What Is A Lute?

A lute basically is a plucked string instrument which has a fretted neck along with a deep round back. Lutes are entirely made of wood. The soundboard of the lute is usually designed in the shape of a teardrop. Nearly all lutes comprise of a single decorated sound hole beneath the strings, which is known as rose. The sound hole is not open, but is covered with fencing in the shape of an intertwining vine or a decorative knot, engraved straight from the wood of the soundboard.

The back section of a Lute is made from thin strips of hardwood, known as ribs, which are connected from edge to edge to create a deep rounded body for the instrument. The player of a Lute is known as lutenist, lutanist and at times lutist even.