Introducing: The Baroque Lute

[@brandonacker]

Learn classical guitar with my online course! 🎸 Classicalguitar-pro.com -Your first pieces -6 hours, 53 HD videos -PDFs, Downloads, and Quizzes -Simulated recital -Access to Brandon's feedback in an exclusive Facebook group

[@FahlmanCascade]

3:08 : "This peg box is so intimidating." "If a lute player lives for eighty years, he has surely spent sixty years tuning his lute." -- Johann Matheson, c.1720

[@DeOmnibusDubitandum76]

He was spot on! I am installing a Floyd Rose on mine next week.

[@Hun_Uinaq]

I absolutely believe it. Every word!

[@Hun_Uinaq]

@@DeOmnibusDubitandum76 LMAO!

[@molekyyli]

@@DeOmnibusDubitandum76 I wanna see a video of you tuning that thing. 🤣

[@noone.....2872]

"I fear no men but that thing it scares me"

[@bradenleonard6286]

"Just got this two hours ago"... *Immediately plays beautiful piece of music perfectly*

[@Fritz_Haarmann]

You know when I see a comment complimenting someones abilities, I instantly go to the replys to see the rebuttals, but there doesn't seem to be such a thing as a negative reply here, wich just proves the validity of this statement.

[@kishascape]

I mean once you got the theory down to an expert level like this guy has you can transfer between lutes with a tiny bit of practice. Man is a Lute Maestro.

[@chrisf.1301]

Some classical guitar pieces are played in lute tuning often with a capo. He said he knows the piece on guitar so it’s not too different, just the bass notes added and some left hand fingering simplified to omit the basses.

[@BellaDucatista]

Brushy one string would lose his *#*king mind!

[@ruthjoy3315]

😂 😂 😂

[@philjohnson4607]

LOL

[@subswithnovideos-ko5sd]

Imagine Davie504 finding this instrument... And replacing some of the strings with B A S S strings.

[@flytrapYTP]

@@subswithnovideos-ko5sd epik

[@F0nkyNinja]

@Sathington Waltz Brushy 12-string

[@architectinth]

Me: So, what're your plans for today? You: Restringing my Baroque Lute.

[@Robobagpiper]

Lutenist to singer: "tell the audience a joke while I retune" Singer: "I don't know any jokes that long!"

[@brandonacker]

Hey all, I'm planning to do more videos "Introducing" a wide range of early plucked instruments (lutes, guitars and more). Please SUBSCRIBE to be notified when they come out. If you'd like to support the creation of those new videos, please consider joining my Patreon: www.patreon.com/brandonacker

[@SamDesmet]

Brandon Acker finally someone that does this... I’ve always intrigued by trying out non ‘classical’ guitars (mainly baroque guitars), but have no idea where to start (buying, literature, methods,...). Looking forward to more videos!!!

[@brandonacker]

@ Hi they are KRK rokit 6

[@libertarious]

I'm detecting Db or c# minor for your open voicing.

[@unscripted483]

Why didnt the lutist have have any money.. because he was baroque ZING.

[@alexanderfo3886]

Dear Brandon, thank you a lot for presenting this wonderful instrument and your musical samples. This lute is just..., well baroque, i.e. impressive and over-powering to an almost ridiculous level, just like the baroque age itself. Taking into account you're planning to present even more, it's all the more terrific. I'm really looking forward to your next presentations.

[@bluekeahi3240]

I have zero musical talent but I love watching people who really, visibly, LOVES their crafts In this case the way this guy just looks giddy happy explaining stuff makes me happy

[@kishascape]

This sounds so amazing, those low open notes and the bass strings specially on that last song he played was so amazing. I need just like an hour of that for ambiance.

[@CaptainWastrel]

I "met" you on Rob Scallon channel. Damn, you sure lit again my fire for historical instruments/music. Great channel my man, great content for music nerds like me :)

[@PearHellforge]

same, only i stayed to see more of his beautiful face

[@hatim9687]

@@PearHellforge he makes people gay with his face and playing

[@Headhunter_212]

CaptainWastrel was that the video with the Theorbo?

