The instruments

"auch kund ich vidlen, trummen, pauken, pfeiffen"
(transl. "I could also play the fiddle, drums, kettledrums and pipes"

Oswald von Wolkenstein wrote these words in his autobiographical song “Es fuegt sich” (Kl 18). He therefore seems to have been not only a talented poet, but also a versatile instrumentalist.

In the Middle Ages, instruments accompanied religious services, courtly festivities, dancing and entertainment. Many types are documented through visual and written sources, as well as individual archaeological finds.

The instruments

The fiddle was one of the most widespread bowed instruments of the Middle Ages. It usually had three to five strings and was played both to accompany songs and for dancing.

Detail from Der Fiedler
Heidelberg, Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848
Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift (Codex Manesse)
Zurich, c. 1300 -c. 1340

A small bowed string instrument with a pear-shaped body, usually with two or three strings. It was played on the arm, at the shoulder or in front of the chest.

Detail of the painting Virgo inter virgines
Gerard David, 1509

A loud wind instrument with a double reed and a penetrating sound. It was particularly well suited to dancing, festivities and outdoor music-making.

Detail from Albrecht Marschall von Rapperswil
Heidelberg, Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848
Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift (Codex Manesse)
Zurich, c. 1300 -c. 1340

A slender flute that could be played with just one hand. The free hand often struck a small drum at the same time, providing both melody and rhythm.

Detail of the St Christopher fresco
1515
Simon von Taisten
South facade of the tower of the pilgrimage church of Our Lady of Sorrows, Aufkirchen near Toblach
Photograph: Michael Schick

In the bagpipe, air is stored in a bag and directed steadily to the chanter and drone pipes. Its powerful sound made it particularly well suited to dancing and outdoor music.

Detail from Markgraf Otto von Brandenburg
Heidelberg, Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Pal. germ. 848
Große Heidelberger Liederhandschrift (Codex Manesse)
Zurich, c. 1300 -c. 1340

A small instrument made of metal, or more rarely wood, whose flexible tongue is set vibrating in front of the mouth. The oral cavity acts as a resonator.

Depiction of a Jew's harp in Sebastian Virdung's Musica
(Basel 1511, fol. D3v)

A medieval plucked string instrument with a short neck and a characteristically shaped body. The strings were plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum.

Detail "Angel with Citole"
De Lisle Psalter, England, ca. 1310–1339, London, British Library, Arundel MS 83, fol. 134v.

The harp was one of the most important plucked string instruments of the Middle Ages. Its strings, of different lengths, were plucked with the fingers and produced a clear, soft sound.

Paris, c. 1240: Banquet with musicians. From the Bible Moralisée (illustrated Bible). London, British Library, Harley MS 1527, fol. 14v.

The lute has a rounded, vaulted body, a short neck and several strings. It was played by plucking the strings and was used mainly to accompany singing and courtly music.

Lute with a broken string
Detail from The Ambassadors
Hans Holbein the Younger, 1533
National Gallery, London

Fiddle

Rebec

Shawn

One-Handed Flute

Bagpipe

Jew's Harp

Citole

Harp

Lute

The instruments

The instruments

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