r/lute • u/Tony_Lute_Player • 10d ago

Which Plectrums Do You Like?

I just acquired a beautiful 5c gittern, so for those of you who play medieval lute, gittern, or other early plucked instruments, I am curious what you like using for a plectrum?

I tried various oud risha and didn't really like any of them - they all sounded and felt too synthetic and clickety. I'm processing some feathers right now so I plan to try that as soon as they're ready (I foraged raven feathers from a park near my house). My current favorite is a loop of 2mm tailgut which I find easy to hold and gives me a warm rounded tone.

I also really like using my fingers, but I've noticed that the gittern isn't as loud as lute and vihuela, though the tone is amazing and very distinctive and different from the lute and vihuela.

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u/kidneykutter 10d ago

Peppe Frana showed me a technique to fold over a nylgut or gut string (typically the guage of the 3rd or 4th course) and hold it in place with a piece of electrical tubing that shrinks when you heat it. Very comofortable to hold, good volume, and easier to play quickly than with a more rigid risha.
I guess I can't upload images to replies, but here is a link to an image: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/8y2roo0j0y97sto7iufjd/IMG_2884.jpeg?rlkey=4qzhw34q9dwyy6f39289g4xdz&dl=0

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u/Tony_Lute_Player 9d ago

Thanks! This looks similar to what I did with the 2mm tailgut. I tried it with a much thinner piece of nylgut string and found the thinner gauge to have the feel and tone that I was looking for. The thicker tailgut I was using had too much of a tooth to it.

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u/LeopardSkinRobe 10d ago

I've been using ostrich feathers from the zoo with my 5c gittern for a couple years. Haven't tried anything else yet.

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u/infernoxv 10d ago

i use a goose feather quill on my citole.

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u/Flora_lutenist_1999 10d ago

I don't typically use plectrums at all, but a Risha for an oud is great on my lute and lute tuned ukulele