What instruments did medieval minstrels play?

Answer 1

That very much depends on the precise time period, since musical instruments are one of the many things that changed quickly during the very long medieval period.

Taking the 12th century as an example, some earlier instruments were falling out of fashion and certain instruments had not yet been introduced. There were sets of different-sized hand bells fixed to a frame and struck with hammers, there were plucked psalteries, small portable organs worked by bellows, flutes (some double flutes), horns, simple forms of bag-pipe and small harps. Two quite similar instruments were the viol or vielle and the rebec, both rather like modern violins and played with a bow. A much larger instrument was the organistrum, which was a huge instrument like a hurdy-gurdy but played by two people. Drums were not common at this time.

Later medieval instruments uncluded the crum-horn, shawm, lute and sacbut.

See links below for images of 12th century instruments:

Answer 2

Music was a large part of life in the Middle Ages. It was played during holidays and special parties, weddings, and birthdays. The music for weddings and Valentines Day was called chivaree. The instruments used were recorders, horns, trumpets, whistles, bells, drums, and harps.

People also ate to music during the meals and between courses. It was thought that music helped with the digestion of food. On Mayday dancers would dance to special prepared music and by doing so the hibernating spirits would wake up bringing on spring.

Answer 3

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