[@CaptainWastrel]

@@Headhunter_212 the other one, with the baroque guitar!

[@Headhunter_212]

@@CaptainWastrel aha. the comments on that were hilarious.

[@dalnoke9928]

So my Grandparents from Dresden always proudly kept going on about our ancestry to Silvius Leopold Weiß. Never thought much of it before now, in my late 20’s, starting out with the classical guitar and finding out that my forefather Leo was like the Bach among lutenists and is even being played by this awesome guy on KZbin...! Thank you Mr. Acker!

[@tylergriffinguitar6873]

I love this!! You should make more spoken videos "introducing" your different instruments!

[@brandonacker]

Thanks! Yes that's the plan :)

[@tikaal]

@@brandonacker awesome!

[@Jasper_4444]

But please use less background music. It's too much and too repetitive, it palls on the ear.

[@Jasper_4444]

@Heinrich Hesse After listening to music, I much enjoy having some time (even if just seconds) to let it sink in. Here, I get not a single second: the background music starts immediately. And in a different key. I'd prefer to have the D minor stuff echo through my mind a bit while he resumes talking. But, you know, to each their own. 🙂

[@brandonacker]

@@Jasper_4444 noted;)

[@elzano9623]

I will forever be grateful to Rob Scallon for introducing me to you. you're a marvelous musician, i love listening to you play and your knowledge is astounding. Love the content!

[@beveryofa2546]

You look so happy and immersed to share with us, almost like you were bursting with excitement while maintaining your very classical demeanor, you remind me so very much of several of my cousins who also play classical music professionally, I wish we could all hang out and talk about music.

[@BlueMania96]

Now the big question is... Can you play "Toss a coin to your Witcher" on it?

[@gabrielmumbray4287]

I've tried to play that on my guitar but I have only got so far

[@yohanchang2753]

Please do

[@jhmonti007]

BlueMania96 kinda hated that song when they played it in the show

[@uli_ses1363]

I came here to make this same comment so instead I will second you. Please do mr vampire!

[@felipecl267]

It's better Priscilla's song ..the wolven storm I think

[@BCTGuitarPlayer]

It’s like observing a PBS special from an old gentleman in a young man's body;) Thank you, professor...

[@arnoldrivas4590]

Music knows no age :)

[@dannydeenen1213]

Has great, astounding knowledge of music, still calls the sound of bass notes an ‘umpf’. What a legend.

[@PabloMarchenay]

As a renaissance and baroque music lover, I really appreciate what you do for popularizing it. Greetings from France...

[@ghewins]

There’s something very special about watching someone do what they were born to do

[@FancyNoises]

We should all do so...

[@blazingrose3704]

He could make playing rubber bands on a shoe box interesting.

[@GuessWhat99999]

He should do it and see how good it is lol

[@joshuacarlson240]

@@GuessWhat99999 the baroque rubber shoe box

[@Mistysfedora]

GOOD POINT

[@CWGanz]

Open strings in D minor, a plaintive & languorous sound, low tension strings for ornaments...Thank you so much for introducing this lovely instrument to me, what a pleasure it was to watch this video!

[@MikeArnesen]

Stooooked for all the Baroque lute performances to come! I have a Le Luth Dore Renaissance lute and I've really been loving playing it. I'd love to mess around with all those extra courses one day. Keep up the amazing videos!

[@thedaver8]

A multi-scale, low-tuned, 26-stringed guitar. This was metal before metal was metal

[@jeremimayhuire7928]

No, really no.

[@brentcantrell9334]

I've always said for the time flight of the bumblebee written in 1899 was the first metal song. Lol. Could you imagine what people thought the first time they heard that tempo.

[@javierdiazsantana]

Beside having a focus in D minor, really sad music played on this thing.

