Stringed instruments have a long and complex history dating back to ancient times and all around the world. It’s fascinating to see how variations on a basic shape and a wide variety of materials can produce so many different kinds of wonderful sounds. In my first video this week, Daniel Estrem uses the baroque lute to produce an absolutely beautiful rendition of one of my favorite Beatles songs, While My Guitar Gently Weeps.

And a change of pace — if Mathias Duplessy’s music doesn’t get you moving, nothing will! I love how much these guys are enjoying themselves.