Stringed Instruments

Medieval Stringed Instruments – Overview

Medieval European music used many different types of stringed instruments. They can be grouped into three broad families:

1. Bowed string instruments

• Rebec – Small, pear‑shaped body, usually 2–3 strings, carved from a single block of wood and played with a bow. Common among minstrels and in courtly music.
• Vielle (medieval fiddle) – Larger than the rebec, often with 4–5 strings. More versatile range and capable of both melody and accompanying drones.
• Psaltery played with a bow (occasionally) – Though usually plucked, some psalteries could be bowed along the instrument’s edge.

2. Plucked and strummed string instruments

• Lute – Pear‑shaped body with a rounded back, fretted neck, and multiple courses (pairs) of strings. Important in late medieval and Renaissance music.
• Citole / Cittern ancestors – Early plucked instruments with a flat body, metal strings, and a bright, penetrating sound.
• Harp – Triangular frame with open strings, plucked by the fingers; used both in courts and by wandering musicians.
• Lyre (late survivals) – Older lyre‑type instruments persisted in some regions, though they were less common by the high Middle Ages.

3. Struck or plucked board zithers

• Psaltery – A flat, often trapezoidal box with numerous strings stretched across the soundboard. The strings were usually plucked with fingers or plectra.
• Dulcimer (late medieval / early Renaissance) – A psaltery‑like instrument whose strings were struck with small hammers rather than plucked.

This thought is a quick overview of different kinds of medieval stringed instruments. You can create separate child thoughts (e.g., “Rebec”, “Vielle”, “Lute”, “Psaltery”, “Harp”) for more detailed notes on each instrument.