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List of period instruments facts for kids

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Hillclavichord
The clavichord is an example of a period instrument.

In the historically informed performance movement, musicians perform classical music using restored or replicated versions of the instruments for which it was originally written. Often performances by such musicians are said to be "on authentic instruments".

This article consists of a list of such instruments in the European tradition, including both instruments that are now obsolete and early versions of instruments that continued to be used in later classical music.

Renaissance (1400–1600)

Frauenfield Abbey, Switzerland, ca 1600 - regal organ - IMG 3904
Regal, c. 1600, from Frauenfeld Abbey, Switzerland

Strings

Woodwinds

  • Cornamuse
  • Cromorne
  • Crumhorn
  • Rackett
  • Rauschpfeife
  • Recorder
  • Shawm
  • Dulcian

Brasses

Keyboards

Percussion

Baroque (1600–1750)

Baroque violin and Violoncello da spalla
Baroque violin and violoncello da spalla or viola da spalla (cello like instrument often held to chest or shoulder by a strap while playing)

Strings

Harpsichord VitalJulianFrey
A double-manual harpsichord after Jean-Claude Goujon (1749)

Woodwind

Brasses

Keyboards

Percussion

Classical (1750–1820)

Clarinet 4 key anon Bate (1)
A Classical 4-key boxwood clarinet, ca. 1760

Strings

Woodwinds

Keyboards

Brasses

  • Buccin
  • Ophicleide—a Serpent replacement, precursor of the Tuba
  • Natural trumpet
  • Natural horn
  • Trombone
  • Post horn

Percussion

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List of period instruments Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.