List of period instruments

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)

Regal, c. 1600, from Frauenfeld Abbey, Switzerland

Strings

  • Violin
  • Viol
  • Viola
  • Cello
  • Lira da braccio
  • Contrabass
  • Violone
  • Lute
  • Theorbo
  • Archlute
  • Gittern
  • Mandore
  • Harp
  • Cittern
  • Vihuela

Woodwinds

Brasses

Keyboards

Percussion

Baroque (1600–1750)

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

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

Woodwind

Brasses

Keyboards

Percussion

Classical (1750–1820)

A Classical 4-key boxwood clarinet, ca. 1760

Strings

Woodwinds

Keyboards

Brasses

Percussion

See also

External links

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  • Historical Brass Instruments as described by Antique Sound Workshop, Ltd.
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