Dowland wrote the piece for lute presumably with a particular sound in mind. It’s a wonderful piece so of course it sounds good on a guitar, having its own unique flavor on the instrument. You could do the same thing on a kazoo though. It’s a lute piece and sounds best there
To me the chords of the Lute need to be tuned better, it's too ringing and annoying, maybe the chord sounds better if it's minor, the major chord sound too ringing.
Wish I could convey the beauty of Indian Classical music which has been there for time immemorial. Way before any other religion. This music and the Indian classical music do not overlap anywhere they are very different....Just for the general information.
@@fenhen Sure! It requires at least some knowledge on the listeners part but still. To recommend a few is like choosing from an ocean...but here you go...try atleast one from each category and notice that they start with a slow pace and gradually the pace increases. It includes various instruments as well as vocal. They are all playing the same music pieces called Raag invented many thousand years ago at least.. Instruments include sitar, sarod, surbahar, rudra veena. Go to my channel and find the playlist named indian classical various. Please do listen to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi miya ki Malhar I have added in the playlist it is 6 minutes long. In this single piece is conveyed the whole of the Indian classical.
Of course he'd say he's less experienced with the lute to cover his secret vampire status. He obviously had played it since its conception, with his experience with guitars being less than the lute. :)
Not sure he's a vampire since we have seen him play outside in daylight. One of those instruments may be hiding a sword though so he probably is immortal. Has anyone seen any katana wielding Scotsman around him?
Well a lot of legends claim that a vampire can be in day light as long as they feed, I like to believe he's a classy vampire bard lulling his victims with enchanting tones. The glasses are a clever trick to make him seem less menacing.
@@Vales55 Factor 1000 suncream ! That's how I get around going out in daylight. Vampires have never had it so good, modern technology has allowed many sangrophiles to explore the daylight.
The lute sounds like I'm in Hampton Court circa 1550 and the guitar sounds like I'm in the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. In either case, it is melancholy and beautiful.
That's it, I'm sold on the lute. It sounds a little bit richer and "crispier" (banjo-like or not) vs a warmer sound of a guitar. I was into classic Spanish music for a while there, but a change into Baroque would be equally nice and pleasant as well. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge between the two.
Yeah, I think a lute works much better as a standalone instrument. But the guitar would probably be the better choice in an arrangement with other instruments.
It’s hard to compete with those extra strings. 12 string guitars are _amazing._ If you haven’t heard it I’ll ready I recommend listening to Ocean by John Butler (look specifically for the “Max session” version!). According to me it’s one of the most amazing guitar solos of all time.
I prefer the sound of the guitar, the lute was almost too penetrating a sound for me ,then, on an iPad ! how can you ask us this, with our silly sound producers and our worn out ears ?
I do *not* think the lute has a "fuller" sound. However that's why I like it. I think most people like it more because it is not only different, but sounds truer to Renaissance times.
I like the lute version. Lute tone carries astounding mid-age melancholy beneath the struck melody that the classical guitar can't mimic. They are just two different instruments with each own territory disallowing an invasion. This piece situates on the land of Lute. Great work Brandon!
Very interesting! I preferred the lute; there was something almost magical about it. You should try this with a piece originally written for guitar and see if that changes things.
You want to know why you enjoyed the lute better? The piece was made for the lute. The lute was made to work well with high notes. I love what the guitar did for the piece that the lute couldn’t, but the piece had way more high notes than low notes. The double strings helps push the higher notes. I remember when he said that the lute had an extra low note but when he played it I barely could hear it. The song is meant for something that does high well.
I like the lute version better. The guitar version makes the piece sound more Spanish. Maybe more 19th century sounding. The lute version sounds more 17th century. Very well played!
I had the same impression with the Spanish thing. I feel that the quality and complexity of the guitar is a step above the lute, technically, because of it being a more modern instrument. But playing the piece written for lute with the guitar I think loses it's charm and character here. It's like the harpsichord to the piano, and there are just music specifically made for they're own
I'm delighted that your ears hear the same thing mine do. I hear the same time period between them but from different countries with different approaches to playing the same instruments and style of composition.
Thanks, I was trying to explain why I prefer the lute version, even though I could listen to both versions endlessly. But the lute does have the 17th Century sound.
I think I prefer the lute, however, if I came upon the guitar version only, I’d still hear the beauty of this music. Wonderful playing Brandon, and terrific video!
I have loved both the Lute and Guitar for over 60 years and I think you play each beautifully. I think both instruments won in this showdown because they can be individually selected for the different musical desires of the moment. Thank you and I will find your full videos and enjoy both.
As a lutenist, I can definitely say your guitar playing is more confident than your lute playing, however, you are still a better lutenist than I am :) Personally I find that because of the doubled courses, the lute flows better than the guitar (specifically in this piece, I do not generalize here), and the silvery, almost ephemeral sound of the lute makes it my preference. That being said both are beautiful, and I am definitely biased towards the instrument I play.
Hey friends, you can meet me on Zoom tomorrow for a group masterclass! Very affordable tickets available here: arpeggiato.com/events/ See you then! Brandon
Can make a video playing my favorite classical piece? It’s Chopin’s prelude in e minor, op 28 no4. That would be wonderful to hear on a plucked instrument if that would be possible!
That lute is dreamy, makes sense that the piece would sound better on that instrument as opposed to the guitar. It's apples and oranges and you can't really compare them but you can appreciate the two resonant perspectives.
