MEDIEVAL INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC
It was usual that the high social level people had a group of musicians working
for them. They were called (as you probably remember) Minstrels. Minstrels were
professionals but most of them couldn’t neither read, nor write music. Many of them
played by heart pieces that they had learned. Sometimes they were also composers,
but their music is not preserved. Some authors believe that some of their lords'
compositions were actually made by them, but as they couldn’t write the music or the
text, the compositions were signed by the nobles.
Dance music was also modal. String ensembles were usual by important but
intellectual celebrations (poetry reading, official celebrations), while wind instruments
were ideal for parties or open-air celebrations.
Of course, the instruments were really different to actual ones. Although some of them
survived more or less with the same shape.
Examples of medieval instruments.
Strings:
LUTE: Originally was an Arabic instrument. It is named , in fact, after the Arabic name
(Ûd or Oud) with the Spanish feminine article (La): La-oud. Older ones were made with
a Tortoise shell, so that they have a curved back (half a pear shape). It came into
Europe through Spain. It is ideal not only for accompaniments, but also for playing
melodies.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vD_1Klq63pk
FIDDLE: Ancestor of the violin, this bowed instrument was a bit bigger and lower
(similar to a viola). The violin played for folk music is still known as Fiddle, although it is
a modern violin. Spanish name: Fídula
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPKhBkLgFLk
HARP: the medieval one was smaller than the current ones (similar to the Irish folk
harp or Celtic harp) and it was diatonic. It was considered a highly refined instrument.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvaRMZPROSo
PSALTERIUM: This plucked string instrument has descendants, like the Zyther, still
common in central Europe.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_io92j_7CBI
HURDY-GURDY: Under this funny name we find a complex instrument, with a rubbing
wheel instead of the bow and a sort of keyboard to stop the strings. It can produce the
melody and a varibale number of drones. Spanish name: Zanfona
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tef2-KlSYs
Wind Instruments
Bagpipe: common still in Celtic culture, it allows to play a melody like a recorder or
flute but without interruption. Big ones also have pipes producing a pedal note
(drone).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krZ1P0QXGpE
Shawm: It is a double reed instrument. With a powerful sound was common in dance
and outdoors ensembles. Spanish name: Chirimía.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egifq8lEEu0
