Written by the undisputed expert in the field of medieval and renaissance music, and leader of the Early Music Consort of London. This book is an excellent exposition on early music and the musical instruments on which they were played. --- Contents: Foreword by Andre Previn - A note on pitch - The performers - Introduction - Part I: The Middle Ages - Woodwind reed instruments - Keyboard - Brass - Strings (with open strings only) - Percussion the drum types) --- Part 2: The Renaissance: Woodwind (Reed instruments without Reed-Cap) - Keyboard - Brass - Strings (the plucked instruments).