R L Commonsense String Numbers, Viols and Lute         The goal of the Cipher System  is to communicate musical information in clear, direct, and efficient terms. That means, eliminating as many sources of music speak (cross-calculation and double-talk) as possible. To that end, the following departure from standard procedure will be adopted on this web site; The standard numbering order of the Viola da Gamba or Lute’s six strings will be reversed: the lowest pitched string becomes string 1, and the highest pitched string  becomes string 6 (see Figure 1). All references to string number on this web site are expressed accordingly.   Figure 1     Most of you will welcome this change. I, for one, have always found low string = string 6  numbering order confusing, as all other terminology in music had been. Furthermore, there is no good reason, purpose, or logic to that order, and it’s not even consistent with other examples of standard procedure. Consider these points: when numbering the tones of scales or chords, the lowest pitched tone is always numbered “one” the lowest pitched string is the first string sounded in the most natural of strums — the down-stroke . . . viewing the fretboard while playing, the lowest pitched string is the first and closest to the eye. if you put the four fingers of your strumming hand into the strings as if to begin finger-picking, your index finger (the finger closest to your eyes) is called finger one  — not four. The same goes for the numbering of fingers on your chording hand We’ll use commonsense string numbering order here, rather than conventional string numbering order. Given the way I feel about using numbers that communicate well, I simply could not bring myself to write the upcoming book nor produce this web site using  screwy String Numbering  notation. This also maintains consistency system wide. Most people will continue to use conventional string numbering order in practice. This is just an initial island of safety and sanity while you get your foot in the door.   By the way, this goes for all string instruments including instruments tuned to fifths, e.g. violin and mandolin.     Index of The Cipher for fretted Viola da Gamba: Front page of The Cipher for Viols and Lute 3 Minute Introduction for Viola da Gamba Commonsense String Numbers, Viola da Gamba Five Degree Calculation Line for Viola da Gamba Demonstrations for Viola da Gamba Number formula translation tables: intervals, scales, and chords Pattern of Unisons and Octaves for Viola da Gamba Beginners open position chords for Viola da Gamba Triads on Viola da Gamba fretboard (two pages) Scales, Major and minor, parallel, Viola da Gamba or Lute fretboard, by string set Chord Progressions for Viola da Gamba and Lute (Triads of Major) Notes of Viola da Gamba and Lute fretboard spelled Free PDFs, Blank 6 and 7 string fretboard grid paper       Painting: Michiel Musscher     Up to Top of page