How do I start?
where to find music
where to find people to play with
What instrument shall I play?
The answer depends on where you are coming from. You can play a modern instrument, but if you'd like to play a period instrument, see below for suggestions, and look at instruments for further information.
I can play a recorder
The recorder is a great instrument for early music.
If you like the early dance music and the more raucous sounding early music, then you might like to try some of the other early wind instruments, for example the reeded instruments like the crumhorn and shawms.
I can play a woodwind instrument
You are in a good position to move to one of the early wind instruments like the reeded instruments like the crumhorn and shawms. If you're a flute player, then you can play a renaissance flute.
I can play a violin or similar stringed instrument
Consider a viol
I can play a guitar
Have a look at lutes, theorbos, gitterns and citterns
I can play a piano
I can read music, but I can't play any instrument
Can you sing? If so, there is a great deal of early music for voices. If singing is not for you, then the first step is to learn an instrument! It's probably easier to start on a modern instrument, and then move to an early instrument. If you have a strong desire to play a particular instrument, then learn that one (it's always easier to learn something you enjoy), but if you don't have a strong preference, then the recorder is a good choice, with logical fingering and a lot of opportunities to play with other people.
Can we have a link page for more informal early music groups? Sure, but who are they? My monday crumhorn group. The friday evening early music group at my house. Ilkley U3A group - often though not always early, and Terry's more serious recorder orchestra in the morning. Must be similar groups for players of other instruments.
where to find people to play with
What instrument shall I play?
The answer depends on where you are coming from. You can play a modern instrument, but if you'd like to play a period instrument, see below for suggestions, and look at instruments for further information.
I can play a recorder
The recorder is a great instrument for early music.
If you like the early dance music and the more raucous sounding early music, then you might like to try some of the other early wind instruments, for example the reeded instruments like the crumhorn and shawms.
I can play a woodwind instrument
You are in a good position to move to one of the early wind instruments like the reeded instruments like the crumhorn and shawms. If you're a flute player, then you can play a renaissance flute.
I can play a violin or similar stringed instrument
Consider a viol
I can play a guitar
Have a look at lutes, theorbos, gitterns and citterns
I can play a piano
I can read music, but I can't play any instrument
Can you sing? If so, there is a great deal of early music for voices. If singing is not for you, then the first step is to learn an instrument! It's probably easier to start on a modern instrument, and then move to an early instrument. If you have a strong desire to play a particular instrument, then learn that one (it's always easier to learn something you enjoy), but if you don't have a strong preference, then the recorder is a good choice, with logical fingering and a lot of opportunities to play with other people.
Can we have a link page for more informal early music groups? Sure, but who are they? My monday crumhorn group. The friday evening early music group at my house. Ilkley U3A group - often though not always early, and Terry's more serious recorder orchestra in the morning. Must be similar groups for players of other instruments.