Tag: lute

Gifts

Lute Gifts: Shirts, Mugs, Totes, Music, Accessories

by musician on September 16, 2015

Lute Gifts

Find the best gifts and accessories for lute players and enthusiasts. Shop for classical and contemporary music, T-shirts, posters, coffee mugs, buttons, computer mouse pads, colorful postcards, cooking aprons, trucker hats, refrigerator magnets, cotton canvas tote bags, and more unique lute gifts.

Angel Playing Lute

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, The Golden Legend (1851)
The lute’s soft voice, like angels’ breath,
Sings of life and conquers death.

Self-Portrait as a Lute Player

Italian Baroque Painter Artemisia Gentileschi

Self-Portrait as a Lute Player Art Print Printed on Thick Satin Photo Paper

Lute Music

Lute music has been a crowd pleaser for centuries—since 13th century Europe to be exact. These music selections are some of our favorites for easy listening and relaxation. Give the gift of music.

Early Venetian Lute Music Vivaldi: Mandolin and Lute Concertos

Alla Venetiana – Early 16th Century Venetian Lute Music – Paul O’Dette A Lute by Sixtus Rauwolf: French and German Baroque Music – Jakob Lindberg

Lute Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans, including unique gifts for your favorite lute player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our Lute Shirts and Gifts collection.

Lute Elegant Scrolled Heart

This bold design features an ornate, scrolled heart with the word “Music” elegantly nestled at its center, symbolizing the passion and soul of lute melodies. Flanking the base of the heart are two more scrolls, creating an eye-catching composition. Below, the word “Lute” stands out in bold, confident lettering, making a proud statement. With its robust graphic style, this design is perfect for anyone who wants to wear their love for the lute with pride and flair. Visit the Lute Shirts and Gifts collection:

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans T-Shirt Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans T-Shirt

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Premium Tri-Blend T-Shirt Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Premium Tri-Blend T-Shirt

Womens Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans V-Neck T-Shirt Womens Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans V-Neck T-Shirt

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Tank Top Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Tank Top

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Raglan Baseball Tee Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Raglan Baseball Tee

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Long Sleeve T-Shirt Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Sweatshirt Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Sweatshirt

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Pullover Hoodie Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Pullover Hoodie

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Khaki Color Tote Bag Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Khaki Color Throw Pillow

Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Denim Color Tote Bag Music Lover Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Fans Denim Color Throw Pillow

Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Lovers Music Theme T-Shirt Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Lovers Music Theme Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Lovers Music Theme Long Sleeve T-Shirt Elegant Scrolled Heart for Lute Lovers Music Theme T-Shirt

Lute Shirts

Shirts are a great gift for musicians and music lovers. Choose from dozens of styles and colors, in sizes for everyone from infants to adults. Click on any design to see what’s available.

Saint Cecilia and the Angel by Carlo Saraceni Lute T-Shirt Musician Angel Playing Lute by Rosso Fiorentino T-Shirt

Cats and Dogs Easily Distracted by Lute Players

Here are some designs for animal lovers who are easily distracted by the sound of lute players. Choose from playful cats and dogs in a variety of styles, colors, and sizes for the whole family.

Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes T-Shirt Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes T-Shirt

Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Long Sleeve T-Shirt Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Long Sleeve T-Shirt

The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute

Who are the coolest people on earth? Lute players, of course! Spread the word about this cool string instrument. Makes a great gift for any music student, music teacher, or lutenist.

The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument T-Shirt The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument Long Sleeve T-Shirt

The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument Raglan Baseball Tee The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument Pullover Hoodie

The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument T-Shirt The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument Raglan T-Shirt

Double Bass Clef Heart I Love Playing My Lute

This lute design features a symmetrical heart formed by two mirrored bass clefs that face each other, their elegant scrolls meeting perfectly at the center to create a unified heart shape.

Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician T-Shirt Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician T-Shirt

Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician Pullover Hoodie Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician Pullover Hoodie

Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Music Notes T-Shirt Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Music Notes T-Shirt

First Coffee, Then Lute

Caffeine loving lute players and fans will love to wear these shirts. Whimsical designs feature a large mug of hot coffee.

