Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1. Indicates that music without voices was considered worthy of C. String instruments
preserving 1. Plucked
2. Indicates musical literacy of instrumentalists a. The lute was the most popular household instrument
B. New instruments and genres developed. (see HWM Figures 12.3, 11.2, 11.4).
1. Dance music and instrumental versions of vocal music b. Lutes have six courses of strings and a round back.
continued to be composed. c. Vihuela was a guitar-like Spanish instrument with a
2. New genres were not dependent on dance or vocal models. flat back.
3. For the first time, instrumental music was as interesting and 2. Bowed
challenging as vocal music. a. The viol (viola da gamba or leg-viol) had frets and
II. Instruments was played in consorts.
A. Trends of Renaissance instruments b. The violin descended from the medieval fiddle and
was developed in Italy for dance music.
1. Books in the vernacular described instruments and offered
instruction. D. Keyboard instruments
2. Haut and bas (high and low) continue as designations for loud d. The portative organ was still popular (see HWM
and soft. Figure 12.2).
3. Consorts 2. Clavichord
a. Instrument families were built in sets of different a. Soft-sounding solo instrument for small rooms
sizes, covering a wide range.
b. Tone is sustained until player releases the key.
b. Mixed consorts were also used.
c. Player can control volume and can create vibrato.
c. Most musicians played several instruments.
3. Harpsichord family
B. Wind and percussion instruments
a. Includes harpsichord, virginal (England), clavecin
1. Instruments from the Middle Ages: recorders, transverse (France), clavicembalo (Italy)
flutes, shawms, cornetts, trumpets