Search results
People also ask
What was medieval music?
Can modern musicians play medieval instruments?
What are medieval instruments?
What instruments were used in medieval symphonies?
Stringed, wind, percussion, keyboard, and traditional instruments were all present during the Middle Ages. Medieval music was often performed in ensembles, creating harmonious melodies. The influence of medieval instruments can still be felt in contemporary music today.
- Instrumental Categories in Medieval Music
- Medieval Woodwind Instruments
- Medieval Brass Instruments
- Medieval String Instruments
- Medieval Keyboard Instruments
- Medieval Percussion
- Wrapping Up on Medieval Instruments
In this article we’ll take a look at the main instruments that were played in the Medieval period. For the sake of clarity we’ll organise them into modern instrumental families – woodwind, brass, strings and percussion. But it is worth noting that, at the time, instruments would have been divided into two broad groups: 1. haut, meaning loud 2. bas,...
Recorder
Today the Recorderis often considered the ideal starter-instrument for younger children. They are now generally made from plastic, whereas Medieval recorders were wooden, but otherwise they remain essentially the same, with a beak-style mouthpiece and eight finger holes.
Flute
Unlike the metal instruments we see today, Medieval Fluteswould have been made from wood. They would have had simple holes to be covered by the fingers, rather than the more complex systems of key-work we see today.
Bagpipes
The loud, distinctive sound of the Bagpipesis now commonly associated with the Scottish Highlands, but the instrument has been played in countries around the world since ancient times. Early Medieval bagpipes would have comprised a bag made from goat or sheep skin, plus a reed pipe, then in the 13th Century an extra dronepipe was added to provide a non-stop droning single note, above which the melody would sound. Bagpipes could be played alone but were often paired with a Shawm (which we’ll l...
Trumpet
Early Trumpetsdid not have valves, so they could only play notes from the harmonic series. They were used in pageants and fanfares, as well as in various military contexts, where their bright sound could convey messages across relatively large distances. Also called Buisines, Medieval trumpets tended to be straighter and longer than their modern counterparts.
Sackbut
An early version of the trombone, the Sackbut’spitch is altered via a telescopic slide. It has a narrower bell than its modern counterpart.
Cornett
Not to be confused with the cornet (which is similar to the modern trumpet), the cornett or cornetto is a pipe-like instrument made from wood or ivory. It has finger holes like a woodwind instrument, but a cup-style mouthpiece like other members of the brass family.
Lute
The Luteis a deep-bodied relative of the guitar that appears in various sizes. During the Medieval period it would have been plucked with a quill (where modern players would use a plectrum) and its primary job would have been to provide improvised accompaniment for vocal music.
Gittern
The Gitternis a relative of the lute and the modern guitar. It has a smaller, pear-shaped body compared to the lute, and its neck and body are made from a single piece of wood. Types of gittern include the Guitarra Latina (Latin guitar) and the Guitarra Morisca(Moorish guitar).
Dulcimer
A member of the zither family, the dulcimer sits flat across the player’s lap, where horizontal metallic strings are hit with a pair of little hammers. Although the dulcimer disappeared from use in Western classical music, modern versions of the instrument are still used in types of American folk music. The psalteryor psalterium is a relative of the dulcimer that would ultimately evolve into the harpsichord.
Pipe organs
The organ was one of the few instruments that were allowed in churches and cathedrals, where vocal music dominated. The positive organwas a smaller, relatively portable type of pipe organ.
Portative organ
The portative organ is a bit like a miniature version of the church organ. A portable instrument, it is strapped to the performer, who operates a pair of bellows, which puts wind through a set of pipes. With the other hand, he or she plays pitches on a small keyboard.
Harpsichord
The harpsichord was invented in the late Medieval period. A relative of the piano, its strings are plucked with a trigger mechanism when keys are pressed on the keyboard.
Timbrel
This is essentially a tambourine: a wooden frame drum with jangles or bells round the edges.
Naker
Sometimes called naqareh, nakers are a small relative of the kettle drum (or timpani), which were brought back to Europe during the Crusades.
Tabor
A portable snare drum played either with one hand or two drumsticks. Elsewhere, bells and cymbals are also commonly seen in Medieval paintings.
So, that concludes our guide to the instruments of the Medieval period. We hope you’ve enjoyed finding out about some instruments which have close relatives that we still use today – like the flute and the sackbut – as well as learning about some weird and wonderful items – like the hurdy gurdy – that are a little less familiar!
Jul 9, 2015 · When were the middle ages? How do we know what the music sounded like? What were the earliest surviving songs? What was its dance music like? Why does medieval music sound so different to today’s? How did medieval musicians harmonise?
Most of the medieval music we know today belongs to the last part of the Middle Ages. There was a tradition known as the “Notre Dame school”. This music dates from around 1150 to 1250.
Sep 28, 2023 · These medieval string instruments, the lute, hurdy-gurdy, and psaltery, brought joy and entertainment to people during a time when music was an integral part of daily life. They continue to fascinate us today, allowing us to glimpse into the enchanting world of medieval music.
The medieval harp, lute, and flute were amongst the most popular medieval instruments, but other lesser-known instruments such as the psaltery, hurdy-gurdy, and sackbut were also used. The influence of medieval musical instruments can still be heard in various genres of music today, from classical to folk and even metal.
Jun 14, 2023 · 1 – The Lute. Let’s start with the most influential medieval instrument that left its mark on the world and encouraged a whole way of life. The Lute appeared in the early 15th century in its various forms, and by the 16th century was one of the most popular instruments in the world.