Both lute and guitar versions are beautiful in their own distinctive ways. I think the comparison of the two is much like the comparison between harpsichord and piano. The guitar seems to have the potential for more dynamic finesse than the lute. I would like to hear a piece written for two lutes played on one lute, one guitar. It would be interesting to see how the two instruments blend and enhance eachother.
Maybe a little late to this conversation, I do love both, but the guitar feels so homey to me. I feel warm and safe with the guitar. The lute feels like an ethereal fay thing outside our world. Obviously I’m sure someone who grew up around lutes would feel different :)
When it comes to guitar playing you are for sure my biggest inspiriation. Had to say it after like 50 videos of you i watched for sure. Love you Brandon
'perhapes my lute playing hasn't caught up to my guitar playing yet' ... Plays Lute beautifully :D. You are one of the humblest human beings out there.
He *DID* live through the middle ages, lol...you might not be aware of it but here in the comments we often discuss how Brandon is actually a vampire and is 100's of years old, explaining his amazing musical aptitude, especially for older instruments like the Lute...scan some comments on older posts and I'm sure you'll see what I mean 😁
@@robertcronin6603 yes. It suffices to watch one or two of his teaching videos to, as a man, first question your heterosexuality, and then realize you are being hypnotized - - through the freaking smartphone. Wearing shades helps, without having to deprive your days of every joy entirely. However, I maintain that his remarkable skills on these instruments mostly stem from more recent times (as he even kind of gives away in this very video at 4:27).
When I did the guitar Grade 8 (UK) I realised that the only pieces in the repertoir I loved (Dowland up to Weiss) were written for lute. So I bought a couple of lutes, and played them accordingly. I still have a couple of classical guitars, but I wouldn't play Dowland on them.,
Thanks Brandon for your great care in preparing this video. Both instruments sound beautiful, and I can't choose between them. But your comments will help my non musician's ear to listen more closely.
Upon hearing the lute, I am spanked with sparkle and caressed with a silvery tongue darting hither and thither. The guitar goes down low and hums in a special baritone bramble; soothing my spindly calves with a buttery resonance. Bravo!!
Wow !... As a huge lute (and oud) lover, I almost felt disappointed to love this guitar so much, lol. It has such a deep, warm velvety resonance, that the lute almost sounds "dry" in comparison ! 😕 ... 😄 Another great video, thank you so much !
The sound from the lute comes off as a little scratchy and the guitar sounds more full because of the marriage of both treble and bass tones. You really are awesome for playing both instruments so fluidly 😊
Hi Brandon, Bravo for this cleverly done comparison between the lute and classical guitar. You are an incredibly talented and skilled HIP on both of these instruments. What impresses me the most is your humble approach to teaching skills and the manner in which you present your lessons and demonstrations. I absolutely love it. Congratulations!
The bass line of the piece is very simple, so all the story is carried by the high notes. Because of that my feeling is that this piece sounds better on the lute. Incredible playing and wonderful production. Your work is a huge gift to humanity!!!❤
Loved both; loved your playing. One thing not mentioned: as a multi-instrumentalist and sometime composer, I find that the particular instrument the music is composed on strongly influences the choices of notes and harmonies. The lute has more sharpness of attack than that particular guitar, especially in the bass. That allows for quicker runs and ornaments in the bass range on the lute. If this were written on guitar, with as deep a bass as yours, perhaps the deeper notes would have been written more sparingly, allowing for the treble to stand out more compared to the bass.
the absolute mastery of your playing cannot be over stated. I found your channel many years ago, and never cease to enjoy it. I have played a few different instruments throughout my life, and am now embarking on learning to play the Renaissance Lute. thankyou for all that you do.
I wish more early musicians would do this. Having started out on guitar 50+ years ago I, too, tuned mine down and put a capo on it to perform lute music before eventually having a lute on which to perform these and other pieces. This is such a wonderful and insightful comparison. Thank you and looking forward to the "full" version!
What I find is that the lute sounds much more intimate, as if it's playing right in front of me, whereas the guitar sounds as if it came from the back of a cathedral. To me that just reemphasizes that they are different instruments with different use cases. The Renaissance lute is more of a chamber instrument, whereas the guitar tries to be a jack of more trades, being a large concert instrument too. My preference in general is the lute, yes I'm biased because I play the lute and prefer the repertoire. Now I'd like to see the theorbo compared to the classical guitar. Concert instrument vs concert instrument (though one is mostly basso continuo, the other the main event in a concert).
I play both, though neither as well as Mr Acker of course. @nextlifeonearth has hit the nail on the head, for me. The Renaissance Lute (our name for it of course, not Dowland's or any of the other people playing at the same time as him) was made for intimacy - a few people listening or playing with a (very) small number of other instruments. I play at a place called Dyrham Park in England, in the Great Hall no less, and the lute is a little humbled by the space. A classical guitar in the right hands can hold its own without amplification against a symphony orchestra in a concert hall. It projects better, and can produce greater volume than the lute with the same effort in the plucking. Pluck the lute too hard and it begins to lose the quality which makes it beautiful - the delicacy, the enchantment, the translucency, and, yes, the intimacy - all of which, for me, is, in the right context, why the lute wears its music perfectly, whereas, good as it is, the guitar can only approximate that. On the other hand, try doing, say, the Concierto de Aranjuez on a lute, and you will soon run into a lot of difficulties which will make you wish you hadn't started. I speak from personal experience here - and I never tried playing the CdA in public, it would have been too embarrassing. So that's my tuppence worth (tuppence=2p or 2c in the US and elsewhere) FWIW, thanks for listening, as it were
I must add to my comment below, that your sense of phrasing and agogic accent is so devine that it transports us to another time. The comparison is brilliant, and they both sound so individually unique. You are a master at this, and it inspires me every time I listen to you play.
