Method for the Baroque Lute. A Practical Guide for Beginner and Advanced Lutenists

Baroque lute method – A musical and historical approach

The baroque lute, long reserved for an elite, now enchants with its refined sound and rich repertoire. This method is intended for all who wish to discover or deepen their practice of this instrument, whether beginners, guitarists retraining, or experienced lutenists. The proposed approach combines historical rigor, musical demand, and the joy of playing.

The pieces are organized progressively, with a particular focus on sound quality, precision of gesture, and stylistic understanding. Far from a simple manual, this book invites a true immersion into the aesthetic of the baroque lute.

It is based on ancient sources while integrating accessible and structured contemporary pedagogy.

Each chapter aims to lay solid foundations for a free, sensitive, and informed interpretation.

Miguel Serdoura – Lutenist, Educator, Publisher, Founder of Le Luth Doré®

Born in Lisbon, Miguel Serdoura began his musical journey with classical guitar before dedicating himself to the lute, studying in Paris with Claire Antonini and later at the Schola Cantorum in Basel with Hopkinson Smith.

He has performed as a soloist throughout Europe, North America, and Asia, and appeared in a documentary about Hopkinson Smith broadcast on Mezzo and Classica.

He has recorded four critically acclaimed albums for Brilliant Classics (awarded a Diapason d’Or Découverte, Clic from Classiquenews, among others) and published in 2008 a Method for the Baroque Lute with Ut Orpheus, where he also founded the collection La Rhétorique des Dieux.

In 2015, he founded Le Luth Doré®, a publishing house and manufacturer of historical plucked string instruments, dedicated to preserving and transmitting this rich musical heritage.

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions

Le Luth Doré Urtext Editions offer scores faithful to historical sources, optimized for musicians and musicologists. Our editions combine careful engraving, practical layout, durable materials, and detailed critical apparatus in multiple languages.

Each text is meticulously established note by note to ensure an authentic restitution of the works, including original fingerings and ornamentations, as well as relevant stylistic suggestions.

Created by experts, our editions provide clear readability and enlightened interpretation of early music repertoire.

• Editor(s): Miguel Serdoura
• Musical period: Baroque
• Instrument(s): Baroque lute 11-course / 13-course
• Instrumentation: Baroque lute solo
• Notation: French tablature
• Modern edition: Modern edition
• Publisher: Ut Orpheus Editions
• Year of publication: 2008
• Collection: Lute/Theorbo
• Pages: 364 pp.
• Dimensions: 230x310 mm
• Weight: 1.152 kg
• Binding: Sewn perfect binding
• ISMN: 979-0-2153-2457-2

I. History, Aesthetics & Instrument

The “French lute” in the Grand Siècle – German Baroque music – Musical notation – Tablature – Fingerings – Ornaments – Style – Scordatura – Scales – Composers – Character of pieces – Instrument description – Luthiers – Strings – Maintenance & tips

II. Technique & Progression

Tuning the lute – Technical approach – Exercises 1 to 21 – Pieces groups 1 to 6 – Bass damping

III. Repertoire

Level 1: Beginner – Level 2: Intermediate – Level 3: Advanced – Index by keys – Index by composers

Appendices

Bibliography – Manuscript & printed sources – Libraries – Discography (11 & 13 courses)