Dorian Mirth

Musicians | History | Instruments | Music

About the instruments

	The Recorder is a wind instrument of the flute family. It is known to have existed in Europe as early as the 10th century and was the principal flute instrument for hundreds of years. In the 15th century it was made in a variety of sizes due to the music literature of the time, and by the 17th century it became a very important solo, chamber, and orchestral instrument. The recorder is suited for a variety of musical styles, ranging from the dances of the middle ages and Renaissance to the concerti of the Baroque era. Dorian Mirth has a large range of recorders: bass, tenor, alto, soprano, sopranino, and the extremely wee garklein.
	A descendant of Egyptian and Middle Eastern plucked instruments and a precursor to the modern guitar, the Lute was the most popular English and European instrument of the Renaissance. A version of the instrument was introduced in Europe in the 10th century and was developed into its most well-known form in the 15th Century. Over the next 200 years, more literature was written for the lute than for any other instrument. Lute music is written in tablature, a unique musical notation. Dorian Mirth's lute is a 7-course 13-string Allen and Kormylo Renaissance model.
	The Psaltery is a stringed music instrument that originated in the Middle East. Numerous references are made to it in the Bible. It appeared in Europe in the 12th century and flourished until the late Middle Ages. Though usually plucked, a bowed version developed over the course of its popularity. "I will sing a new song unto thee, O God: upon a psaltery and an instrument of ten strings will I sing praises unto thee. (Psalm 144:9)"
	The Celtic Harp - Harps are plucked stringed musical instruments of ancient origin, the earliest known evidence of them being paintings from 1300 B.C. Thebes. It has been played by peoples of nearly all lands throughout the ages in different forms. The Irish are generally credited with bringing the harp to Europe, but it is believed by some scholars that the harp was actually brought to Europe from Egypt by the Phoenicians in pre-Christian times as a trade good. In either case, the harp was particularly popular with the Irish from the 9th century. They adopted the small instrument still in use, called the Irish harp, as a national symbol. The larger instrument was well known on the Continent by the 12th century.
	It is believed that the history of the Guitar began in the ancient Near East (Babylonia). In Egypt and Rome, ancient instruments had features that characterize them as probable predecessors of the guitar. The instrument is thought to have been brought by the Moors to Spain as early as the 12th century. 14th Century depictions of the instrument can be found in a number of cathedrals in France, Spain, and England. It was very popular in Spain in the 15th and 16th centuries, when much music was written for it.
pictures coming soon	The zither "The zither plays a siren’s role She holds me captive, heart and soul." Franz von Kobell
pictures coming soon	The Mandolin is a descendant of the medieval-Renaissance mandola, a small lute-like instrument from Italy. It emerged in the 15th or 16th century and gained great popularity by the 18th century. Although it is commonly associated with folk and bluegrass music, the mandolin has a rich history as a classical instrument, as Vivaldi, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven have all composed music for it.
	Percussion, including: Hand Drum Claves are two short, round sticks made of solid wood. The two sticks are banged together to give a sharp crack. One stick is held with the hand cupped, and the other stick is used as a beater. The Tambourine can be traced back to most ancient civilizations such as India, Greece, China, Egypt, and Rome. It is also the instrument on which Miriam played after the Israelites escaped from Egypt in Exodus 15:20. It was often associated with joy, dancing, rejoicing, victory, and times of happiness and gladness. Egg Tupan, a two-headed drum originating in the areas of Turkey and Bulgaria Finger Cymbals, aka "Dings, often seen with Middle-Eastern type dancing, though we usually play them two-handed for sparse accent.

This page last updated June 19, 2005