Questions: Stringed Instruments of the Middle Ages

by Wes Brandt

Originally published in American Lutherie #85, 2006

Fabio Ragghianti of Pietrasanta, Italy asks:

I’m looking for plans for stringed instruments of the Middle Ages: citara (kithara), fidula, and such.

Wes Brandt of Amsterdam, Holland responds:

No known examples of necked European stringed instruments survive from before about 1500, so they are known mainly through iconography and the written word. We can only surmise the thicknesses and internal structure. Also, seriously consider the type of stringing and string tension as you develop your own plan. The Early Music Shop in England (www.e-m-s.com/cat/stringinstruments/stringed.htm) has kits that may provide starting points for sizes and dimensions but are not to be taken as “historically correct.” A good site for photos and iconography is www.instrumentsmedievaux.org. Spend time on the Internet looking for references to books, journals, articles, essays, and iconography, then use interlibrary loans. Look for string makers such as NRI (www.nrinstruments.demon.co.uk/Guide.html), also early music societies, players, and other makers; and of course plans (``drawings’’ in England). Try searching in other languages as well; obviously you must learn the translated name of the instrument. ◆