I've been stumbling across many little bunny trails in my research lately that have led me along to hidden valleys; veritable treasure troves of information that have surprised and charmed me. They have been on a variety of topics; betrothal traditions, linguistics as defined by culture, and the mythological significance of bees, to name a few. They all end up leading me to forgotten stockpiles of knowledge and culture that make me happy to be a writer.

The most recent treasure hunt brought me to the vast world of medieval music and, honestly, after only fifteen minutes exploring youtube, it is a shame we always seem to fall back on simple things like straight flutes, harps, and mandolins when there are such instruments as the serpent, the shawm, and the organette.

So here is a thread for posting those musical gems you have discovered from around the world which should be known far and wide.

My most recent discovery is the clavicytherium. It is a basic machine, similar to a harpsichord, but smaller, and with the strings mounted upright so that it looks like a piano attached to a harp. It is not portable, but fits into a smaller space than a harpsichord, because of it's upright strings.

An excellent point.

I've discovered the crwth, which is a stringed instrument that looks kind of like a sled. It is played with a bow that looks like the weapon sort of bow, and it's rested on the shoulder while playing, like a violin.....ehhh, I can't explain it; here's pictures: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=crw ... edIndex=23
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=crw ... edIndex=24

There's the glass armonica. It sounds beautiful, and when you listen to it your ears have a hard time telling where the sound's coming from. Makes it ghostly. It looks like this: Picture - Nother picture

You turn the bar, usually with a foot treadle, and touch the bowl edges with your fingers to play it.

I really want to hear someone playing this instrument now.

I actually did hear someone playing it, once, but I can't remember what it was like at all now. T_T I was too young, I guess.