Theorbo vs. Lute — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
The theorbo is a large lute with extended bass strings for greater range, whereas the lute typically has a shorter neck and lacks the extended bass range.
Difference Between Theorbo and Lute
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
The theorbo, developed during the late Renaissance, is distinguished by its large size and extended neck, which accommodates extra bass strings. This design enhances its bass register, making it ideal for basso continuo roles in Baroque music. On the other hand, the lute, more common in the Renaissance and Baroque periods, typically features a shorter neck and a rounded back with multiple ribs, focusing on a higher, more melodic range.
Both instruments are plucked with the fingers, but the theorbo's extended bass strings are often played open (without fretting), creating a resonant, deep sound that contrasts sharply with the more delicate, intricate sound of the lute. Whereas the lute generally uses a more complex fretting hand technique to navigate its fretted strings across all courses.
In terms of repertoire, the theorbo was primarily used as an accompanying instrument to support vocal and instrumental melodies. On the other hand, the lute was immensely popular as a solo instrument, with a vast body of solo pieces written specifically for it, highlighting its expressive capabilities.
The construction of both instruments involves intricate craftsmanship, but the theorbo's additional length and string tension require a more robust construction, often including reinforced materials and a larger body. In contrast, lutes are typically lighter and require less structural reinforcement.
Visually, the theorbo stands out due to its distinct two-part pegbox, which separates the pegs for the regular and extended strings. In contrast, the lute usually has a single, curved pegbox with all pegs located together, contributing to its more compact form.
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Comparison Chart
Size
Larger with extended neck for additional strings
Generally smaller with a standard-sized neck
String Configuration
Extended bass strings, some unfretted
All strings are fretted, typically fewer strings
Sound
Deep, resonant bass tones
Higher, melodic tones
Primary Use
Accompaniment in Baroque music
Solo and ensemble performances
Pegbox Design
Two-part pegbox separates string groups
Single curved pegbox
Compare with Definitions
Theorbo
A large bass lute used in Baroque music, characterized by an extended neck and second pegbox.
The theorbo’s deep tones provided a solid foundation in the orchestra’s continuo section.
Lute
Known for its expressive and delicate sound.
His fingers danced across the lute’s strings, producing a series of delicate harmonies.
Theorbo
Designed primarily for accompaniment, enhancing the lower register.
He played the theorbo, enriching the harmony with its powerful bass strings.
Lute
A plucked string instrument popular during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
The lute’s gentle melodies captivated the audience in the intimate recital.
Theorbo
Commonly used alongside other Baroque instruments like harpsichords.
The ensemble included a theorbo, which complemented the harpsichord’s intricate melodies.
Lute
Played solo or in ensemble settings.
She performed a lute solo that highlighted her technical prowess and emotional expression.
Theorbo
Often played in a seated position due to its size.
The musician sat to play the theorbo, its large body resting comfortably against her side.
Lute
Features a rounded back and typically 6 to 10 courses of strings.
The antique lute, with its beautifully crafted back, was a centerpiece in the museum’s collection.
Theorbo
Features a mix of fretted and unfretted strings for varied sound.
The theorbo player skillfully navigated both fretted and unfretted strings during the performance.
Lute
Extensive repertoire of both vocal accompaniments and solo pieces.
The lute player chose a piece from Renaissance Italy, showcasing the instrument's versatility.
Theorbo
The theorbo is a plucked string instrument of the lute family, with an extended neck and a second pegbox. Like a lute, a theorbo has a curved-back sound box (a hollow box) with a wooden top, typically with a sound hole, and a neck extending out from the soundbox.
Lute
A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted.
Theorbo
A large lute with a long neck having two sets of pegs, one set above and somewhat to the side of the other to accommodate a set of bass strings, used in the 1600s and early 1700s.
Lute
A plucked stringed instrument with a long neck bearing frets and a rounded body with a flat front, rather like a halved egg in shape.
Theorbo
(musical instruments) A baroque, double-necked lute having an extra set of open bass strings.
Lute
Liquid clay or cement used to seal a joint, coat a crucible, or protect a graft.
