Loud Versus Soft.

Musical instruments were divided into two fairly discrete groups—loud and soft—each group having specific functions and repertories; the two groups were rarely mixed together. The "loud" instruments were trumpets, bagpipes, shawms (double-reed instruments rather like the modern oboe), and drums. These instruments were assigned ceremonial functions, mostly out of doors, and were never found in the company of voices. The remaining "soft" instruments—bowed and plucked strings, woodwinds, and keyboard instruments—were played individually or in ensembles; some of them accompanied voices. The instruments that are described in this section are those most often seen in visual art and mentioned in literature.

Bagpiper and other instrumentalists with King David, Olomouc Bible, Olomouc University Library, Czech Republic, 1417. THE GRANGER COLLECTION, NEW YORK.

Trumpets.

Trumpets came in several sizes, shapes, and materials. Straight trumpets approximately six feet in length and often made of...