I've never in my life heard a cover such close to the original. This is perfection. I can only dream of one day singing as well as you. I wish you all the best ❤
Oh, the beauty of both! But while they're undeniably very different even here, my impression is that you're playing the guitar with a capo, and adopting the lute-playing position for the right hand, brings them closer together. Put differently, and it definitely is a compliment, I've rarely if ever heard a classical guitar sound so "renaissance". Thank you Brandon!
Beautiful music, thank you for sharing this! I feel drawn to the lute version for the “original intent” reason and the clarity/doubled strings that creates a rich, relaxing atmosphere. But having never knowingly heard the lute before I was immediately surprised by how similar they sounded, given your matching the gut strings and the playing technique.
I just love the attack and timbre of the lute as the sound decays almost going mettallic on this piece. The guitar sound is beautiful, but so uniform. It like a piano compared to a harpsichord on the same piece, completely different experience. And yes the guitar does sound Spanish.
Really evident here that the lute is the guitar's great-grandpappy. Speaking also as an experienced guitarist, in terms of tone, I've been enamored with the lute lately, because I find its tone charming and bright. The guitar is like a lovely, warm dark chocolate. Rich and lively in tone too, it's just different. Wonderful playing too! :)
As a person who loves John Dowland and music from around that time I personally prefer the lute version, but it doesn't meant that the guitar versions isn't amazing, it sure is. But the lute has always had a special place in my heart, so already there it has "won" for me. I sure look forward to be able to enjoy both versions of the piece in the future! Thank you for another great and informative video!
Tie. I also play classical guitar without nails, by the way, which is how the great Francisco Tarrega played and recommended his students play. I don’t actually have much choice in the matter since my main instrument is the piano, which requires short nails, but I do prefer the sound of flesh. (A really good nails player such as John Williams will vary the ratio of nails-to-flesh by turning his fingers.) I also prefer the right hand placed over the sound hole for the default position.
Love the sound of the Lute. Been listening to Hopkinson Smith playing JS Bachs transcribed partitas. The lute has such an ancient romantic sound. However, I could easily listen to those same partitas with a guitar. Nice video.
Loved this video. I had never seen a direct comparison of the Lute and Guitar. I found it so interesting and educational. I love the sound of both of them and enjoy hearing the unique quality of each.
Thank you for this video. I’ve played classical guitar since I was 10 but I’m not nearly so talented. I love the softness of classical guitar, I can listen to it forever whereas acoustic guitars, though beautiful in their own right, tend to sound harsh, and other string instruments like dulcimers and banjos, though I love them, I cannot listen to them for long because the tinniness starts to get on my nerves. The lute is special in its own right. I became interested in it as I’m writing a novel with a lute player in it. I feel like the lute has the sound of silvery raindrops. It’s fuller than the classical guitar, and well suited for the music that was written for it. I still favor the classical guitar as a whole though. I think it would be interesting to compare the two with a more modern style of playing. Guitars are, in my opinion, one of the most versatile instruments as far as the ability to play any style of music of any period quite well.
Kind of reminds me of the harpsichord vs the modern day piano. The counterpoint typically stands out more on the harpsichord while the piano offers more nuance. It comes down to personal taste...I would rather listen to Gould play Bach on the piano than any harpisocordist I’ve come across even though I enjoy harpsichord music from time to time. Regarding nylon guitar vs lute, sometimes I’m in the mood more for Lute depending on the performer and the music being played, other times the guitar wins out. In this instance I definitely preferred the Lute
Great video! In fact, all your videos are just great. Not only in terms of use of time, sound and ambience, but also with regards to the systematic, synthetic and didactic approach, let alone the excellent pronunciation and, say, Oxford-ish vocabulary. In short, a hit or miss for guitar lovers and players!
Whenever I listen to this piece, I can't help but think of the time Julian Bream played it for stravinsky. It makes me laugh at how awkward he was, and now it also carries a sense of sadness with it as well.
As a former lute fanatic and someone who looks with a jaundiced eye on the artificial construct which is the modern classical guitar, I have to say you did the lute justice here, and I am relieved. Ever since Segovia artificially sundered the Spanish guitar into two worlds, there has been a devolution of the conception of classical guitar tone toward smoothness and darkness. Oh true, it is not universal, and there are thankfully outliers who refuse to go along. But I think the effects of this conception of tone can be seen in how modern makers make "Torres" model guitars. When you compare the sound of an original to a modern copy, the modern copy always sounds more like a modern classical guitar. Keep your fingertips soft! Eucerin was a good option back in the old days (the 1990s), in case you haven't heard of it. I wish you continued success.