[@angrypotato1347]

@@brentcantrell9334 There's been a lot of really fast pieces like that. Another 'metal-sounding' piece is the presto from Vivaldi's Summer, written in 1723, also with a pretty fast tempo. Paganini's Caprice No. 5 (written in 1817) is a tempo of 150 BPM, while Flight of the Bumblebee is a tempo of 144 BPM, I think. And that's only two pieces, a lot of Chopin's Etudes were written in extremely fast tempos. Paganini was know for writing extremely difficult and fast pieces. Liszt (inspired by Paganini) was as well. And for metal, I think Shostakovitch's 8th string quartet (specifically the 2nd movement) sounds like metal for a string quartet.

[@Roberto_MR]

@@angrypotato1347 Also I would add Presto from BWV 1001.

[@poetryandhiking]

I love how excited you are about the baroque lute! I’m looking forward to hearing some Weiss.

[@lazylion420]

ok I'll give this a crack I guess. only had it for an hour or so. *PLAYS PERFECTLY*

[@isaacthecorncob]

Read this as he said it lol

[@ayhamazzam4112]

Me too 🤣🤣🤣

[@ASDAFL]

Congratulations on the new acquisition, it's a beautiful looking instrument! Looking forward to hearing some pieces being played on it in the future.

[@ShallieDragon]

The thing I love about your videos is the sheer wonder and joy you bring when you talk about the instruments. It's so pure. The fact that you truly and deeply love these historical instruments really comes through, and it's charming. Keep up the good work!

[@G3m1n1MTNs]

Your enthusiasm for this instrument is contagious! Very cool to see and hear it played.

[@kemberleyedelstein6274]

He has discovered a new tool to express his music through. I love how excited he is! Brandon is always ready to share the many expressions of things that go pluck. It’s always fun, like Christmas on his channel.

[@paulomelo1792]

Fantastic! You are one in a million, Brandon.

[@HighlySensitiveHealer]

The bass notes sound of the charts…absolutely beautiful my friend 🤙

[@allthingshigh]

Couldn’t agree more

[@Jasper_4444]

"My arsenal of all things that go PLUCK" You just found the new name for your channel. 😀

[@samuelmyles3102]

@LagiNaLangAko23 Eeh No!

[@budisondakh4287]

Brandon "the plucker" Acker 😆😆😆

[@sherthetruth]

I swear this guy... his voice.. his playing... how passionate and smart he is. can nottt....

[@otto.castro]

Thank you for sharing your impressions on how it feels to play. Often times I see baroque scores and I find them so challenging. Its comforting to know that's because of the "translation" to the guitar, which was not as well designed to perform pieces designed for the lute. My respect for the lute and the compositions made for this instrument just increased.

[@dedballoons]

My gosh around the five minute mark where you're playing those beautiful dark minor descending notes and looking out your window to grey skies and trees with no leaves.. how pretty.

[@Edelweiss1102]

I love the pure enthusiasm and joy put in these videos. It's obvious you love what you do, and as someone who loves both music and history, this is like ultimate nerdgasm. It also sounds awesome, just makes me want to sit at a piano and jam out.

[@franktalarico689]

We're so lucky to have people like you sharing with us!

[@gerryjamesedwards1227]

The joy you had in getting acquainted with the lute was an absolute pleasure to watch. I'm looking forward to hearing more!

[@dwaynehendricks7842]

Dude, totally with you, man. I truly appreciate your passion with ?(this instrument?, the period of music?, the sound of the music?, the sound of the instrument?, or, any, or all the above!!!!!!! Your passion is so aware and obvious, it makes me want to watch the channel even more!!

[@henry3457]

This channel is so amazing! I love to hear early music treated with a high level of care and dedication without ever becoming pretentious like some early performers tend to. Brandon is a breath of fresh air. The only plucked instrument I play is the mandolin, and I'd love to hear Brandon go to town on a baroque mandolin. Keep it up, man!

[@jviss07]

Wow, I really enjoyed that, Brandon, thank you. Your enthusiasm and obvious joy are contagious.

