Notational systems and practices for the lute, vihuela and guitar from the Renaissance to the present day

Discussion in this dissertation is directed toward the lute, vihuela and guitar's notational systems and practices: chapters two, three, four, and five are concerned with the stylistic changes in the notations. The history of the tablatures is presented in a paralled fashion with that of the four-course and five-course guitars. An attempt is made to eliminate the guitarist's lack of knowledge about most practices and about subtle differences in performance. This is accomplished by presenting the development of these notations from the Renaissance to the present day.This study is concerned with the mastery and understanding of notation. After an introduction, the second chapter discusses three main tablatures for the lute and vihuela. It is important to confine oneself to the tablatures, in order that they be throughly understood. Thusthe third chapter deals with ornamentations, the fourth chapter with four-course, five course, six-course and six-string guitar notations, and the fifth chapter encompasses progressive notationfor the modern guitar. Systems for folk and commercial music are not addressed in this paper.The author hopes that with the use of this dissertation, tablatures can be handled with less difficulty and put into proper perspective. Careful thought has been given in selecting representative examples and notational literature excerpts as illustrations for the reader and/or performer. These examples need not only be studied but can be used as preparation for any other related composition. The purpose of this study is to supply teachers, students, and guitarists with a ready-reference guide to the notational practices for the lute, vihuela and guitar, a subject previously shrouded in confusion.School of MusicThesis (D.A.