If I had to transpose this comparison into the keybord instruments world, I'd say the difference is similar to the one you'd have between a harpsichord and a pianoforte. Just my own feeling ! (I'm not a musician but I love ancient music and "world" music). But whatever string instrument, your playing is always so inspired and elegant ! Thank you so much for sharing all that beauty with the world ! :-)
I have no musical education whatever: to me, the lute sometimes sounds like a series of notes, and I find it hard to hear the flow of music, whereas the guitar works more as a stream of sound. I had at first thought it was that the guitar sustained notes longer, but I'm not sure of that. It is the other way of looking at what you call the clarity of the lute and the muddiness of the guitar, which I can certainly see: but since I don't have the education to put the notes together in my mind, I need a thick helping of gravy to bring it together. Thank you: a pleasure, and instructive.
For me the lute has automatically a medieval vibe to me. It transports me to another time or into a fairy tale world. The warm sound of the guitar transports me to the south of spain of course where the flamenco originates from.
Dear Brandon: Thank you so much for putting out such a beautiful, wonderful and informative video! Regarding my feelings on Lute vs. Guitar, I would say that each instrument is a whole, complete universe unto itself, and even though there are many similarities and parallels that can be drawn between the two instruments, when it comes to their overall musical expression, comparing them would be kind of like comparing apples and oranges - they're really totally different. Each is totally beautiful unto itself. What your video really brought home to me was that the old Renaissance lute music really needs to be revived and brought back into popularity.
Each instrument has its features and tone characteristics. When played by an expert musician, both versions of the piece sound great 😁 But because it has been written for the lute, it sorts of sounds "better" on the lute.
Maybe this is not the exact way of putting it, but the guitar is more focused on the absolute musical structure and relationship of the notes, like a solo singer emphasizing the melody, the lute plays around the structure in being more loose creates more longing, it has more depth like an ensemble. The lute is the longing for a choir to rip onto the scene and explore the depths with it
Each instrument has it's own advantages and nuanses over each other. I can hardly tell which one is the best. I love lute version as more "authentic", but guitar one is not the worst. It's just other sound. Thank you so much for the amazing performance of this beatiful peace and opportunity to compare.
@@BIZEB excellent idea! Halfling Bard- OR you could tweak the rules so that instead of rolling, he only needs to play it irl to prove that his character could in game. Might be a little OP when he‘s so good tho ha
Bravo. Who won…??We did! I don’t play but would love to. At 63 it’s too late for me. But listening and dreaming ALMOST gets me there. Thankyou very much
By popular demand, you can now purchase my guitar tab edition of this piece (including my ornamentation) arpeggiato.com/music-arrangements/
Dowland wrote the piece for lute presumably with a particular sound in mind. It’s a wonderful piece so of course it sounds good on a guitar, having its own unique flavor on the instrument. You could do the same thing on a kazoo though. It’s a lute piece and sounds best there
Funfact, guitars are not flat. Try having two guitar backs touch each other
To me the chords of the Lute need to be tuned better, it's too ringing and annoying, maybe the chord sounds better if it's minor, the major chord sound too ringing.
Huge props to John Dowland for writing a hit back in 1595 that's still popular over four and a quarter centuries later.
Wish I could convey the beauty of Indian Classical music which has been there for time immemorial. Way before any other religion. This music and the Indian classical music do not overlap anywhere they are very different....Just for the general information.
@@thskendjeo134 Is there something you can recommend?
@@fenhen Sure! It requires at least some knowledge on the listeners part but still. To recommend a few is like choosing from an ocean...but here you go...try atleast one from each category and notice that they start with a slow pace and gradually the pace increases. It includes various instruments as well as vocal. They are all playing the same music pieces called Raag invented many thousand years ago at least.. Instruments include sitar, sarod, surbahar, rudra veena. Go to my channel and find the playlist named indian classical various. Please do listen to Pt. Bhimsen Joshi miya ki Malhar I have added in the playlist it is 6 minutes long. In this single piece is conveyed the whole of the Indian classical.
@@thskendjeo134 don't care
Dude was a rockstar.
Of course he'd say he's less experienced with the lute to cover his secret vampire status. He obviously had played it since its conception, with his experience with guitars being less than the lute. :)
69th like
Not sure he's a vampire since we have seen him play outside in daylight. One of those instruments may be hiding a sword though so he probably is immortal. Has anyone seen any katana wielding Scotsman around him?
Well a lot of legends claim that a vampire can be in day light as long as they feed, I like to believe he's a classy vampire bard lulling his victims with enchanting tones. The glasses are a clever trick to make him seem less menacing.
@@Vales55 Daylight vampire exist in movies.
@@Vales55 Factor 1000 suncream ! That's how I get around going out in daylight. Vampires have never had it so good, modern technology has allowed many sangrophiles to explore the daylight.
The lute sounds like I've walked into a medieval Inn. The guitar sounds like I'm drinking my sorrows away in a dark corner in said medieval Inn.
The Medieval Walk Inn?
me when I make up shit in the comment section for social points.
@@Whatismusic123 what is music
The lute sounds like I'm in Hampton Court circa 1550 and the guitar sounds like I'm in the Court of Ferdinand and Isabella. In either case, it is melancholy and beautiful.
@@cindyj5522My thought also. The guitar is slightly closer to the equator. 🌍
For me, it’s like comparing one’s love for your mother and one’s love for your wife. Both are beautiful. Great presentation.
Don't tell them which one is the round fat one.
@@robcat2075 come on dude. She's just pregnant
This is one of the greatest comment threads of all time
Both the guitar and lute should be appreciated for their own qualities. What a beautifully prepared lesson, Brandon! 🌞
Rob MacKillop has a version on a steel-string which is worth a listen too.