[@brandonacker]

Join my online guitar course!🎸classicalguitar-pro.com -53 videos -6 hours of content -Learn your first pieces -Simulated recital -Downloads and PDFs

[@Jo8Nathan]

I am looking forward to seeing you experiment more with the lute. It´s such a beautiful instrument. Your passion is so contagious and your great technique and heartfelt playing makes your stuff high quality content. Rock on man.

[@lukemorris2888]

I know nothing about historical instruments but I’m oddly drawn to this channel from rob’s videos. Very talented and knowledgeable, keep it up man. Happy holidays

[@RockersNet]

Brandon, you are bringing classical music back into vogue with us djent/metal heads, and your passion shines through so clearly on these vids. Cant wait to see the rest

[@tylerrosier1068]

I’m so happy you are getting all the attention you deserve. You are so incredibly talented, and you deserve nothing less from how hard you’ve worked to get to where you are. I hope to see everything going up hill from here! Also, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!

[@user-fi6rj6sv2k]

I think it's so nice that you're, most of the time, smiling... It makes me realize that I should be smiling and happy too, even if I'm going through some difficult times (which I am) Thank you for helping me

[@phatbassanchor]

Friction pegs a bit loose? Give it a whack with a wooden mallet! What a beautiful instrument! I'm a Bassist. Born in fourths and fifths. This is truly a joy to see and hear. Thank you :) Adventure on friend!

[@raykent3211]

Your enthusiasm is infectious, I've subscribed. On a sour note I imagine the bass player turning up for rehearsal.... "Sorry mate, don't need you, I've had extra bass strings added to my lute"

[@johnsimms3957]

That's a nice sounding lute. They're such a cool instrument. Please make more videos featuring this instrument. And you really play well.

[@songswithcam669]

daaaang those bass tones got me good!! what an incredible instrument

[@thinkbaroque]

Fascinating video and gorgeous instrument. You play it beautifully.

[@LarryvanLoon]

Marvelous! I so appreciate you introducing us to this utterly fascinating instrument, one I’ve been in love with since I was a kid. I remember getting into trouble because I’d get caught drawing detailed illustrations of archlutes during class, so I’m feeling the delight you express in simply having one in your hands and making music with it. Enjoy! And thank you for taking us along for the adventure, Brandon.

[@Iheartdgd]

What a gorgeous instrument. I absolutely love the world of music.. in any form.

[@brendanthebdog]

Thank you for spending the time practicing and keeping this exceedingly rare music alive!

[@JodiTraver]

I just discovered this channel. What a delight! Thank you!

[@soggytatty3845]

You and Rob are huge inspirations to me and my guitar playing. Both very genuine blokes! Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us mate.

[@JaimeAndresJaramillo]

One of the most beautiful sounding instruments I've ever heard!

[@alexfeser9303]

Thanks a lot for your work. You open a large, wide horizon of sounds with it in a very charming way 👏

[@sabririhab9383]

I m not even interested in the instruments i just find this channel to be very calming

[@euledj79]

This is such a great Introduction to the baroque lute! It underlines my decision to start the lute. For me as a guitar player who hates long nails, the low tension is also a good reason to play this wonderful instrument. It resonates so wonderful!

[@kirkhammett110919901]

He's only 3 hours into his new lute, plays like this and says : "It's gonna take a lot of time to figure this thing out". Like, a day or two? Woah, that's a LOT of time :)) Thank you for this great, concise introduction. Especially those "low tension" strings seem really appealing to me as a classical guitar amateur :)

[@Oblivion751]

Now we need an archlute introduction!I hope they sent you one !!

[@MacBaerFFM]

I really like your enthusiasm. How this video can get a "thumbs down " is really beyond me. Enjoy your new instrument!

[@dwaynehendricks7842]

Once again, your passion for this instrument just shines through!! Thank you!!!

[@squatking77]

Can you imagine having a title like “Early Plucked Instrument Specialist”?

[@philnau7902]

Spent time in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC admiring the exquisite craftsmanship of exotic instruments, beautiful but behind glass and thus wondering how they sound as played by 'native' musicians. So cool that you explain the details so clearly and sample the music as well!

