thumb|240px|The [[clavichord is an example of a period instrument.]]
In the historically informed performance movement, musicians perform classical music using restored or replicated versions of the instruments for which it was originally written. Often performances by such musicians are said to be "on authentic instruments".
This article consists of a list of such instruments in the European tradition, including both instruments that are now obsolete and early versions of instruments that continued to be used in later classical music.
Renaissance (1400–1600)
thumb|300px|Regal, c. 1600, from [[Frauenfeld Abbey, Switzerland]]
Strings
- Violin
- Viol
- Viola
- Cello
- Lira da braccio
- Contrabass
- Violone
- Lute
- Theorbo
- Archlute
- Gittern
- Mandore
- Harp
- Cittern
- Vihuela
Woodwinds
- Cornamuse
- Cromorne
- Crumhorn
- Rackett
- Rauschpfeife
- Recorder
- Shawm
- Dulcian
Brasses
- Trumpet
- Cornett
- Sackbut
- Serpent
- Natural horn
- Slide trumpet
- Natural trumpet
- Horn
Keyboards
- Clavichord
- Harpsichord
- Regal
- Virginal
- Ottavino
- Organ
Percussion
- Drum
- Timpani
- Cymbals
- Bass drum
- Tabor
Baroque (1600–1750)
thumb|400px|right|Baroque violin and violoncello da spalla or viola da spalla (cello like instrument often held to chest or shoulder by a strap while playing)
Strings
- Violino piccolo
- Violin
- Viol
- Viola da gamba
- Viola
- Viola d'amore
- Viola pomposa
- Tenor violin
- Cello
- Violoncello piccolo
- Contrabass
- Colascione
- Violone
- Lute
- Theorbo
- Archlute
- Angélique
- Mandore
- Mandolin
- Baroque guitar
- Harp
- Hurdy-gurdy
thumb|250px|right|A double-manual harpsichord after [[Jean-Claude Goujon (1749)]]
Woodwind
- Baroque flute
- Chalumeau
- Kortholt (also known as Cortholt, Curtall, Oboe family)
- Dulcian
- Baroque oboe
- Rackett
- Recorder
- Oboe d'amore
- Oboe da caccia
- Contrabassoon
- Taille
- