Book excerpt: "... a valuable book. It is an important link between the unknown of the Renaissance and the present." --The Triangle of Mu Phi Epsilon "Straightforward practicality is the most outstanding characteristic of this book." --Continuo "... a fine and very welcome book that is likely to remain the high standard of lute continuo instruction for some time to come." --Sixteenth Century Journal In this extraordinarily broad survey, Nigel North discusses the history of the lute, the archlute, and the theorbo and gives practical advice on technique, the choice of instrument for particular music, and the preparation of scores.