First Coffee Then Lute Baroque Music Lover Musician Lutenist T-Shirt First Coffee Then Lute Baroque Music Lover Musician Lutenist Long Sleeve T-Shirt

Lute Trucker Hats

Lute trucker hats are available in eleven color choices. Hats feature a 100% polyester foam front and a 100% nylon mesh back to keep you cool. Trucker hats are adjustable from 17 to 24 inches.

Love Lute Pink Purple Butterfly Heart Music Notes Trucker Hat Lute Mixtape Retro Red Vintage Cassette Tape Trucker Hat

Lute Tote Bags

Versatile and durable cotton canvas tote bags are another practical gift idea for musicians. These designs are available in many style and color choices to please any lute player or enthusiast.

Funny Warning Sign May Start Talking About the Lute Tote Bag The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute String Instrument Tote Bag

Cat Easily Distracted By Lute Players Music Notes Tote Bag Dog Easily Distracted By Lute Players Music Notes Tote Bag

Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician Tote Bag Bass Clef Musical Heart I Love Playing My Lute Musician Tote Bag

First Coffee Then Lute Baroque Music Lover Musician Lutenist Tote Bag Funny Cat Playing Lute | Cool Animal Musician Lovers Gift Tote Bag

Lute Elegant Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Tote Bag Lute Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Customized Tote Bag

Cartoon Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Tote Bag Cartoon Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Tote Bag

The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute Tote Bag The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute Nebula Tote Bag

I Love Lute Yellow Orange Mandala Heart Tote Bag Double Bass Clef Heart Sheet Music Lute Tote Bag

Lute Coffee Mugs

Mugs are one of our favorite affordable lute gifts. Everyone can use a few mugs. Click on any mug to see how the design looks from different angles. Choose from many sizes, styles, and colors to create a personal gift for your favorite lutenist.

Other Lute Players and Me – Pole Dancing Rainbow Unicorn Mug Makes a Great Gift for Your Favorite Musician – Choose Mug Size – 11 or 15 ounce

Lute Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Customized Two-Tone Coffee Mug Copper Double Bass Clef Heart Lute Two-Tone Coffee Mug

Curious Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Coffee Mug Running Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Coffee Mug

I Love Lute Yellow Orange Mandala Heart Two-Tone Coffee Mug The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute Two-Tone Coffee Mug

First Coffee Then Lute Music Lover Two-Tone Coffee Mug Bass Clef Heart I Love Playing My Lute Two-Tone Coffee Mug

Bass Clef Heart Vintage Sheet Music Lute Coffee Mug Bass Clef Heart Purple Nebula Love Lute Coffee Mug

Lute Magnets

Here’s one of our favorite inexpensive gift ideas for lute players. Who doesn’t need a few refrigerator magnets? Standard size square magnets measure 2 by 2 inches, and round magnets are typically available in three sizes. Designs are printed on 100% recycled paper. Scratch and UV-resistant Mylar keeps magnets looking as good as new for many years to come.

Musician Angel Playing Lute by Rosso Fiorentino Square Magnet An Angel in Red with a Lute by Leonardo da Vinci Square Magnet

Lute Elegant Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Square Magnet Lute Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Customized Square Magnet

Curious Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Square Magnet Running Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Square Magnet

I Love Lute Yellow Orange Mandala Heart Square Magnet Double Bass Clef Heart Sheet Music Lute Square Magnet

Lute Postcards

If you’re looking for inexpensive lute gifts, colorful postcards are always one of our top picks. They’re great for keeping in touch with friends and family, and pretty enough to display. These measure 4.25 by 5.6 inches and are printed on ultra-heavyweight (120 lb.) card stock with a gloss finish.

Angel Musician by Melozzo da Forli Lute Player Postcard Melody by Kate Elizabeth Bunce Lute Player Postcard

Vintage Chinese Store Advertisement Lute Player Postcard Vintage Shanghai China Bank Ad Woman with Lute Postcard

Lute Mouse Pads

Lute-inspired mouse pads measure 9.25 by 7.75 inches, with a durable dust and stain resistant cloth cover. These mouse pad designs offer a welcome decorative touch for any desk or work space.

