Music is one of the most mysterious branches of art. Today, everyone knows about such instruments as the piano, violin, guitar ... But some 500 years ago all this was not. The audience heard a completely different sound of old instruments, which were a bit similar to our modern ones, but still a little different.
Harpsichord
Perhaps the most famous ancient instrument that has become the prototype of modern piano. It looked like a mini piano, which spanned a range of 3, and later 4 octaves. Without harpsichord, it is difficult to imagine the sound of music from the era of Vivaldi and Bach. We associate this instrument with ancient times, magnificent dresses and chic balls. Its sound is a little cold, glassy, sharp, but at the same time very recognizable and characteristic of the Baroque era.
Viola
An ancient instrument that was included in the category of string-bow and was simply adored by nobles and high-ranking individuals. Outwardly, he looked very much like a violin, but was a little larger than it, and, most importantly, had six strings. The main feature of the viola was its sound - extremely soft, gentle, muffled, literally poetic. It was definitely a chamber instrument designed for parties and quiet dates. But he was replaced by a brighter and more eccentric violin.
Lyra
Only one name "lyre" immediately sends us to the time of the existence of ancient Greece. This is an old plucked instrument, which appeared back in antiquity, but was actively used by both professional and street musicians in the Middle Ages. Lira was present in the stories of Romeo and Juliet, Orpheus and Eurydice, Tristan and Isolde. The sound of this instrument is incredibly delicate, subtle, like droplets of dew.
Mandolin
Original Italian, incredibly beautiful and unique stringed and plucked instrument. We associate it with serenades under balconies, Italian medieval motifs, brave knights and beautiful milady. Many argue that this is a prototype of the guitar. However, the structure of the mandolin is such that it forms an incredibly delicate, subtle, velvet acoustics. In this case, the sound of the instrument is quite audible, but unsharp and unobtrusive.
Balalaika
In the list of ancient instruments one cannot ignore the achievements of the works of domestic carpenters and musicians. From time immemorial, our ancestors carried balalaikas with them so that at every opportunity they could play along, sing, dance and just cheer themselves up. On this plucked instrument of three strings, mainly strummed, the melody was quite primitive, but for the holidays and merry evenings it was quite enough.
Organ
The oldest and still the most magnificent ancient musical instrument in the world. His story begins in the era of the Babylonian kingdom, when he was still just a collection of such pipes, making a different sound. In the Middle Ages, the organ turned into something incredibly majestic, and even ominous for many - because it was the property of every church, which inspired fear in ordinary people.
Today, no one is afraid of the organ, its sound is admired and enjoyed. This is music that comes to us as if from time immemorial, amazes with its copper sound of numerous trumpets, it leaves no one indifferent.