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Translations in Time, Similarities in Touch: Transcribing Vihuela and Lute Music for Guitar

Alvarez-Leite Duarte, Diogo LU (2026) MUUM04 20261
Malmö Academy of Music
Abstract
This paper focuses on the process of transcribing for guitar the music written for
vihuela and lute in the Renaissance. Its aim is to highlight the benefits for the
transcriber of engaging in this kind of work and to explore both the challenges one
faces in the process and some of the options one has when presenting this music in
modern notation. It concludes that the craft of transcribing is simultaneously a way to
develop one’s understanding of the style and a concrete means to the very practical
task of checking the authenticity of musical text.
In transcribing, one actively engages with the music away from the instrument and is
confronted with the clash between notational systems, between two different musical
aesthetics. It... (More)
This paper focuses on the process of transcribing for guitar the music written for
vihuela and lute in the Renaissance. Its aim is to highlight the benefits for the
transcriber of engaging in this kind of work and to explore both the challenges one
faces in the process and some of the options one has when presenting this music in
modern notation. It concludes that the craft of transcribing is simultaneously a way to
develop one’s understanding of the style and a concrete means to the very practical
task of checking the authenticity of musical text.
In transcribing, one actively engages with the music away from the instrument and is
confronted with the clash between notational systems, between two different musical
aesthetics. It is in this role of mediator that we find ourselves as performers,
attempting to bridge the art of the Renaissance and the ears of a modern audience. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Alvarez-Leite Duarte, Diogo LU
supervisor
organization
alternative title
Översättningar i tid, likheter i anslag: Att transkribera vihuela- och lutmusik för gitarr
course
MUUM04 20261
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
transcription, guitar, Renaissance, music notation, tablature
language
English
additional info
Reflective part, 8 hp, of degree project, 30 hp,
for the achievement of the degree Master in Music, Guitar
id
9239980
date added to LUP
2026-08-18 14:07:07
date last changed
2026-08-18 14:07:07
@misc{9239980,
  abstract     = {{This paper focuses on the process of transcribing for guitar the music written for
vihuela and lute in the Renaissance. Its aim is to highlight the benefits for the
transcriber of engaging in this kind of work and to explore both the challenges one
faces in the process and some of the options one has when presenting this music in
modern notation. It concludes that the craft of transcribing is simultaneously a way to
develop one’s understanding of the style and a concrete means to the very practical
task of checking the authenticity of musical text.
In transcribing, one actively engages with the music away from the instrument and is
confronted with the clash between notational systems, between two different musical
aesthetics. It is in this role of mediator that we find ourselves as performers,
attempting to bridge the art of the Renaissance and the ears of a modern audience.}},
  author       = {{Alvarez-Leite Duarte, Diogo}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Translations in Time, Similarities in Touch: Transcribing Vihuela and Lute Music for Guitar}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}