In the Middle Ages, music held an important place in everyday life. Whether for secular or religious occasions, musical instruments were used to accompany singing and create a festive atmosphere. In this article, discover the different types of musical instruments commonly used during this period.
In medieval music, musical practice was mainly vocal, and few instruments were used in churches. However, at outdoor feasts and celebrations, a wide variety of musical instruments known as “loud” instruments could be heard, including drums, bagpipes, trumpets and many others.
By contrast, indoor music used “soft” instruments, designed specifically for that setting. These included the lute, the vielle, the gittern and many others. These instruments were used to accompany songs and create polyphonic melodies.
Unfortunately, few medieval instruments have survived to the present day. However, thanks to iconography and historical sources, instrument makers have succeeded in reconstructing them for ensembles that perform medieval music. One of the most famous examples of medieval musical iconography is the Cantigas de Santa Maria manuscript, which depicts many musicians playing a wide variety of instruments.
To learn more about the musical instruments used in the Middle Ages, continue reading and explore the different categories of string, wind and percussion instruments in the sections below.
String instruments used in the Middle Ages
String instruments played an essential role in medieval music. They offered a wide range of sounds and were used in both secular and religious music.
The main string instruments used in the Middle Ages included:
- The harp, which was widespread and generally had 25 strings.
- The lute, a very popular instrument introduced into the West around the 14th century.
- The vielle, a versatile instrument used to accompany singing and played in polyphony.
- The gittern, which was similar to the vielle but had a shorter neck.
- The psaltery, a struck-string instrument resembling a small harp.
- The rebec, a bowed string instrument close to the violin.
- The viol, a bowed string instrument from the cello family.
One example of a string instrument used in the Middle Ages is the hurdy-gurdy, also known as the organistrum. This is a bowed string instrument in which a wooden wheel is used to make the strings vibrate. It was mainly used to accompany singing in churches.
The string instruments of the Middle Ages were varied and offered a great diversity of sounds. They were essential for creating a unique and captivating musical atmosphere.
Wind instruments used in the Middle Ages
Wind instruments played an important role in medieval music. They fell into two main categories: reed instruments and reedless instruments.
Reed instruments
Reed instruments used a single or double reed to set the air column vibrating and produce sound. Here are a few examples of reed instruments used in the Middle Ages:
- The oboe was a double-reed instrument used in both secular and religious music.
- The bagpipe was a single-reed instrument, very popular in medieval festivities.
- The chalumeau was also a single-reed instrument, close to the clarinet.
Reedless instruments
Reedless instruments were played by blowing directly into the instrument or by using a circular or lengthwise opening. Among the reedless instruments used in the Middle Ages were:
- Recorders, which were very widespread and used in both secular and religious music.
- Transverse flutes, which were made of wood and produced a soft, melodious sound.
- Trumpets, which were brass instruments used mainly in military music.
In addition to these instruments, cornetts were also used. They were similar to horns into which several holes had been drilled, allowing different notes to be played.
Wind instruments were used more frequently in secular music than in religious music.
Wind instruments used in the Middle Ages
| Reed instruments | Reedless instruments |
|---|---|
| Oboe | Recorders |
| Bagpipe | Transverse flutes |
| Chalumeau | Trumpets |
| Cornetts |
Percussion instruments used in the Middle Ages
Percussion instruments played an essential role in medieval music. They were varied and included drums, rattles, cymbals, triangles, bells, jingles and many others. These instruments were used in both secular and religious music.
Drums were especially popular at feasts and celebrations. Some drums were even fitted with small metal cymbals to produce additional sounds and emphasize the rhythm.
Another notable percussion instrument was the hammered dulcimer. This was a struck-string instrument in which small mallets struck the strings to produce melodious sounds.
Cymbals were also widely used to play rhythms. They could be different sizes and were made from different materials, such as bronze or steel.
Percussion instruments were present in both secular and religious music. They added energy and liveliness to the musical compositions of the period, and played an essential role in performance by creating driving rhythms. Find more information about medieval percussion instruments at this address: this English resource on medieval percussion
Examples of percussion instruments used in the Middle Ages:
- Drums
- Rattles
- Cymbals
- Triangles
- Bells
- Jingles
Conclusion
The musical instruments used in the Middle Ages played an essential role in the cultural life of this period. String, wind and percussion instruments were used at feasts and celebrations in secular music. Although religious music in the Middle Ages was mainly vocal, some instruments, such as the organ, were used in churches.
Even though few medieval instruments have survived to the present day, they have been reconstructed thanks to iconography and historical sources. This has allowed us to enjoy authentic medieval music through specialized ensembles. Medieval musical instruments are fascinating: they bear witness to the importance of music in everyday life during the Middle Ages and carry us back to this unique period in history.
In conclusion, medieval musical instruments offer us a captivating glimpse into the musical richness and diversity of the period. Their use in secular and religious music shows how important music was in medieval society. Although only a few surviving examples remain, iconography and historical sources allow us to understand and appreciate medieval music through careful reconstructions. Medieval musical instruments continue to fascinate music lovers and remind us of the emotional power and universality of this timeless art.
FAQ
What musical instruments were used in the Middle Ages?
The musical instruments used in the Middle Ages included a wide variety of string, wind and percussion instruments. The most commonly used string instruments were the harp, lute, vielle, gittern, psaltery, rebec and viol. Wind instruments included reed instruments such as the oboe, bagpipe and chalumeau, as well as reedless instruments such as recorders, transverse flutes and trumpets. Percussion instruments included drums, rattles, cymbals, triangles, bells and jingles. These instruments were used both in secular music, during festivities and celebrations, and in religious music. Although few medieval instruments have survived, iconography and historical sources have made it possible to reconstruct them for the performance of medieval music.
What string instruments were used in the Middle Ages?
The most commonly used string instruments in the Middle Ages were the harp, lute, vielle, gittern, psaltery, rebec and viol. The harp was widely used and generally had 25 strings. The vielle was a versatile instrument used to accompany singing and also played in polyphony. The lute was introduced into the West in the 14th century and became a very popular instrument. These string instruments were used in both secular and religious music.
What wind instruments were used in the Middle Ages?
The wind instruments used in the Middle Ages were divided into two categories: reed instruments (oboes, bagpipes, chalumeaux) and reedless instruments (recorders, transverse flutes, trumpets). Reed instruments used a single or double reed that oscillated to make the air column vibrate, such as the shawm, bagpipe, crumhorn and others. Reedless instruments were played by blowing directly into the instrument or by using a circular or lengthwise opening, such as recorders, transverse flutes and trumpets. Wind instruments were more common in secular music than in religious music.
What percussion instruments were used in the Middle Ages?
The percussion instruments used in the Middle Ages were varied and included drums, rattles, cymbals, triangles, bells and jingles. Drums were used during festivities and were sometimes fitted with small metal cymbals. The hammered dulcimer was a struck-string instrument in which the strings were struck by small mallets. Cymbals were also used to play rhythms. Percussion instruments appeared in both secular and religious music.
What role did musical instruments play in the Middle Ages?
The musical instruments used in the Middle Ages played an important role in the cultural life of the period. They were used both in secular music during feasts and celebrations, and in religious music. Religious music in the Middle Ages was mainly vocal, but some instruments, such as the organ, were also used in churches. Medieval musical instruments are fascinating and show how important music was in everyday life during the Middle Ages.