source file: m1343.txt Date: Wed, 4 Mar 1998 08:21:56 -0500 (EST) Subject: Re: Fretless versus Fretted From: Johnny Reinhard An interesting cultural similarity is the 'oud in the Middle East. Meaning "wood" in Arabic, and the impetus for the "lute" in Europe, the 'oud alternates between fretted and unfretted ever 200 years or so. Apparently, this is to change its tone, not its tuning. Presently, the 'oud is fretted. Johnny Reinhard Director American Festival of Microtonal Music 318 East 70th Street, Suite 5FW New York, New York 10021 USA (212)517-3550/fax (212) 517-5495 reinhard@idt.net http://www.echonyc.com/~jhhl/AFMM