Makes me curious what it'd sound like on a 12-string.
everything *is* better with more strings
The Lute has a sound all it's own.
I’m just here because my third grader asked me what a lute was from his phonics flash cards. Yeah, call me sophisticated.
That's it, I'm sold on the lute. It sounds a little bit richer and "crispier" (banjo-like or not) vs a warmer sound of a guitar. I was into classic Spanish music for a while there, but a change into Baroque would be equally nice and pleasant as well. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge between the two.
I enjoy the lute version a little better. It has such an authentic and pure sound to it and a much fuller sound. Great job, loving your channel.
Yes, I agree.
Yeah, I think a lute works much better as a standalone instrument. But the guitar would probably be the better choice in an arrangement with other instruments.
It’s hard to compete with those extra strings. 12 string guitars are _amazing._
If you haven’t heard it I’ll ready I recommend listening to Ocean by John Butler (look specifically for the “Max session” version!).
According to me it’s one of the most amazing guitar solos of all time.
I prefer the sound of the guitar, the lute was almost too penetrating a sound for me ,then, on an iPad ! how can you ask us this, with our silly sound producers and our worn out ears ?
I do *not* think the lute has a "fuller" sound. However that's why I like it. I think most people like it more because it is not only different, but sounds truer to Renaissance times.
I like the lute version. Lute tone carries astounding mid-age melancholy beneath the struck melody that the classical guitar can't mimic. They are just two different instruments with each own territory disallowing an invasion. This piece situates on the land of Lute. Great work Brandon!
No need for a winner, both instruments sound lovely. Really enjoyed your elaboration.
For me there's no contest: my ears are the winners
Very interesting! I preferred the lute; there was something almost magical about it. You should try this with a piece originally written for guitar and see if that changes things.
You want to know why you enjoyed the lute better? The piece was made for the lute. The lute was made to work well with high notes. I love what the guitar did for the piece that the lute couldn’t, but the piece had way more high notes than low notes. The double strings helps push the higher notes. I remember when he said that the lute had an extra low note but when he played it I barely could hear it. The song is meant for something that does high well.
Finally the age old debate will be settled
I wonder how a lute/guitar duet of this song would sound like...
The clarity of the lute really fits this piece best.
I like the lute version better. The guitar version makes the piece sound more Spanish. Maybe more 19th century sounding. The lute version sounds more 17th century. Very well played!
I had the same impression with the Spanish thing. I feel that the quality and complexity of the guitar is a step above the lute, technically, because of it being a more modern instrument. But playing the piece written for lute with the guitar I think loses it's charm and character here. It's like the harpsichord to the piano, and there are just music specifically made for they're own
@@Zeemas What is it about the guitar that is more modern?
I'm delighted that your ears hear the same thing mine do. I hear the same time period between them but from different countries with different approaches to playing the same instruments and style of composition.
Thanks, I was trying to explain why I prefer the lute version, even though I could listen to both versions endlessly. But the lute does have the 17th Century sound.
I think I prefer the lute, however, if I came upon the guitar version only, I’d still hear the beauty of this music. Wonderful playing Brandon, and terrific video!
I have loved both the Lute and Guitar for over 60 years and I think you play each beautifully. I think both instruments won in this showdown because they can be individually selected for the different musical desires of the moment. Thank you and I will find your full videos and enjoy both.
As a lutenist, I can definitely say your guitar playing is more confident than your lute playing, however, you are still a better lutenist than I am :) Personally I find that because of the doubled courses, the lute flows better than the guitar (specifically in this piece, I do not generalize here), and the silvery, almost ephemeral sound of the lute makes it my preference. That being said both are beautiful, and I am definitely biased towards the instrument I play.
Hey friends, you can meet me on Zoom tomorrow for a group masterclass! Very affordable tickets available here: arpeggiato.com/events/
See you then!
Brandon
Can make a video playing my favorite classical piece? It’s Chopin’s prelude in e minor, op 28 no4. That would be wonderful to hear on a plucked instrument if that would be possible!
@@Ethan_Frost I know I'm being kind of pedantic but it's a prelude lol
@@max64358 whoops, thanks for that!
Much as I love Brandon’s guitar, I think the win goes to the lute. On guitar, the piece is beautiful, but on the lute it is exquisite!
@@Ethan_Frost Hey, I just posted a recording of it on my page in case Brandon doesn't get around to it.
That lute is dreamy, makes sense that the piece would sound better on that instrument as opposed to the guitar. It's apples and oranges and you can't really compare them but you can appreciate the two resonant perspectives.
It's always great to see/hear someone doing something they love.
You make the guitar sound like the lute, how absolutely wonderful, most guitarist just cannot play with those subtle nuances needed for lute music.
Both lute and guitar versions are beautiful in their own distinctive ways. I think the comparison of the two is much like the comparison between harpsichord and piano. The guitar seems to have the potential for more dynamic finesse than the lute. I would like to hear a piece written for two lutes played on one lute, one guitar. It would be interesting to see how the two instruments blend and enhance eachother.
Maybe a little late to this conversation, I do love both, but the guitar feels so homey to me. I feel warm and safe with the guitar. The lute feels like an ethereal fay thing outside our world. Obviously I’m sure someone who grew up around lutes would feel different :)
When it comes to guitar playing you are for sure my biggest inspiriation. Had to say it after like 50 videos of you i watched for sure. Love you Brandon
As a Guitarist / Lutenist, I say well done to bringing forth the love of these two sister instruments. Bravo.
