistoria3934]

@@BS38114 that would be awesome!, the cuatro is basically a renaissance guitar with the first string tuned an octave lower.