[@karlsten6946]

That is one beautiful instrument! I am a ukulele player and the very first music book I bought is called "Lute to Uke." I find playing Renaissance music to be very calming. I am a big fan of Dowland. One of these days I will probably buy a lute too. I found your channel through Rob Scallon, and I enjoy your videos. Take care, happy holidays!

[@Trump_Train]

Don't lie you were there when this was invented! 🧛‍♂️🧛‍♂️🧛‍♂️

[@10mimu]

Chase he does look like a vampire, doesn't he. Classy and handsome one, ofc

[@lukahmad5683]

@@10mimu HE DID, he is so mysteriously handsome and beautiful, must be magic!

[@jamesjohnston6765]

Wonderful! The sheer ecstatic joy on your face is like a kid in a multi-stringed candy store. Thanks for sharing and I'm looking forward to hearing more.

[@eranzaksh]

Would you agree to play some tunes from J.S. Bach Suite in E Minor BWV 996? I know this on the guitar but i guess it would be much more beautiful on the original instrument it was written for + your playing :)

[@brandonacker]

I did sight read some of 996 briefly and read through the other suites just to see how they felt. NOT easy. Bach, unlike Weiss, did not play the baroque lute. He composed on the "Lautenwork" which was a lute-harpsichord. So it doesn't fit in the hand as idiomatically as Weiss. Having said that, I'm positive I'll be posting some Bach at some point ;)

[@hassansoliman970]

@@brandonacker Yes please do!! :)

[@eranzaksh]

Brandon Acker interesting! I didn’t knew.. I’ll be waiting for Bach creations but Either way I’ll be happy to listen to every piece you’ll play on this instrument (: Thanks!

[@rickcar94]

@@eranzaksh You didn't *know*

[@eranzaksh]

@@rickcar94 Thanks.

[@colinhickey8085]

beautiful beautiful instrument

[@cricket12ish]

So if I play this.... Wine women and song will come to me right?

[@andrepereira744]

You just have that"i got my favorite toy in X-mas"face,while playing this!! Good job dude!

[@kellcifur6985]

I’ve watched this like 3 times. Absolutely stunning sound 👌

[@samson9428]

Found this channel through Rob scallon, and I absolutely love this "introducing" series! I think this instrument in particular is the most beautiful sounding one I've heard yet, but I also love the all of the information you share about the instruments origins. Great content!

[@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!

[@tonyennis1787]

Which instrument do you grab when you get to choose?

[@brandonacker]

@@tonyennis1787 it changes everyday. I cycle between instruments.

[@brandonacker]

My online guitar course is $50 OFF only this Labor Day weekend! (expires at midnight on September 5th) classicalguitar-pro.com Use this promo code at checkout: LABORDAY22

[@Skyggen24]

from now on i will just say that i'm 'chanterelle' instead of single.

[@misipikler7844]

Simply genius 👌 Hello to all the chanterelle people out there!

[@ce9562]

Hello!! 👋

[@shatsbird]

You are one very impressive young man indeed!! Great and informative work. Thanks

[@masonlucas461]

"Great quality lutes, for a more affordable price." What other wares have you, Stranger?

[@BIZEB]

What a beautiful sound. It's easy to understand how you got so enthralled with it. Great introduction as well, you are a joy to listen to, both as a player and a speaker. Looking forward to your next videos.

[@MrPeteybelljr]

How can a person have so much talent and look like the hot guy in an anime?

[@thecharlieramirez]

He looks like a hot guy in real life.

[@grizzlymkiv1964]

Honestly he reminds me of Uryu Ishida from Bleach hahah.

[@Hendrix1942Fan]

4:40 that's such a good shot right there. Those bass notes are so rad too!

[@AnjaLerntDeutsch]

You are so inspiring and inspired! 💓

[@stevepethel6843]

Sustain like a. Piano .well explained beautifully. Played

[@chefbanjo8139]

Brandon has entered the string number wars! In his first foray, he has already surpassed Jared and Stevie.

