Medieval Instruments: Three Things You Must Know About the Dark Ages

Are you bored? I can count a number of fun things to do this holiday. But are you willing to use the right side of your brain (creative side) instead of choosing to sit there for hours in front of your pc or tv? It would in fact do us greater good to think about other exciting things that will make our free hours worth enjoying. Why not try to learn some things about medieval instruments?

Medieval instruments? Is it even possible to find these very old things in the present day? Yes, of course.. You are right, these “geriatric” stuff seem to be overly out-of-place and too not special in the time where electronic instruments and voice digital editing seem to be prevalent. If you are following the same line of thought then you are absolutely wrong. You might be surprised to know that even your kindergarten and elementary music room has medieval instruments in it. The tambourine for example, or the cymbals. Or even the fiddle which is almost always present on medieval-themed films.

Learning how to play these old-timer musical instruments would also be more exciting if you can learn some little-known tidbits concerning the dark ages. As a matter of fact, the emotional charge when you strum the harp would be deeper knowing that these harps might have the very same ones played in the Roman catholic churches. Through this, music appreciation as well as the advocacy to spread the magic of the medieval music even to these modern times will be realized.

Interesting fact number one: The oldest known record share us this information-the world’s oldest medieval instrument is none other than the human voice. This would be due to the fact that our forefather did lack the time for merrymaking, as they were occupied tending to their lands. That’s why there was no need for music. Some historians credit the deep baritones of the Christians monks in popularizing hymns and chants spreading all the way through the domain of Christian Europe, Asia and North Africa. And in this fashion we now have Gregorian chants to live by.

Interesting fact number two: Have you ever wondered if the romantic tales of the court and the superhuman tales of knight were true? If not, who may have the creativity to compose them so enchantingly? They are called the troubadours and the minstrels. The troubadours are known to perform Occitan lyric poetry. Their female counterparts are called trobairitz. The minstrels on the other hand are performers on the court or palaces. In a way they are what we call “great story tellers” for they told about chivalric pursuits and courtly love, true or not.

Interesting fact number three: The oldest church organ is said to be used to as back as the 8th century. Just think about this fact: without these trailblazers that we call unique medieval instruments, we will not have classical music, then modern music afterwards that we enjoy at the moment. Paying tribute to these “pioneers” need not only call for our devote understanding, but in making sure they will last through time as well. When buying make sure to get them from a trusted shop so you can have parts or repair for maintenance value whenever you need them.

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