Vielle - This bowed string instrument was one of the most popular instruments of the medieval period, often used from the 13th through the 15th century. Similar in shape to a modern-day violin, but with a longer, deeper body, it had three to five gut strings and a leaf-shaped pegbox with frontal tuning pegs., Lute - The name of this plucked, multi-stringed instrument is derived from its Arabic predecessor 'al-'ud' ('the wood'), which came to Spain and Sicily through conquest during the Middle Ages., Psaltery - This harp-like string instrument - widely seen in medieval paintings, manuscripts and sculptures - consisted of plucked gut strings, stretched across a flat soundboard., Sackbut - This early version of the trombone was invented - most likely in Burgundy - in the 15th century. Possessing the characteristic slide of the trombone, but with a narrower bell and softer tone, it was widely used as part of ensembles in England during the medieval period and the two centuries that followed., Shawm - Made in Europe from the 13th century and played an important role in dance bands and ensembles for municipal and court ceremonies throughout the medieval period. Slightly similar to a flute or clarinet., Bagpipe - Similar to its modern-day Scottish counterpart, but probably softer-sounding, and with fewer drones., Gemshorn - Historically made from the horn of a chamois, goat, or other suitable animal, the gemshorn was a kind of flute used in the 15th century., Hurdy-Gurdy - Known in French as the vielle à roue, a string instrument that was set up primarily for the purpose of making drones., Chimes - Tuned bells that were strung together to form chimes, Portative Organ - Played from the 12th to the 16th century, was one of the most popular instruments of its period. Slung from a player's neck, it consisted of a bellows made of sheepskin and wood, along with a keyboard and a rank of pipes, which produced a flute-like sound when the bellows were squeezed and the keys were struck.,

Medieval Instruments

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