'perhapes my lute playing hasn't caught up to my guitar playing yet' ... Plays Lute beautifully :D. You are one of the humblest human beings out there.
If brandon had lived through the middle ages he'll be considered as one of the greatest bards ever
Absolutely. I wonder if he had reached his current level back then. Educational possibilities have sky-rocketed the last decades alone.
Nope. Needed for THIS era.
He *DID* live through the middle ages, lol...you might not be aware of it but here in the comments we often discuss how Brandon is actually a vampire and is 100's of years old, explaining his amazing musical aptitude, especially for older instruments like the Lute...scan some comments on older posts and I'm sure you'll see what I mean 😁
@@robertcronin6603 yes. It suffices to watch one or two of his teaching videos to, as a man, first question your heterosexuality, and then realize you are being hypnotized - - through the freaking smartphone. Wearing shades helps, without having to deprive your days of every joy entirely.
However, I maintain that his remarkable skills on these instruments mostly stem from more recent times (as he even kind of gives away in this very video at 4:27).
"""If"""
When I did the guitar Grade 8 (UK) I realised that the only pieces in the repertoir I loved (Dowland up to Weiss) were written for lute. So I bought a couple of lutes, and played them accordingly. I still have a couple of classical guitars, but I wouldn't play Dowland on them.,
Thanks Brandon for your great care in preparing this video. Both instruments sound beautiful, and I can't choose between them. But your comments will help my non musician's ear to listen more closely.
Upon hearing the lute, I am spanked with sparkle and caressed with a silvery tongue darting hither and thither. The guitar goes down low and hums in a special baritone bramble; soothing my spindly calves with a buttery resonance. Bravo!!
These instruments are so beautiful. I love them both and think it’s so cool to see someone proficient in them.
I don't know why there needs to be a winner. They're both beautiful.
I didn't even watch, but just liked the video because I totally support what you do , you're such a talented dude and so clever .
I love this because it allows me to listen to Lacrimae Pavan over and over again without having to restart it😊
Wow !... As a huge lute (and oud) lover, I almost felt disappointed to love this guitar so much, lol. It has such a deep, warm velvety resonance, that the lute almost sounds "dry" in comparison ! 😕 ... 😄 Another great video, thank you so much !
Wow!
You are a great musician and teacher Brandon.
Thank you
I love the Lute and never knew why until you explained the double strings, thanks Brandon a 60 year old mystery solved for me.
Hi, can you explain why, please ?
@@thierrynakache The mystery was why the Lute sounds so beautiful, Brandon explained about the instrument having double strings.
Thank you. As a guitarist, I have always loved the sound of the lute. Your comments were tasteful and insightful.
The sound from the lute comes off as a little scratchy and the guitar sounds more full because of the marriage of both treble and bass tones. You really are awesome for playing both instruments so fluidly 😊
Hi Brandon, Bravo for this cleverly done comparison between the lute and classical guitar. You are an incredibly talented and skilled HIP on both of these instruments. What impresses me the most is your humble approach to teaching skills and the manner in which you present your lessons and demonstrations. I absolutely love it. Congratulations!
The bass line of the piece is very simple, so all the story is carried by the high notes. Because of that my feeling is that this piece sounds better on the lute. Incredible playing and wonderful production. Your work is a huge gift to humanity!!!❤
Loved both; loved your playing. One thing not mentioned: as a multi-instrumentalist and sometime composer, I find that the particular instrument the music is composed on strongly influences the choices of notes and harmonies. The lute has more sharpness of attack than that particular guitar, especially in the bass. That allows for quicker runs and ornaments in the bass range on the lute. If this were written on guitar, with as deep a bass as yours, perhaps the deeper notes would have been written more sparingly, allowing for the treble to stand out more compared to the bass.
the absolute mastery of your playing cannot be over stated. I found your channel many years ago, and never cease to enjoy it. I have played a few different instruments throughout my life, and am now embarking on learning to play the Renaissance Lute. thankyou for all that you do.
I wish more early musicians would do this. Having started out on guitar 50+ years ago I, too, tuned mine down and put a capo on it to perform lute music before eventually having a lute on which to perform these and other pieces. This is such a wonderful and insightful comparison. Thank you and looking forward to the "full" version!
What I find is that the lute sounds much more intimate, as if it's playing right in front of me, whereas the guitar sounds as if it came from the back of a cathedral.
To me that just reemphasizes that they are different instruments with different use cases. The Renaissance lute is more of a chamber instrument, whereas the guitar tries to be a jack of more trades, being a large concert instrument too.
My preference in general is the lute, yes I'm biased because I play the lute and prefer the repertoire.
Now I'd like to see the theorbo compared to the classical guitar. Concert instrument vs concert instrument (though one is mostly basso continuo, the other the main event in a concert).
