Medieval and Renaissance Instruments Quiz

Answer: trombone

Sackbut literally means "push-pull". It is documented as a musical instrument from the 15th century. The tuba and trumpet have other evolutionary origins. The saxophone is considered a woodwind instrument and was invented in the 19th century.

Answer: recorder

Each of these instruments is from the medieval or Renaissance era. The recorder is documented in illustrations as early as the 14th century. Plastic replicas of the recorder are used in music education today as pre-band instruments. The lute and gamba are stringed instruments. The lizard is an s-shaped tenor cornett.

Answer: dulcimer

Called a dulcimer in English-speaking countries, the evolution of this instrument can be traced back to the biblical psalms of the Hebrews. Often called a hammered dulcimer, it is a popular folk instrument in rural America. The crumhorn is a curved horn and gives us our modern word "crumpet", meaning curved cake.

The chittara evolved into the modern guitar and the lovely Dulcinea lives in the world of Cervantes' "Don Quixote".

Answer: shawm

The shawm has a distinct nasal timbre, similar to the modern oboe. The recorder is an early flute-like instrument. The viol da gamba and the psaltery have strings.

Answer: pipe and tabor

It takes a skilled musician to manage the tricky fingering of the three-holed pipe while maintaining rhythm with the other hand on the drum. The pipe and drum were used in several of Henry VIII's compositions and were often featured in scene changes of Shakespeare's plays. Draughts are medieval English checkers, and ducks are fowl.

Answer: organ

The early organ had a monstrous sound that has been described as a "...terrible blowing of Bellows, expressing rather the cracks of thunder than the sweetness of a Voyce...". Humble beginnings for the instrument now called "The King of Instruments". Best not to strike any of these other instruments with the fist.

Answer: lute

One of the most popular and highly respected Renaissance instruments, the lute was used for accompaniment and solo work. The extant repertoire is extensive.

Answer: hurdy-gurdy

Sometimes called a symphonie or organistrum, the hurdy-gurdy eventually became a popular instrument for dance music. You can still purchase these instruments, but be aware that they are very temperamental and sensitive to weather and temperature changes.

Answer: zink

Very little air is required to play a zink. Tradition has it that the finest zink players could play up to 100 measures on one breath!

Answer: gemshorn

The gemshorn survives today as the gemshorn stop on a pipe organ. It is thought that the original instrument was probably used to calm the flocks.