The Medieval Castle: Music of the Medieval Era

Music was important to the people of the Medieval era, especially in the royal courts. This was the time of the knights. It was important for a knight to be able to fight, play a musical instrument, and to dance. Minstrels and Troubadours also played musical instruments. Of course, not everyone had to know how to play an instrument if they wanted to make music. They could always use their voice if they wanted to! Hymns and secular songs were especially popular because of the spread of Christianity. The first church organ dates back to the 8th century! Many of the Medieval instruments influenced the type of instruments we use today. So, if you play an instrument, remember that it was probably fathered by a medieval instrument!

They had different types of instruments that fell under different categories and fit into different families, just like ours do today! They included:

Wind Musical Instruments
Stringed Musical Instruments
Percussion Musical Instruments

String instruments were played by using a bow or they could be plucked.

The Harp - The harp was used mostly by the troubadours and minstrels.
The Fiddle - The fiddle was the most popular street instrument because it was so portable. It was could be played with either a bow, or could be plucked.
The Rebec - The rebec had a pear shaped body and looked like an early violin.
The Psaltery - The psaltery looked like a mix between a harp and guitar.
The Dulcimer - The dulcimer was played by hitting the strings with a small hammer, kind of like a piano does today on its inside!
The Hurdy-gurdy - Being introduced in the 1100’s, the bow was replaced by strings that were attached to a wheel, which was then cranked by a handle.
The Viol - The viol was played with a bow and usually sat between the legs or was held on the lap.

Wind instruments which were blown into.

The Flute - The flute was similar to modern-day flutes.
The Trumpet - The trumpet was a long instrument and it was made out of metal. It was often in four parts, and often associated with fanfares and pageants.
The Pipe - The pipe was a very basic instrument. It only had three melody holes.
The Shawn - The shawn was a reed instrument that had vent holes.
Recorder - The recorder was another a super basic instrument with melody holes, and is still around today, often used in elementary Music Class.
The Bagpipe - The Bagpipe was an ancient instrument and was used by the poor. It was usually made of goat or sheep skin, and a reed pipe.
The Crumhorn - The crumhorm (Curved Horn) was introduced in the 15th century as a double reed instrument.
The Gemshorn - The gemshorn, made out of an ox horn, was played like a flute-like instrument.
The Lizard - The lizard was an S-shaped horn.

Percussion instruments were made up of different kinds of drums and bells, much like they are today, of course.

The Drum - Drums were made of hollow tree trunks, clay, or metal. They were covered by skins of water animals.
The Cymbal - Cymbals were round, thin, metal plates.
The Triangle - The triangle was introduced in the 1300’s.
The Tambourine - The tambourine was usually only used by women.