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theorbo
EntityQ840920· pop 35· linked from 372 articles

Also known as theorbe

The theorbo is a plucked string instrument of the lute family, with an extended neck that houses the second pegbox. Like a lute, a theorbo has a curved-back sound box with a flat top, typically with one or three sound holes decorated with rosettes. As with the lute, the player plucks or strums the strings with the right hand while "fretting" (pressing down) the strings with the left hand.

Key facts

Instrument.name
Theorbo
Instrument.names
chitarrone, theorbo lute; fr: téorbe, théorbe, tuorbe; de: Theorbe; it: tiorba, tuorba
Instrument.image
Theorbo-ref-white.jpg
Instrument.classification
Necked bowl lutes String instruments
Instrument.related
Angélique Archlute Chitarra Italiana Bouzouki Lute Oud Pandura Theorbo Tambouras Tiorbino Torban

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Wikidata facts

Image
Barocktheorbe Martin Hoffmann ed.JPG
Show 2 more facts
Commons category
Theorbos
Hornbostel-Sachs classification
321.321-5
Sources (1)

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Article

16 sections
Contents
  • Origin and development
  • Tuning and strings
  • Regional differences
  • Italy
  • England
  • France
  • Germany
  • Ukraine, Poland and Russia
  • Technique
  • Solo repertoire
  • Continuo
  • Composers
  • Contemporary players
  • References
  • Sources
  • External links

The theorbo is a plucked string instrument of the lute family, with an extended neck that houses the second pegbox. Like a lute, a theorbo has a curved-back sound box with a flat top, typically with one or three sound holes decorated with rosettes. As with the lute, the player plucks or strums the strings with the right hand while "fretting" (pressing down) the strings with the left hand.

The theorbo is related to the liuto attiorbato, the French '', the archlute, the German baroque lute, and the angélique (or angelica''). A theorbo differs from a regular lute in its re-entrant tuning in which the first two strings are tuned an octave lower. The theorbo was used during the Baroque music era (1600–1750) to play basso continuo accompaniment parts (as part of the basso continuo group, which often included harpsichord, pipe organ and bass instruments), and also as a solo instrument. It has a range similar to that of cello.

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