Musician Angel Playing Lute by Rosso Fiorentino Mouse Pad An Angel in Red with a Lute by Leonardo da Vinci Mouse Pad

Saint Cecilia and the Angel by Carlo Saraceni Lute Player Mouse Pad Angel Musician, Melozzo da Forli, Renaissance Art Lute Player Mouse Pad

Lute Chef Aprons

Classic cotton-poly twill blend aprons are another of our top picks for practical lute gifts. Choose from several style and color options. Spacious front pockets hold plenty of utensils and cooking tools. Aprons are machine washable and proudly made in the U.S.A.

Lute Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Customized Adult Chef Apron The Coolest People on Earth Play Lute Adult Chef Apron

Bass Clef Heart I Love Playing My Lute Adult Chef Apron Bass Clef Heart I Love Playing My Lute Adult Chef Apron

Lute Buttons

We love buttons because they’re an inexpensive and fun gift for music lovers. These standard size square buttons measure 2 inches by 2 inches. Designs are printed on 100% recycled paper and covered with scratch and UV-resistant Mylar. Some designs allow you to change the background color for a customized gift. Choose from a rainbow of vibrant hues.

Lute Elegant Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Square Button Lute Tulip Vintage Sheet Music Customized Square Button

Curious Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Square Button Running Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Square Button

I Love Lute Yellow Orange Mandala Heart Square Button Double Bass Clef Heart Sheet Music Lute Square Button

Lute Playing Cards

One of the most popular lute gifts is a set of playing cards. Each comes packaged in a cardboard box for easy gifting. Poker size cards measure 2.5 by 3.5 inches, with 52 playing cards and 2 jokers per deck. Click on any design to see the available options. Standard cards are printed on smooth card stock, and premium quality Bicycle playing cards are printed on durable semi-gloss card stock.

Curious Cat Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Playing Cards Running Dog Easily Distracted by Lute Players Music Notes Playing Cards

Woman Playing Lute

William Shakespeare (Henry III)
Take thy lute, wench: my soul grows sad with troubles;
Sing, and disperse ’em, if thou canst: leave working.

Master Luthier Ken Brodkey

17th Century Baroque Lute Music

Ken Brodkey built his first lute from a kit in 1976, while working on his music degree at Cal State Northridge (CSUN) in southern California. The project was so successful that he began an apprenticeship the following year. Not only does he play the instrument beautifully, he’s a respected luthier—a master lute builder.

Lute Gifts Collection

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Our Lute Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Lute Shirts and Gifts Collection

Lute Information

Learn more about this unique string instrument and find out where you can buy a lute online.

Shop for Lutes and Accessories

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This means that–at zero cost to you–we will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Roosebeck 8-Course Lute Strings RBSLT8 – Traditional Renaissance Tuning Recommended for this Set First Coffee Then Lute Baroque Music Lover Musician Lutenist Cotton T-Shirt – Lute Player Humor I’m Only In It for The Lute – Funny Lute Player Cotton T-Shirt- Baroque and Medieval Instrument Humor Berkin Arts Leonardo Da Vinci Stretched Giclee Print On Canvas – Angel in Red with Lute – 7.4 x 15 inches

Courtesies

Woman Playing Lute image by Clker-Free-Vector-Images

Stained Glass Window image by falco

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Sitar Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on September 1, 2015

Sitar Facts

The sitar is a plucked stringed instrument used in Hindustani and Indian classical music. The instrument descended from lutes and was also influenced by the veena, an ancient Indian instrument. The body is characterized by a long hollow neck and a gourd resonating chamber at the lower end. Teak wood or tun wood are commonly used for the neck and faceplate. The instrument looks a lot like the tanpura, except that it has frets.

Here are a few more sitar facts. This unique instrument has 18, 19, or 20 strings. Six or seven are played strings which run over curved, raised frets. The rest are sympathetic strings which run underneath the frets and resonate in sympathy with the played strings. The frets are movable, which allows fine tuning.

Deluxe Ravi Shankar Sitar

Rikhi Ram (The Original) Deluxe Ravi Shankar Sitar

More Sitar Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a sitarist. Notable sitarists include Pandit Nikhil Banerjee, Ashwin Batish, Anjan Chattopadhyay, Annapurna Devi, Reenat Fauzia, Lowell George (Little Feat), George Harrison (The Beatles), Justin Hayward (Moody Blues), Brian Jones (The Rolling Stones), Shri Premadasa Hegoda, Prem Joshua, Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan and The Khan Family, Al Gromer Khan, Gabby La La, Dr. Swarn Lata, Emily Robison (Dixie Chicks), Ravi Shankar and his daughter Anoushka Shankar, and Ronnie Wood (The Rolling Stones).

