During the 1500s which was the Elizabethan era, music was an important part of people’s lives. This played a vital part all the time, in the houses, at the dinner table, at the courts and so on. One of the things that the Elizabethan music was known for was the steady rhythm and also the polyphony.
There were four types of instruments during that era which included strings, wind, percussion and even keyboard.
Some of those Elizabethan percussion instruments
Drum – this instrument consisted of a cylinder which was hollow and which had a membrane which stretched across each of the ends. There were called tambours. There were various types of drums which were used in the orchestra.
Cymbal – in Italian these are called Piatti and in German, they were called Becken and in French Cymbals. This Elizabethan percussion instrument consists of round metal plates which are usually made of an alloy of tin and copper which can be struck against each other.
Sometimes a single cymbal used to be hung or suspended and would be struck with a soft or hard stick. This instrument is quite ancient in its origin. When the two are struck together it makes a loud, crashing noise.
Triangle – this Elizabethan percussion instrument is one of the simplest types when it comes to design. It has a thin triangular frame which is made out of metal. It’s like a tin bar of metal which has been bent to shape it like a triangle. A metal beater is used to strike it.
This simple instrument actually demands a lot of concentration from its players. They need to count all the bars as well as the rests very carefully. When it is trilled it gives out a very high pitched tinkling sound or even a clanging rattle.
Tambourine – this Elizabethan percussion instrument is like a two in one instrument. It has a small drum which is hand-beaten in the normal manner where there is a clap of the hand and it also has a set of cymbals which are tiny.
These cymbals are arranged all around the circular frame of the instrument. These need to be shaken to get an effect of a tiny little rattle. The drum has a stretch of skin over it and then the cymbals attached. You can play this either with your knuckles or you can shake it.
More Info On- Elizabethan Audiences, Dancing and Music, Plays, Plays stage and theater, Keyboard Instruments