Theorbo
An instrument made like large lute, but having two necks, with two sets of pegs, the lower set holding the strings governed by frets, while to the upper set were attached the long bass strings used as open notes.
Lute
Seal, join, or coat with lute
They were luted with a heavy coating of calcined chalk and eggshells
Lute
A stringed instrument having a body shaped like a pear sliced lengthwise and a neck with a fretted fingerboard that is usually bent just below the tuning pegs.
Lute
A substance, such as dried clay or cement, used to pack and seal pipe joints and other connections or coat a porous surface in order to make it tight. Also called luting.
Lute
To coat, pack, or seal with lute.
Lute
A fretted stringed instrument of European origin, similar to the guitar, having a bowl-shaped body or soundbox; any of a wide variety of chordophones with a pear-shaped body and a neck whose upper surface is in the same plane as the soundboard, with strings along the neck and parallel to the soundboard.
Lute
Thick sticky clay or cement used to close up a hole or gap, especially to make something air-tight.
Lute
A packing ring, as of rubber, for fruit jars, etc.
Lute
(brickmaking) A straight-edged piece of wood for striking off superfluous clay from earth.
Lute
To play on a lute, or as if on a lute.
Lute
To fix or fasten something with lute.
Lute
A cement of clay or other tenacious infusible substance for sealing joints in apparatus, or the mouths of vessels or tubes, or for coating the bodies of retorts, etc., when exposed to heat; - called also luting.
Lute
A packing ring, as of rubber, for fruit jars, etc.
Lute
A straight-edged piece of wood for striking off superfluous clay from mold.
Lute
A stringed instrument formerly much in use. It consists of four parts, namely, the table or front, the body, having nine or ten ribs or "sides," arranged like the divisions of a melon, the neck, which has nine or ten frets or divisions, and the head, or cross, in which the screws for tuning are inserted. The strings are struck with the right hand, and with the left the stops are pressed.
Lute
To close or seal with lute; as, to lute on the cover of a crucible; to lute a joint.
Lute
To sound, as a lute.
Lute
To play on a lute, or as on a lute.
Knaves are menThat lute and flute fantastic tenderness.
Lute
A substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid
Lute
Chordophone consisting of a plucked instrument having a pear-shaped body, a usually bent neck, and a fretted fingerboard
Common Curiosities
What type of music is best suited for the theorbo?
The theorbo is best suited for Baroque music, particularly for accompanying vocal and instrumental music due to its deep and resonant bass lines.
What is the main difference in the construction between a theorbo and a lute?
The theorbo has an extended neck and a second pegbox for extra bass strings, while the lute has a shorter neck and a single curved pegbox.
Can the lute be used for basso continuo like the theorbo?
Generally, the lute is not used for basso continuo because it lacks the extended bass strings that give the theorbo its depth and volume necessary for continuo roles.
Are there specific composers who favored the theorbo?
Baroque composers like Claudio Monteverdi and Alessandro Piccinini are known for their extensive use of the theorbo in their compositions.
How are the playing techniques different between the theorbo and the lute?
The theorbo often involves playing open bass strings along with fretted melodic strings, whereas the lute typically involves more complex fretting techniques across all strings for melodic and harmonic play.
Can the theorbo and lute be part of the same ensemble?
Yes, both instruments can be part of the same ensemble, especially in Baroque settings, where they complement each other’s sound by covering different ranges and textures.
What era is the lute most associated with?
The lute is most closely associated with the Renaissance period, though it remained popular into the Baroque era.
What is a typical string material for the lute and theorbo?
Historically, both instruments used gut strings, but modern versions often use nylon or other synthetic materials for durability and consistency in tone.
Are there modern musicians who specialize in these historic instruments?
Yes, many modern musicians specialize in historic instruments, including the theorbo and lute, often performing in early music ensembles and dedicating their careers to the authentic performance of Renaissance and Baroque music.
How has the construction of these instruments evolved over time?
Both instruments have seen changes in construction materials and techniques, with modern reproductions often incorporating more durable materials and improved design features to enhance playability and sound.
How does the size of the theorbo affect its playability?
The large size of the theorbo makes it more challenging to handle and often requires the player to be seated during performance, affecting playability especially for those with smaller stature.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
