What Are Baroque Instruments?

Between 1600 and 1750, Europe experienced the Baroque period, which served as a transition between the Renaissance and Classical periods. The instruments used in the Baroque period were largely the same as those used in the Renaissance, though many had undergone technological and mechanical advancements. The violin family evolved during the Baroque period, replacing the viol family of stringed instruments that was popular during the Renaissance. Organs and harpsichords, among other keyboard instruments, played a significant role. Also popular were wind instruments.

The violin was the most popular Baroque instrument. Because they lacked frets, stringed instruments played with bows during this time differed from modern instruments. The violin family reached its pinnacle during the Baroque period. During this time, Stradivarius created his violins, which are considered masterpieces that no other craftsman has been able to match. The cello, viola, and double bass were other stringed instruments that used bows at the time.

Another stringed instrument used in Baroque music is the guitar. It had gut frets that were tied around the neck of the guitar. These Baroque instruments had nine or ten strings and were smaller than modern guitars.

Orchestras first appeared during the Baroque period. The trumpet and French horn were the most common brass instruments used in orchestras during the Baroque period. Unlike modern trumpets and French horns, these Baroque instruments lacked valves, which were not invented until the nineteenth century. Because of the lack of valves, brass was only used as a flourish to add color to orchestral compositions. Trombones were also used on occasion, but these Baroque instruments were much smaller than today’s trombones.

The harpsichord, which was invented in the 14th century, rose to prominence in Johann Sebastian Bach’s compositions during the Baroque period. The shape of most harpsichords was narrower and longer than that of the piano, which wasn’t invented until the 19th century. When the keys on the harpsichord were pressed, the strings were plucked. Two strings were connected to each key on some harpsichords, while one string was connected to each key on others. Bach also composed a large number of organ works.

The most common woodwind Baroque instruments were oboes, flutes, and bassoons, with the recorder, a Renaissance holdover, still in use. Many Baroque-period flutes were designed so that the musician blew into a mouthpiece on one end rather than across a hole, as is the case with modern flutes. Wood was used to make woodwind instruments during this time period.