[@rikoflishas]

Chef Banjo he’s winning and doesn’t even try xD

[@deteresaFlamenco]

Awesome instrument. A couple of years ago I built a 13-string harp guitar designed for baroque lute repertoire. It was great fun to play but pretty difficult for me. I was amazed that the person I made it for had a full concert-ready repertoire worked out for it in less than a year.

[@blueturkey]

Here's a trick that may work for you. On my Elizabethan lute (13 strings), I can quickly play almost any guitar piece by ignoring the top string (first course). Chord shapes fall naturally from the 2nd course. So you can fret a D shape as long as you don't play the first course. This gives me a feel for the piece on the lute making an easy transposition from guitar, then I re-learn it for the lute. Dowland, Cutting pieces are my favourites. Also, I have fallen in love with the natural reverb. It is akin to architecture in sound. This is particularly true when the strings are tuned to the natural resonant frequency of the instrument.

[@ploopploopy4940]

That grin! That's the face of a musician who really loves his instrument!

[@xander1052]

The Timbre (I think thats the word right?) of the lute as an instrument to me sounds so much nicer than Accoustic guitar.

[@pickle2636]

yeah Timbre is the right word to describe that

[@talktidy7523]

Once upon a time, a long time ago - I mean I'm not kidding here, we're talking early 80s - my boyfirend before he turned into my life partner took me out for a recital by a lute player at our local college. I was pretty young, but the lutentist blew my socks off. She also allowed people to touch & pick up her instrument & I have never felt anything so weightless in my life as her lute. Astonishing.

[@bobstrea4399]

Let's hope we're gonna hear some of it anytime soon. Btw I finally bought my theorbo today and started training the Visee Chaconne thanks to you :) Keep up your amazing work, gentleman!

[@brandonacker]

That's fantastic, Bob! I'm very happy to hear that. Best of luck and send me an email at [e-mail] if you need any help figuring out the theorbo :)

[@MaycourtRainworth]

Very interesting instrument. And I love how your "take a crack at it" was to play the peice to near perfection.

[@johnarken1810]

It's good to know "Need BASS." existed in the 17th century.

[@sanketnarkar3381]

This guy is way undersubscribed for what he brings to the music scene!!! You are awesome

[@Nate-cx7fx]

24 strings?! Jared and Stevie are shaking in their boots!

[@soggybagel1232]

Davie504 has 36 strings

[@meatsmell8639]

@@soggybagel1232 Yeah but when he sold out to the meme culture and clickbait titles, he lost most of his respect in the KZbin musician community. Honestly amazed Rob was willing to do that collaboration with hin tbh.

[@anirudhnavin4568]

@@meatsmell8639 you're over exaggerating man but I get what you mean his musical interest has dropped to like zero

[@christopherlord3441]

Beautiful. I was once looking for a mandolin on e-bay and I came across this very bad photo with an advertisement for a 'mandolin, some broken strings' for I think 50 euros. It had been up for months and nobody had taken any notice: it was a baroque lute. It had risen up to the top of the listings as its expiry date approached. I wrote immediately: someone had beaten me to it by two hours. Otherwise I would have been like you. What a beautiful instrument.

[@imacat8476]

Gonna enjoy this new type of content, I often like to find more info about these instruments but unfortunately there isn't much. If you also did videos regarding info for those who want to start getting into lute playing, that would also be great. I am a classical guitarist, I've wanted to expand onto the baroque lute for long time, the price of the one you have is really good for such a beautiful sound and quality, I'm tempted to get one.

[@tanujravi]

Dude! You talk exactly like how you play your instruments! So mellow and soft spoken :)

[@SpartanLaserCanon]

Man, some older stringed instumens have tones like when a good flamenco player plays, Flamenco tone sounds like a cross between a lute and oud to me. This is such a cool instrument and back then more strings were definitely on some stringed instuments so people could play some piano pieces with the bass cleff having sinilar range... or there own stuff obviously lol.

[@taylorfranks2030]

i find lute music very calming/relaxing! i think i’ll buy myself one this christmas (: