Medieval and Tudor percussion instruments

There are of course many, many different types of percussion instrument. Listed below are the main percussion instruments played by Trouvere minstrels in shows, concerts and workshops.

Percussion instruments are instruments where the sound is produced by bashing or beating. This would include cymbals, kettle drums and the piano which may at first seem to bear very little resemblance.

The most familiar of the percussion instruments is the drum. Drums are shells made of wood, pot or metal with leather tightly fastened onto one or both ends. The leather must be carefully tightened and warmed up before use otherwise the drum skins would be to loose to produce a good tone (especially in wet weather). Rope-tensioned drums were introduced to reduce this problem. Modern drums skins are often made out of plastic and do not become loose.

Other percussion instruments include objects that can be struck and made to vibrate. There is no drum skin or shell (in which the air can vibrate). The object itself vibrates. Examples of this type of instrument include wood blocks, cymbals and bells.

An inventive type of percussion instrument include hybrid-types where strings are struck with beaters. This can be seen in dulcimer/psaltery type instruments that are clearly the ancestor of the modern piano.

Many of the instruments described here have attached sound-files, click on the image to hear these instruments in action.

Nakirs

These instruments are the ancestors of our modern kettle-drums and were originally introduced into Europe from the Middle East and North Africa. These drums were rope tensioned animal skins over a copper or stoneware bowl. The drums were often small enough to be worn on a belt around the waist resulting in a very portable and playabe drum kit.

One of the drums (as in our example to the right) has a snare. Simply an extra piece of rope over the skin to produce a rattling effect.

Side-drums

These instruments become increasingly popular through the 15th century and into Tudor times. Like the nakirs they are rope tensioned animal skins, but here on a curved wooden shell. Due to their size they produce a powerful deep sound and as a result were useful in later periods for organising and controlling soldiers on battlefields.

There are medieval records of drums such as these being used to terrify enemy armies. These drums when played in great number would certainly create a fearful sound.

Tuned Bells

A selection of tuned bells, gently struck with a hammer can lend a very sweet harmonious tone to music whether it be a church hymn or an instrumental dance. The bells are usually made from cast metals such as brass or iron.

Bells such as these were clearly thought of as a noble instrument. Here we have no less a personage than King David himself playing them. Tuned bells are still heard today, we hear them very often every time we hear church bells. These type of instruments are also very similar to the tuned percussion we see in music from around the world most notably the Indonesion gamelan orchestras.

If you would like to contact Trouvère Medieval Minstrels then email us

Tel no. 0772 0118406