Beautiful Girl Playing Sitar

High-Quality Canvas Poster Print

Beautiful Girl Playing Sitar Vintage Poster Colorful High-Quality Canvas Print

The Sitar in Mainstream Pop Culture

Though highly popular in the Indian culture, the sitar gained fame on the worldwide stage when the Beatles featured the instrument in several of their compositions. Sitarist Ravi Shankar inspired lead guitarist George Harrison to play the instrument on the song “Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown),” written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney in 1965. “Love You To,” written and sung by George Harrison in 1966, was the first Beatles song to fully embrace Indian classical music.

George Harrison received one-on-one guidance from Ravi Shankar during a seven-week visit to India, which left a lasting impact on his musical style. He promoted Indian music for the remainder of his long and successful career.

Brian Jones played the instrument on The Rolling Stones 1966 hit “Paint It Black.” Another English guitarist, Dave Mason, played it on Traffic’s 1967 hits “Paper Sun” and “Hole in My Shoe.” Ravi Shankar described this pop song trend as “the great sitar explosion.”

Ravi Shankar
Pop changes week to week, month to month. But great music is like literature. The magic happens only when the artist serves with love and the listener receives with the same spirit.

Ravi Shankar Playing Sitar

High-Quality Canvas Poster Print

Indian Sitar Maestro Ravi Shankar High Resolution Canvas Print Wall Art

Masterful Sitarist Anoushka Shankar

Anoushka Shankar is the daughter of Indian sitar maestro Ravi Shankar. Anoushka began training with her father at the age of seven, eventually accompanying him on the tanpura. She was 13 when she performed sitar onstage for the first time at a concert celebrating her father’s 75th birthday. After establishing herself as a respected classical sitarist, Anoushka began composing music. Her unique style blends Indian music with flamenco, jazz, electronica, and Western classical genres. Musical talent runs in the family. Both she and her half-sister Norah Jones were nominated for Grammy awards in 2003.

Sitar Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans, including unique gifts for your favorite sitar player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our Sitar Shirts and Gifts collection.

Find a Sitar Online

Electric Sitar Ravi Shankar Style

Product details:

New electric flat sitar with pickup
Acoustic-electric sitar, can be played both ways
Comes installed with acoustic strings
Spare electric string set (magnetic strings)
Simply change 3 brass strings to convert to electric
Real bone bridges and brass frets, top of the line
7 main string Ravi Shankar configuration
Professional quality
Free bag and mizrab

Indian Handmade Tun Wood Sitar New Electric Flat Sitar with Pickup

Sitar Gifts Collection

Our Sitar Shirts and Gifts collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Sitar Shirts and Gifts

Unique Sitar Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite sitar player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Sitars and Accessories

La Bella ST30 Sitar Strings – Excellent Quality Plain Steel & Plain Golden Alloy Loop-Ends – Easy to Install Karuna Sitar Strings – Professional Quality Complete Set of Sitar Strings – Individually Packed in Paper Packets Vadyam Mizrabs – Plectrum, Pick for Indian Sitar – Set of 2 Double Grip Mizrabs – High Quality Stainless Steel Sitar Virtuoso and Composer Ravi Shankar – The Master – His 90th Birthday Collection (2010) – 3 Audio CDs

Courtesies

Musician’s Mall – Berkeley, California

Kaleidoscope Mandala image by JuliusH

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Oud Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 24, 2015

Oud Facts

The oud dates back 3,000+ years, with roots in ancient Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Persia. It’s one of the oldest stringed instruments still in use, known for its distinctive pear-shaped body and short fretless neck. The bowl-shaped back is made from strips (ribs) of woods like rosewood, walnut, mahogany, or maple.

Often referred to as the “King of Instruments” in the Arabic world, the oud is a cornerstone of Middle Eastern and North African music. The lack of frets allows musicians to play microtones—notes between the standard Western scale—giving the oud its distinctive, expressive sound central to Arabic, Turkish, and Persian music.

