Renaissance Rock and Courtly Dance
Musical Terms/History Studies
Name
This assignment due
™ Match each definition to the correct term, then add the corresponding symbol or abbreviation in
the box (where provided).
1. mezzo forte
2. piano
3. Moderato
4. forte
a. loud
b. medium soft
c. soft
d. medium loud
e. medium tempo
5. mezzo piano
Recorders and the Renaissance
No one knows for certain when the recorder originated. Guillaume de Machaut (1300 - 1377)
writes about a variety of “flutes”, some of which might have been recorders.
During the fifteenth century, the recorder came into more widespread use, being added to the
range of “soft” instruments suitable to be played by well-to-do amateurs. Evidence from paintings
suggest that at this time, the recorder was often played with various combinations of
harp, fiddle and lute.
In the sixteenth century, the way the recorder was used changed, becoming a
consort instrument, with instruments of different sizes being played together. In the
early sixteenth century, three sizes of recorder were commonly used to play four part
pieces.
Choosing to play a particular instrument is a very personal matter. Recorder is a good choice
for many people to try. Some thoughts to consider about recorder:
™
™
™
™
The recorder is a real instrument with a repertoire of its own.
It is a distinctive instrument with a character of its own.
It is a deceptively simple instrument.
A beginner can quickly achieve effective results, but it is sufficiently demanding at an
advanced level to last a lifetime.
© 2006 Neil A. Kjos Music Company. This page authorized for duplication.