Medieval Instruments

Though some instruments that were used in Medieval music are recognized and played today, such as the harp and drum, there are some that are completely unrecognizable - both in name and form. Let’s take a look at some Medieval instruments that were as common accompanying choir as piano is now.

PeculiarlyNamed Instruments

Hurdy-gurdyinstrument that is cranked, turning a rosined wheel against strings

Psalteryan elongated box with strings plucked by an external tool

Sackbut - (pictured below) slender, more decorative precursor to the trombone

Shawmprecursor to the clarinet and/or recorder

Vielledeeper, boxier precursor to the violin and viola

When most people think of Medieval music, they don’t necessarily think of it being accompanied. Medieval music is generally associated with chant, religion, and inaccessible architecture - both of the music and of the buildings it was performed in. True, instruments were used much more in the Rennaissance, maybe a little too much at times, but this doesn’t mean they were nonexistent before.

The confusion comes from the musical notation used in Medieval times. When one examines sheet music from back then, no instrumental parts are apparent; just vocal parts. This is because the instrumental parts were assumed; everyone knew the music would be accompanied. Perhaps one of the reasons the instrumental parts weren’t included was because music was more driven by convenience at the time; whatever available instruments became the accompaniment. Just because the music may look a bit sparse to us now doesn’t mean that it rang with the shimmer of tamborines, the liquid notes of harps, and the energetic rhythm of drums.