Typically an oud has 11 or 13 strings (5 or 6 double courses plus a single low string). Oud tunings vary by region. Common Arabic tunings include C-F-A-D-G-C, while Turkish ouds often use D-E-A-B-E-A. This adaptability suits different musical traditions.

The oud and early guitars share key traits: a wooden soundbox, a neck for fingering notes, and plucked strings. While the guitar has diverged significantly from the oud in design and sound, the oud’s role as a foundational instrument in this evolutionary chain is well-documented. Beyond the Middle East, the oud has influenced music in Greece, Armenia, and Central Asia. More recently it has been adopted by Western musicians in jazz, world music, and fusion genres.

Young Man Playing Oud

More Oud Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called an oudist. Notable oudists include Tarek Abdallah, Rabih Abou-Khalil, Farid al-Atrash, Rahim Alhaj, Riad al-Sunbati, Ahmed Alshaiba, Amer Ammouri, Munir Bashir, Anouar Brahem, Hamza El Din, H. Aram Gulezyan, Aarif Jaman, Saad Mahmood Jawad, Marcel Khalife, Yuval Ron, Simon Shaheen, Naseer Shamma, Alan Shavarsh Bardezbanian, Yurdal Tokcan, Cinuçen Tanrıkorur, Dhafer Youssef, and Scott Wilson.

Ancestor of the Guitar
Modern guitars evolved from the oud, which was brought to Europe during the Middle Ages by the Moors in Spain. The oud directly inspired the European lute, a plucked string instrument popular during the Renaissance. In 16th-century Spain, the lute evolved into early guitar-like instruments, including the vihuela and four-course guitar. These instruments gradually developed into the modern six-string guitar by the 19th century, with changes like a flatter body and standardized tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E).

Arabic Oud Middle Eastern Decor

Stretched Canvas Wall Art

Arabic Oud Wall Art Fairuz Inspired Print for Middle Eastern Home Decor Stretched Canvas is Created with the Highest Standards Using Quality Inks

Yemeni Music Master Ahmed Alshaiba

An instrumental interpretation of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” was arranged by Ahmed Alshaiba, a young musician from Yemen who taught himself to play the oud, and made a splash on social media with his cover versions of pop songs.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite oud player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Oud collection.

Find an Oud Online

Turkish Quality String Instrument Oud

Product details:

Mahogany bowl, spruce face, ebony pegs
High quality, beautiful instrument
Great tone, deep resonation, easy to tune
Plectrum and extra set of strings
Soft case for storage and portability
Two-year warranty certificate

Turkish Quality String Instrument Oud Spruce Face and Mahogany Bowl

Ouds for Sale

Middle Eastern Marketplace (Souk)

Craftsmanship
The best ouds are handcrafted by skilled luthiers, who meticulously shape the body, neck, and soundboard. High-quality ouds are handcrafted from woods like rosewood, walnut, or spruce, with intricate inlays and designs. Master luthiers can take months to build a single instrument.

Best Oud Gifts Collection

Our Oud Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Oud Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Oud Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite oud player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.

Shop for Ouds and Accessories

D’Addario Arabic Oud Strings EJ95A – Set of 11 – Silver-Plated Copper – Medium String Gauge Oud Abstract Design T-Shirt – Middle Eastern Music – Great Gift for Oud Teachers, Students, Players Zaza Percussion – Portable Aluminum Oud Stand – Foldable Design with Crab Body and Footrest Folkways Records – Music for the Classical Oud – Khamis El Fino – Oud Virtuoso – 1964 – Audio CD

Courtesies

Man Playing Oud image by fsHH

Hanging Ouds and Scarves image by Orelian

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Lute Facts: Shop for Instruments, Accessories, Gifts

by musician on August 16, 2015

Lute Facts

The lute’s history traces back to ancient Mesopotamia. Its ancestor is the Arabic oud, meaning “the wood,” which was introduced to Europe via Moorish Spain and the Crusades around the 8th–13th centuries.

Early medieval lutes had four single strings, played with a quill plectrum. By the Renaissance, lutes typically had six courses, or pairs of strings. By the Baroque era, some had up to 14–19 courses, with bass strings added for a richer sound.

