Instrumental Music in the Renaissance Period

... Lauren Wood Instrumental Music in the Renaissance Period Until the beginning of the 16^th century, instruments were considered to be far less important than voices. They were used for dances, of course, and to accompany vocal music - but here they only 'doubled' (that is play the same music as) the voices, or perhaps took over the voice parts when certain singers were unavailable. During the 16^thcentury,however, composers took greater interest in writing music specially intended for instruments only-not only dances, but pieces purely for playing and listening. During both the Medieval period and the Renaissance period, instruments divided into two broad groups: bas ('low', or 'soft') instruments for music in the home; and haut ('high', or 'loud') instruments for music in churches, in large halls, or in the open air. A few, by the type of sound they made, could belong to both groups. Some instruments, such as

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