Category Archives: Music

At the roots of the guitar; The Carolingian CYTHARA.

Posted on July 21, 2020 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

Perhaps you have already caught a glimpse of my research project of last year. It slipped in on some photos and social media postings. But I haven’t had the possibility to write too much about it earlier. The reason? Like … Continue reading →

Posted in Cythara, Events, Guitar Plans, Lectures, Living history, Lute, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Year of the Psalter | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

To hang our Lyres up to the Willows…

Posted on June 25, 2020 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

“By the waters of Babylon,     there we sat down and wept,     when we remembered Zion. On the willows there     we hung up our lyres.” Psalm 137:1-2 (ESV) o you probably have heard these verses? They are fairly well known. The people … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Living history, lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

14 Histoires de Guitares

Posted on January 31, 2020 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

At the 8th of january an enveloppe fell on my doormat. So far nothing unusual, that happens regularly, but this time it contained a nice surprise: the new cd “14 Histoires de Guitares” by Canadian guitarist David Jacques. Over the … Continue reading →

Posted in Documentary, Guitar, History, Lectures, Music, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

“The other Dual Tone”; Guyatone LG-60

Posted on August 3, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

About a year ago, a friend contacted me about an old guitar he found in the trash. He wanted to fix it himself, but lack of time had put it in a corner for years. If I took it in, … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar, Guitar Plans, Music, Restorations, Uncategorized, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Prittlewell Lyre

Posted on July 10, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

In 2003, archaeologists of the Museum of London Archaeology uncovered the remains of an Anglo-Saxon grave chamber near Southend, Essex. It soon became apparent this was not a normal burial. The person had been laid to rest with a plethora … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, History, Living history, lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Uncategorized, Woodworking | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

“The Beast unleashed”- the Lion Theorbo leaving the nest.

Posted on March 26, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

As you know I am working on a large theorbo after the Matheus Buechenberg (Rome, 1614) in the V&A museum. Nomally I make lutes with anything from 7 to 19 ribs. But making a 41 rib bowl in Yew heartwood … Continue reading →

Posted in History, Lute, Music, Printing press, Projects, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Guestblog: The Lyre of Trossingen – pt. 3

Posted on February 26, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

Luit van der Tuuk is a Dutch author and independent researcher, specialized in the early middle ages. He is also the curator of Museum Dorestad in Wijk bij Duurstede. In the early middle ages, musical instruments had a special meaning, … Continue reading →

Posted in Articles, History, lyre, Music, Projects, Research, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

A lyre delivered…

Posted on January 20, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

It’s always a special moment when instruments are delivered to the players. As a maker you can only do so much, it only becomes complete when it is played by someone who really knows what to do. The plan for … Continue reading →

Posted in lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Uncategorized, Woodworking | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Trossingen Lyre Project

Posted on January 18, 2019 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

An introduction to the Trossingen Lyre Project. Continue reading →

Posted in Books, lyre, Music, Projects, Re-enactment, Research, Think different, Thoughts, Uncategorized, Woodworking | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments

FREE Vihuela plans!

Posted on August 2, 2018 by Jan van Cappelle (Javaca)

Yes you read it correctly. As a summer surprise I’m giving away one of my plans for free… A year ago some of my students at the Bouwerskontakt lutherie course asked whether they could make some historical instruments. A baroque … Continue reading →

Posted in Guitar, Guitar Plans, Lute, Music, Projects, Research, Uncategorized, Woodworking, Workshop | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 14 Comments