A lute (/ ljuːt / [1] or / luːt /) is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted.

The lute is a stringed musical instrument plucked with the fingers or a plectrum (pick). Widely recognizable for its round shape and softness of tone, it originally evolved from the Middle Eastern oud, was brought to Europe through Spain in the 8th and 9th centuries, and was later heard throughout Europe from about the twelfth century CE until ...

Mar 7, 2025 · 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.

Nov 10, 2024 · The lute is a string instrument with a distinctive pear-shaped body and a fretted neck, usually featuring a backward-angled pegbox. Lutes typically have a hollow body, or resonating chamber, that helps amplify the sound, and strings that are plucked or strummed.

The lute is rich not only in repertoire but in symbolism. Its refined sound has given it courtly associations in East and West: for Arabs the lute was amir al - 'alat, the sultan of instruments.

If you've ever wondered what a lute is and why it has maintained its charm through centuries, you're in for a treat. This stringed marvel, known for its intricate design and rich sound, is more than just an instrument; it's a gateway to the past, a symbol of musical refinement.

Jul 13, 2015 · From the Arabian oud to the medieval, renaissance and baroque lutes, this article briefly charts the development of this versatile, beautiful and enduring instrument, featuring 8 videos illustrating the changes and developments of the lute and its music. The medieval European lute is directly descended from the gut-strung Arabian oud.

Sep 21, 2022 · The lute is a musical instrument belonging to the plucked string group. In the Middle Ages, it had a pear-shaped body and several pairs of strings. Among the Arab peoples, she was considered the queen of musical instruments, and thanks to her soft sound, she had a symbolic meaning for many religions.

Jul 8, 2023 · What is lute? The lute is a plucked string instrument with a rounded body and a fretted neck. It was popular in Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque periods and is known for its rich, delicate sound.

Dec 28, 2023 · What Is A Lute? A lute is an instrument from the string family. Much like a guitar, a lute has a hollow base made of thin strips of wood called the body. The body of a lute is round and deep, helping give the instrument its unique sound.