Changes: Vulcan lute

Revision as of 07:52, 16 May 2011

A Vulcan lute

File:Constitution class original recreation.jpg

Spock playing the Vulcan lute

The Vulcan lute (sometimes referred to as Vulcan harp, Vulcan lyre, or Vulcan Lyrette) was a twelve-stringed instrument, played on the planet Vulcan, that was tuned on a diatonic scale and noted to be very soothing. (VOY: "Innocence")

Spock was proficient at playing the Vulcan lute and was known to play it often during his off-duty hours. (TOS: "Charlie X", "The Conscience of the King", "Amok Time", "The Way to Eden"; Star Trek V: The Final Frontier)

Tuvok was also a proficient Vulcan lute player. He would often play his lute while reciting Falor's Journey to his youngest son. (VOY: "Persistence of Vision", "Innocence", "Riddles")

Melian, an Aldean musician also owned a Vulcan lute. (TNG: "When The Bough Breaks").

One of Intendant Kira Nerys' Vulcan eunuchs played a Vulcan harp for her while a second eunuch gave her a massage. (DS9: "Through the Looking Glass")

String instruments

Cello • Double bass • Esraj • Sarangi • Viola • Violin

Appalachian dulcimer • Balalaika • Banjo • Classical guitar • Double guitar • Guitar • Harp • Kithara • Klingon guitar • Lute • Lyre • Mandolin • Spanish guitar • Vulcan lute

Harpsichord • Piano

Appendices

Background

The Vulcan lute seen in "Charlie X" was designed by Wah Chang.

The Vulcan lute has been described as a five-stringed instrument tuned in a diatonic scale in "Innocence", but is seen to have twelve strings. It is strongly suggested that the lute is instead tuned in a twelve-tone chromatic scale, since a seven-tone diatonic scale can fit in neither 5 nor 12 strings.

Lieutenant Uhura also demonstrated a proficiency for playing a lute somewhat different from Spock's, suggesting that she has an instrument of her own and was presumably taught by Spock, "The Conscience of the King". She is the only non-Vulcan shown doing so.

In a deleted scene from "Elaan of Troyius", Spock revealed that he took second place in the All-Vulcan Music Competition, and that his father had taken first place.

The description of the Vulcan Lyrette from the original Star Fleet Technical Manual reads that this is "An unusually harmonious and melodic accompaniment or solo instrument, whose origin is lost in Vulcan antiquity. It combines the tonal qualities of a harp, lute, sitar, and to some extent, violin." They were usually made of Li'Pon and Sher Skah woods, with a Bahun'ahb inlay. The lowest pitch it can reach is 60 cps, and the highest is an astounding 3180 cps.

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-[[Image:VulcanLute.jpg|thumb|A Vulcan lute]]
+[[File:VulcanLute.jpg|thumb|A Vulcan lute]]
-[[Image:Constitution class original recreation.jpg|thumb|Spock playing the Vulcan lute]]
+[[File:Constitution class original recreation.jpg|thumb|Spock playing the Vulcan lute]]
-[[Image:Vulcan lute on Aldea.jpg|thumb|A Vulcan lute on Aldea]]
+[[File:Vulcan lute on Aldea.jpg|thumb|A Vulcan lute on Aldea]]
-The '''Vulcan lute''' (sometimes referred to as '''Vulcan harp''', '''Vulcan lyre''', or '''lytherette''') was a five-stringed instrument, played on the [[planet]] [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]], that was tuned on a [[diatonic scale]] and noted to be very soothing. ({{VOY|Innocence}})
+The '''Vulcan lute''' (sometimes referred to as '''Vulcan harp''', '''Vulcan lyre''', or '''Vulcan Lyrette''') was a twelve-stringed instrument, played on the [[planet]] [[Vulcan (planet)|Vulcan]], that was tuned on a [[diatonic scale]] and noted to be very soothing. ({{VOY|Innocence}})
 [[Spock]] was proficient at playing the [[Vulcan]] [[lute]] and was known to play it often during his off-duty hours. ({{TOS|Charlie X|The Conscience of the King|Amok Time|The Way to Eden}}; {{film|5}})
@@ Line 12: / Line 12: @@
 One of [[Intendant]] [[Kira Nerys (mirror)|Kira Nerys']] Vulcan eunuchs played a Vulcan harp for her while a second eunuch gave her a [[massage]]. ({{DS9|Through the Looking Glass}})
-== Background ==
+{{string instruments}}
+== Appendices ==
+=== Background ===
 The Vulcan lute seen in "Charlie X" was designed by [[Wah Chang]].
 The Vulcan lute has been described as a five-stringed instrument tuned in a diatonic scale in "Innocence", but is seen to have twelve strings. It is strongly suggested that the lute is instead tuned in a twelve-tone chromatic scale, since a seven-tone diatonic scale can fit in neither 5 nor 12 strings.
+Lieutenant Uhura also demonstrated a proficiency for playing a lute somewhat different from Spock's, suggesting that she has an instrument of her own and was presumably taught by Spock, {{e|The Conscience of the King}}. She is the only non-Vulcan shown doing so.
 In a deleted scene from {{e|Elaan of Troyius}}, Spock revealed that he took second place in the All-Vulcan Music Competition, and that his father had taken first place.
+The description of the Vulcan Lyrette from the original [[Star Fleet Technical Manual]] reads that this is "An unusually harmonious and melodic accompaniment or solo instrument, whose origin is lost in Vulcan antiquity. It combines the tonal qualities of a harp, lute, sitar, and to some extent, violin."  They were usually made of Li'Pon and Sher Skah woods, with a Bahun'ahb inlay. The lowest pitch it can reach is 60 cps, and the highest is an astounding 3180 cps.
+=== External links ===
-== External links ==
 * [http://www.cygnus-x1.net/links/lcars/vulcan-harp-construction-plans.php Detailed Schematics and Construction Plans for the Vulcan Lyre/Harp/Lute]
 * [http://secretagent036.googlepages.com/lyre An acoustic Vulcan Lyre/Harp/Lute construction project]
-[[Category:Vulcan]]
-[[Category:Musical instruments]]
 [[de:Vulkanische Harfe]]
 [[nl:Vulcan luit]]
+[[Category:Vulcan]]
+[[Category:Musical instruments]]