Lutes are known for their distinctive pear-shaped body and rounded back, artfully crafted from thin wooden strips glued together. The lute’s soundboard typically features a carved “rose,” an intricate soundhole that enhances the instrument’s unique, delicate tone.

Sadly, by the 18th century, the lute was overshadowed by keyboard instruments. The revival of the lute in the 20th century brought the instrument back into prominence after centuries of obscurity. This aligned with a broader interest in historical performance, which influenced classical music and folk traditions. Lute music appeared in film scores and period dramas, enhancing the instrument’s visibility. As a result, the lute has reclaimed its place as a respected solo and ensemble instrument.

Lute Soundhole Detail

More Lute Facts

A person who performs on this string instrument is called a lutenist. Notable lutenists include Julian Bream, Peter Croton, John Dowland, Jacques Gallot, Joachim Held, Hubert Hoffmann, Lutz Kirchhof, Jakob Lindberg, Rolf Lislevand, Eugen Müller-Dombois, Nigel North, Paul O’Dette, Diana Poulton, Valéry Sauvage, and Christopher Wilson.

Symbolism and Art
The lute symbolized harmony, love, and youth in Renaissance art, often depicted in the hands of angels or lovers. A broken string, as seen in Holbein’s painting The Ambassadors, represented discord.

The Ambassadors (1533)

Hans Holbein the Younger

The Ambassadors by Hans Holbein the Younger – Premium Wall Art Print Using Non-toxic, Archival Inks

Marilyn with Lute
Marilyn Monroe’s friend Milton Greene first photographed her in 1953 when the actress was a rising star. That year she had leading roles in the film noir Niagara, and the comedies Gentlemen Prefer Blondes and How to Marry a Millionaire. The two collaborated on more than 50 photo sessions, and formed Marilyn Monroe Productions to protect her career from Hollywood powerhouses.

Marilyn Monroe with Lute

Officially Licensed Marilyn Monroe Wall Art

Marilyn Monroe Wall Art Poster Poster Measures 11×17 inches

Lutenist Valéry Sauvage

Accomplished string musician Valéry Sauvage plays the timeless classic “Greensleeves” on an instrument constructed by Stephen Murphy. Initially he plays the anonymous version from William Ballet’s Lute Book (late 16th or early 17th century). Valéry believes this to be the first known version for solo lute of “Greensleeves.” He segues into a version by Renaissance period composer and lutenist Francis Cutting, then back to the first version.

Best Gifts for Music Lovers

We’ve designed 2,000+ products for string instrument musicians and fans. Find a unique gift for your favorite lute player or enthusiast. Beware of inferior copycats! Our original designs are available here and in our String Kings Music Lute collection.

Find a Lute Online

Roosebeck Tenor Lute-Kulele Ukulele

Product details:

Design is based upon the Renaissance Lute which was prevalent in Europe in the 16th and 17th century
Back is made in the traditional manner of lute making, with alternating staves of walnut and lacewood (Platanus orientalus)
Neck and pegbox are solid walnut
The second (E) and third (C) strings are doubled providing a rich full and balanced tone
Ideally suited for classical and fingerstyle music
European spruce soundboard
Features the famous Leonardo Knot rosette, a favorite of Renaissance lute makers
One of the sweetest sounding ukuleles in the Roosebeck collection

Roosebeck Tenor Lute-Kulele Ukulele Variegated – Walnut Back is Crafted With Alternating Staves of Walnut and Lacewood

Chinese Lute (Pipa)

Cultural Spread
Lute popularity spread across Eurasia by way of the Silk Roads, evolving into instruments like the Chinese pipa, Indian sitar, and Persian barbat. Its versatility made the lute a key instrument in various musical traditions, and it rapidly became a favorite for solo, accompaniment, and ensemble music.

Best Lute Gifts Collection

Our Lute Gifts Collection features shirts, tote bags, coffee mugs, chef aprons, buttons, magnets, and more.

Lute Shirts and Gifts Collection

Unique Lute Gift Ideas

If you need to find a gift for your favorite lute player, you’ve come to the right place. We’re always creating new products and sharing our favorites from other designers.