I play both, though neither as well as Mr Acker of course. @nextlifeonearth has hit the nail on the head, for me. The Renaissance Lute (our name for it of course, not Dowland's or any of the other people playing at the same time as him) was made for intimacy - a few people listening or playing with a (very) small number of other instruments. I play at a place called Dyrham Park in England, in the Great Hall no less, and the lute is a little humbled by the space. A classical guitar in the right hands can hold its own without amplification against a symphony orchestra in a concert hall. It projects better, and can produce greater volume than the lute with the same effort in the plucking. Pluck the lute too hard and it begins to lose the quality which makes it beautiful - the delicacy, the enchantment, the translucency, and, yes, the intimacy - all of which, for me, is, in the right context, why the lute wears its music perfectly, whereas, good as it is, the guitar can only approximate that. On the other hand, try doing, say, the Concierto de Aranjuez on a lute, and you will soon run into a lot of difficulties which will make you wish you hadn't started. I speak from personal experience here - and I never tried playing the CdA in public, it would have been too embarrassing. So that's my tuppence worth (tuppence=2p or 2c in the US and elsewhere) FWIW, thanks for listening, as it were
This piece gives me those weepy Renaissance blues. Tears in my wine goblet.
I must add to my comment below, that your sense of phrasing and agogic accent is so devine that it transports us to another time. The comparison is brilliant, and they both sound so individually unique. You are a master at this, and it inspires me every time I listen to you play.
To hear both in combination would be lovely .The two bring a full spectrum of bright and warmness that would be pleasing to the ears.
I've never in my life heard a cover such close to the original. This is perfection. I can only dream of one day singing as well as you. I wish you all the best ❤
Oh, the beauty of both! But while they're undeniably very different even here, my impression is that you're playing the guitar with a capo, and adopting the lute-playing position for the right hand, brings them closer together. Put differently, and it definitely is a compliment, I've rarely if ever heard a classical guitar sound so "renaissance". Thank you Brandon!
Beautiful music, thank you for sharing this! I feel drawn to the lute version for the “original intent” reason and the clarity/doubled strings that creates a rich, relaxing atmosphere. But having never knowingly heard the lute before I was immediately surprised by how similar they sounded, given your matching the gut strings and the playing technique.
I just love the attack and timbre of the lute as the sound decays almost going mettallic on this piece. The guitar sound is beautiful, but so uniform. It like a piano compared to a harpsichord on the same piece, completely different experience. And yes the guitar does sound Spanish.
The classical guitar is not “uniform” if you don’t play it uniformly. The classical is easily capable of a great variety of sound and expression.
Really evident here that the lute is the guitar's great-grandpappy.
Speaking also as an experienced guitarist, in terms of tone, I've been enamored with the lute lately, because I find its tone charming and bright.
The guitar is like a lovely, warm dark chocolate. Rich and lively in tone too, it's just different. Wonderful playing too! :)
Brandon, you’re awesome! Love your channel, incredible musician. 🙏
Have enjoyed today sensing your devotion to both of these instruments. Very cool and inspiring! Merci, du Quebec!
dang that hit me really good, such a gorgeous piece on both instruents.
Thank you Brandon for that beautiful exploration. It made me love both instruments more. I really enjoyed it... -just lovely Thank you :)
Thank you!
As a person who loves John Dowland and music from around that time I personally prefer the lute version, but it doesn't meant that the guitar versions isn't amazing, it sure is. But the lute has always had a special place in my heart, so already there it has "won" for me. I sure look forward to be able to enjoy both versions of the piece in the future! Thank you for another great and informative video!
Tie. I also play classical guitar without nails, by the way, which is how the great Francisco Tarrega played and recommended his students play. I don’t actually have much choice in the matter since my main instrument is the piano, which requires short nails, but I do prefer the sound of flesh. (A really good nails player such as John Williams will vary the ratio of nails-to-flesh by turning his fingers.) I also prefer the right hand placed over the sound hole for the default position.
Simply beautiful. Magical and mesmerizing.
This guy is doing such great work. ❤
Thanks!
thank you very much. as a prog rock drummer/multi-instrumentalist it is very treasured to hear!
Love the sound of the Lute. Been listening to Hopkinson Smith playing JS Bachs transcribed partitas. The lute has such an ancient romantic sound. However, I could easily listen to those same partitas with a guitar. Nice video.
Loved this video. I had never seen a direct comparison of the Lute and Guitar. I found it so interesting and educational. I love the sound of both of them and enjoy hearing the unique quality of each.
Thank you for this video. I’ve played classical guitar since I was 10 but I’m not nearly so talented. I love the softness of classical guitar, I can listen to it forever whereas acoustic guitars, though beautiful in their own right, tend to sound harsh, and other string instruments like dulcimers and banjos, though I love them, I cannot listen to them for long because the tinniness starts to get on my nerves.
The lute is special in its own right. I became interested in it as I’m writing a novel with a lute player in it. I feel like the lute has the sound of silvery raindrops. It’s fuller than the classical guitar, and well suited for the music that was written for it.
I still favor the classical guitar as a whole though. I think it would be interesting to compare the two with a more modern style of playing. Guitars are, in my opinion, one of the most versatile instruments as far as the ability to play any style of music of any period quite well.
Kind of reminds me of the harpsichord vs the modern day piano. The counterpoint typically stands out more on the harpsichord while the piano offers more nuance. It comes down to personal taste...I would rather listen to Gould play Bach on the piano than any harpisocordist I’ve come across even though I enjoy harpsichord music from time to time. Regarding nylon guitar vs lute, sometimes I’m in the mood more for Lute depending on the performer and the music being played, other times the guitar wins out. In this instance I definitely preferred the Lute
Great video! In fact, all your videos are just great. Not only in terms of use of time, sound and ambience, but also with regards to the systematic, synthetic and didactic approach, let alone the excellent pronunciation and, say, Oxford-ish vocabulary. In short, a hit or miss for guitar lovers and players!
