stringed pear-shaped lute with a round sound hole and played with a plectrum is called a laud. True or false.
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: False
The statement that a stringed, pear-shaped lute with a round sound hole and played with a plectrum is called a laud is false. The instrument being described is more accurately referred to as a lute, not a laud, though they are related.
The lute is a stringed musical instrument with a deep round back, a flat front with a round sound hole (often adorned with a decorative rosette), and a fretted neck. It is typically pear-shaped and was widely used in Europe during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The lute is known for its delicate and rich sound and is traditionally played with fingers or a plectrum.
On the other hand, the laúd (also spelled laud) is a different instrument, although it shares some similarities. The laúd is a plucked string instrument used mainly in Spanish folk music, particularly in the rondalla ensembles of Spain and Latin America. It has a flat back (not rounded like a lute), a more elongated body, and a similar number of strings arranged in courses. The laúd is also typically played with a plectrum, but its design and tuning differ significantly from the European lute.
The confusion between the two instruments may arise from their similar names and the fact that they both belong to the broader family of lute instruments. However, their physical structure, regional origin, and playing technique set them apart.
In summary, while the lute matches the description of being pear-shaped with a round sound hole and played with a plectrum, the name “laud” specifically refers to a different, Spanish folk instrument. Therefore, calling the described instrument a laud is incorrect, making the statement false.
