Tudor Instruments - Stringed Instruments - Worksheets and ...

Name: _________________________
Tudor Instruments - Stringed Instruments
Stringed instruments were popular in
Tudor times and were used to accompany
singers, play as solo instuments or in
groups. The most popular stringed
instruments are described below.
The Harp
This was smaller than the harp we know
today with fewer strings.
The Citole
This instrument had a fretted neck and
wire strings which were plucked.
The Viol
This fretted instrument is similar to the
modern violin although it was played
sitting down with the instrument resting
between the legs of the player.
The Hurdy Gurdy
This unusual instrument was played by
turning a small wheel with one hand while
the other hand pressed down on the strings
to adjust their pitch.
The Psaltery
The psaltery was played sitting down with
the instrument placed on the performers
lap. Two feather quills were used to pluck
at the strings, one in each hand.
The Rebec
This instrument was pear shaped and
usually had just four strings. It was played
with a bow.
Things to Do:
Match the description of the instrument
with the correct picture. Draw a line
from each description to the picture.
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Tudor Music 4

Name: _________________________
Fanfares - Composition Time!
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Tudor Music 7
A fanfare would be played during the Composers have written fanfares from
entrance of an important person, such the earliest of times right through to the
as King Henry VIII, Elizabeth I or other present day. Early brass instruments had
nobility.
a very limited range of notes and so a
fanfare would be based around a few
Fanfares were usually played on trumpets notes. Today they might be more ornate
because they made an impressive and as our instruments include a wider range
dramatic sound.
of notes.
Here
`*A*A-5*A*A-5[5-5+)*)is
an example of a simple fanfare:
`***A)-5zz-5u5=
Things to Do:
Play this fanfare through on the recorder
or another suitable instrument. Now try
adding a drum roll to your fanfare. The
National Anthem is an example of a piece
that starts with a drum roll before the main
theme or tune begins. What other percussion
could you add? Try them out.
Now try to compose your own fanfare using
the notes G, B and D.
( _ Q
G B D
`4444444444444444
`4444444444444444

Name: _________________________
King Henry VIII
Henry VIII was a very intelligent man who
spoke and wrote several languages fluently,
including Latin. He wrote poetry, studied
philosophy and religion, often having
heated debates with the learned thinkers
of the age. You might not believe he was a
good athlete also, because when we look
at pictures of him he tends to be older, not
looking so very fit!
Henry was very musical and had a large
collection of musical instruments. He was
said to have been a very talented musician
who composed ballads and church music,
although these have all been lost. He played
several instruments and when he died he
left a collection of instruments that included:
5 Bagpipes
78 Recorders - Henry VIII was an exceptional
recorder player.
78 Flutes
1 Mechanical Virginal
Henry also enjoyed grand pageants and
banquets. These included a jester who sang
and played practical jokes on the guests,
music to dance to and musicians who sang
for the King’s pleasure.
A selection
of different
sized Tudor
recorders.
Things to Do:
Imagine you were planning an evening of entertainment for King Henry
or Queen Elizabeth. Design a programme to advertise your event. Include
some of the music you have studied, for example ‘Pastime with Good
Company’ or ‘Greensleeves’. Include jesters, singers and musicians playing
instruments.
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FREE WORKSHEET: This sheet may be printed from a personal computer and/or copied for educational use
Tudor Music 21