I think we all agree that the real brandon acker is a guy that has no beard and he wears a white shirt and is like a plucked instruments magician.
Odd comment...🤔
@@robertcronin6603 Idk but I get it.
I liked the beard
@@jonathankrieger9121 I never said I didn't. But the guy in this video is the classic acker
Yeah this is the image of him that I'm used to 😅
Thankyou immensely for explaining how to make your guitar a lute. I could possibly find myself playing some medieval song now
Whenever I listen to this piece, I can't help but think of the time Julian Bream played it for stravinsky. It makes me laugh at how awkward he was, and now it also carries a sense of sadness with it as well.
As a former lute fanatic and someone who looks with a jaundiced eye on the artificial construct which is the modern classical guitar, I have to say you did the lute justice here, and I am relieved.
Ever since Segovia artificially sundered the Spanish guitar into two worlds, there has been a devolution of the conception of classical guitar tone toward smoothness and darkness. Oh true, it is not universal, and there are thankfully outliers who refuse to go along. But I think the effects of this conception of tone can be seen in how modern makers make "Torres" model guitars. When you compare the sound of an original to a modern copy, the modern copy always sounds more like a modern classical guitar.
Keep your fingertips soft! Eucerin was a good option back in the old days (the 1990s), in case you haven't heard of it. I wish you continued success.
If I had to transpose this comparison into the keybord instruments world, I'd say the difference is similar to the one you'd have between a harpsichord and a pianoforte. Just my own feeling ! (I'm not a musician but I love ancient music and "world" music). But whatever string instrument, your playing is always so inspired and elegant ! Thank you so much for sharing all that beauty with the world ! :-)
I have no musical education whatever: to me, the lute sometimes sounds like a series of notes, and I find it hard to hear the flow of music, whereas the guitar works more as a stream of sound. I had at first thought it was that the guitar sustained notes longer, but I'm not sure of that. It is the other way of looking at what you call the clarity of the lute and the muddiness of the guitar, which I can certainly see: but since I don't have the education to put the notes together in my mind, I need a thick helping of gravy to bring it together. Thank you: a pleasure, and instructive.
I’ve been watching this UA-cam channel since I re started playing classical guitar after 15+ years. It became my favourite channel on the topic 👌🏼
For me the lute has automatically a medieval vibe to me. It transports me to another time or into a fairy tale world. The warm sound of the guitar transports me to the south of spain of course where the flamenco originates from.
Dear Brandon: Thank you so much for putting out such a beautiful, wonderful and informative video! Regarding my feelings on Lute vs. Guitar, I would say that each instrument is a whole, complete universe unto itself, and even though there are many similarities and parallels that can be drawn between the two instruments, when it comes to their overall musical expression, comparing them would be kind of like comparing apples and oranges - they're really totally different. Each is totally beautiful unto itself. What your video really brought home to me was that the old Renaissance lute music really needs to be revived and brought back into popularity.
Can’t wait to see you at the masterclass tomorrow! 😁
Dowland and Acker are very impressive musicians.
This video is so great!
The piece sounded wonderful on both instruments.
I also wanted to compliment the ornamentation - the best I've ever heard. A revelation.
Superb, Brandon! And your video production values are soaring!
And the winner is..... The guitar in my view.thanks for sharing.
Each instrument has its features and tone characteristics. When played by an expert musician, both versions of the piece sound great 😁 But because it has been written for the lute, it sorts of sounds "better" on the lute.
Brandon, I love this! I am enjoying the Lute very much. Thank you!👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you, Brandon. You are a true Bard.
There doesn’t have to be a “winner”. Each instrument has its own character and its own beauty. But thank you for this comparison.
For this particular piece I definitely prefer the lute! But anything played by Brandon is great!
You are so good to play and speak about the sounds. - I understand and hear…. Like You and both.
Your presentation is wonderful.
Maybe this is not the exact way of putting it, but the guitar is more focused on the absolute musical structure and relationship of the notes, like a solo singer emphasizing the melody, the lute plays around the structure in being more loose creates more longing, it has more depth like an ensemble. The lute is the longing for a choir to rip onto the scene and explore the depths with it
Buena comparativa entre estos dos instrumentos con tan excelente pieza. Muchas gracias por el video Brandon.
For this song the lute is better, for me is more magical.
Each instrument has it's own advantages and nuanses over each other. I can hardly tell which one is the best. I love lute version as more "authentic", but guitar one is not the worst. It's just other sound.
Thank you so much for the amazing performance of this beatiful peace and opportunity to compare.
I would love to hear an arrangement with both instruments playing together.
completly off topic, but I would really like to see him playing a Bard at a D&D session.
y e s .
Dude couldn’t play a natural 1 on a performance check tho.
Vampire bard!
@@zorgzev96 Go Halfling!
@@BIZEB excellent idea! Halfling Bard- OR you could tweak the rules so that instead of rolling, he only needs to play it irl to prove that his character could in game. Might be a little OP when he‘s so good tho ha
The content on Brandon's channel only gets better
Bravo. Who won…??We did! I don’t play but would love to. At 63 it’s too late for me. But listening and dreaming ALMOST gets me there. Thankyou very much
The lute makes me feel that I have lived before this life I love it.