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Explore the musical instruments of the Renaissance period, such as viols, recorders, lute, sackbut, shawm, serpent, crumhorn, and cornett. Discover the differences between viols and violins, the versatility of recorders, and the unique characteristics of these historical instruments.
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MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS of the Renaissance
Renaissance Instruments • The Renaissance saw the development of a variety of instruments that closely resemble those of today • As with modern instruments, these were often grouped into “families”. • The two most important families were the VIOLS and RECORDERS
The Viol Family • The viols are often described as the ancestors of the violin family, but this is not in fact the case. • Viols and Violins existed side-by-side and were used for different purposes
The Viol Family • Viols were quieter than Violins and were designed to be played indoors • Violins were much louder and more suitable for dance music and outdoor activities
The Viol Family • The Viol has FRETS (like a guitar) but it is played with a bow. • It has SIX strings whereas the Violin only has four • What other differences can you see between a Viol and a Violin?
The Viol Family • A Consort of Viols. What do you notice about the way they are being played?
The Recorder Family • Recorders were also very popular instruments during the Renaissance period and are of course still played today
The Recorder Family • The recorder also comes as a family of several instruments • Many well-to-do families would have had “a chest of recorders” (a boxed set) and would have brought them out and played them as a means of entertainment
The Lute • The lute is thought to have existed as far back as ancient Egypt • During the early Renaissance, it was used principally to accompany singers • Later, it became a solo instrument in its own right
The Sackbut • The Sackbut is a brass instrument which is clearly the ancestor of the modern trombone
The Shawm • The shawm is also thought to have existed in antiquity • Shawms originated in the Middle East • The Shawm is the predecessor of the modern Oboe
The Serpent • The Serpent is a bass wind instrument • It has finger holes like a woodwind instrument but uses a mouthpiece like a brass instrument • It is no longer in use today, but is thought to be a distant relation of the Tuba
The Crumhorn • Another reed instrument that originated in the Middle East • The Crumhorn is no longer in use today and did not develop into a modern equivalent
The Cornett • Cornetts sound like soft trumpets but are made of wood and have finger holes • They often played with the Sackbuts • The Cornet today is a type of Trumpet