Exploring medieval plucked string instruments offers a fascinating glimpse into the sounds and craftsmanship of the Middle Ages. This guide covers ten essential instruments from that era, detailing their construction, use, and cultural significance. Whether you’re a musician, historian, or enthusiast of early music, understanding these instruments enriches appreciation of medieval musical traditions.
The Lute
The lute is arguably the most iconic medieval plucked string instrument, with a pear-shaped wooden body and a rounded back made of thin strips of wood called ribs. It typically features 7 to 10 courses (pairs) of gut strings tuned in a variety of ways, allowing for both melodic and harmonic playing. The lute was central to courtly music and solo performance, prized for its warm, intimate tone and versatility across secular and sacred contexts.
The Vihuela
The vihuela emerged in 15th-century Spain as a guitar-like instrument with six or seven doubled strings, resembling the lute in tuning and repertoire. It has a flat back and a figure-eight shaped body, often decorated with intricate rosettes. The vihuela was favored by Spanish nobility and composers like Luis de Milán for its bright, resonant sound suited to Renaissance polyphony and dance music.
The Citole
The citole is a distinctive medieval string instrument dating from the 13th and 14th centuries, characterized by a flat, often elaborately carved body with a single neck and four strings. It was played by plucking or strumming, frequently accompanying troubadour songs. Though it later fell out of favor, the citole influenced the development of the guitar family and is notable for its role in early secular music traditions.
The Gittern
The gittern is a small, round-backed instrument popular in the 12th to 15th centuries, considered a precursor to the modern guitar. Typically strung with gut strings in courses of three or four, it was used by minstrels and traveling musicians for lively dance tunes and ballads. Its compact size and bright tone made it ideal for intimate settings and outdoor performances.
The Harp (Medieval Frame Harp)
Though harps have ancient origins, the medieval frame harp was a staple plucked string instrument from the 10th century onward, featuring a triangular frame with multiple gut strings stretched between the neck and soundboard. Smaller than the classical Welsh or Irish harps, the medieval harp was used widely across Europe, especially in Celtic regions, for both accompaniment and solo melodic lines. Its clear, bell-like sound is emblematic of medieval courtly music.
The Psaltery
The psaltery is a simple, trapezoidal instrument with strings stretched over a flat soundboard, plucked with fingers or a plectrum. It was widely used from the early Middle Ages through the Renaissance, primarily in ecclesiastical and secular contexts. The psaltery’s straightforward design made it accessible and portable, and its delicate, harp-like sound suited liturgical chants and folk tunes alike.
The Mandora
The mandora is a Renaissance-era lute-family instrument that appeared in the late medieval period, with a teardrop-shaped body and typically six to eight single strings. It was popular in German-speaking regions and used for both accompaniment and solo repertoire. Its mellow tone and extended bass range allowed for richer harmonic textures compared to earlier plucked instruments.
The Rebec (Plucked Variant)
While the rebec is primarily known as a bowed instrument, some medieval sources and iconography suggest plucked variants existed, resembling a small pear-shaped lute with three strings. These plucked rebecs were less common but notable for their bright, nasal timbre and portability. They were often used by traveling musicians for dance music and popular songs.
The Mandolin (Early Forms)
Emerging in the late medieval period, early mandolins evolved from lute and gittern designs, featuring a small, bowl-backed body with four paired strings tuned in fifths. These instruments were favored for their crisp, ringing tone and agility, making them suitable for virtuosic playing and ensemble work. The mandolin’s development marks a transition toward Baroque plucked instruments.
The Bandora
The bandora is a large, flat-backed plucked instrument from the late 16th century but with medieval roots in earlier citole and gittern forms. It typically has six to nine single strings and is tuned in a bass register, often used to provide harmonic support in consort music. Its deep, resonant tone complements higher-pitched instruments, making it a valuable part of mixed ensembles.
How to Choose
Selecting a medieval plucked string instrument depends largely on your musical goals, historical interests, and playing style. Consider the instrument’s range and tuning: lutes and vihuelas offer complex polyphonic possibilities, while psalteries and citoles suit simpler melodic lines. Size and portability matter if you plan to perform live or travel. Also, think about the repertoire you want to explore—certain instruments are tied closely to specific medieval or Renaissance traditions. Finally, availability of quality reproductions or originals and your budget will influence your choice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What materials were medieval plucked instruments made from?
Most were crafted from woods like spruce, maple, and sycamore, with gut strings and animal glue for assembly. Decoration often included inlays of bone, ivory, or mother-of-pearl.
How were these instruments tuned?
Tuning varied by region and period but commonly used open tunings with fourths and fifths intervals. Lutes often had courses tuned in fourths with a third in the middle, similar to modern guitar tuning.
Are there original medieval instruments still playable today?
Few originals survive intact due to fragility and age. Most modern players use historically informed reconstructions based on surviving iconography and written descriptions.
Did medieval plucked instruments have frets?
Many did, especially lutes and vihuelas, which used tied gut frets that could be adjusted. Others like the psaltery and harp had no frets, as they were played on open strings.
What kind of music was played on these instruments?
They accompanied everything from courtly dances and secular songs to religious hymns and instrumental consorts, reflecting the diverse musical culture of the Middle Ages.
Can I learn to play medieval instruments today?
Yes, there are specialist teachers, workshops, and early music ensembles worldwide dedicated to historically informed performance practices.
Final Thoughts
Medieval plucked string instruments offer a rich window into the sonic world of the Middle Ages, each with unique characteristics and historical significance. Whether drawn to the intricate lute, the rhythmic gittern, or the ethereal harp, exploring these instruments deepens understanding of medieval music’s texture and cultural context. By choosing an instrument that matches your interests and musical goals, you can connect directly with centuries-old traditions and keep this vibrant heritage alive today.
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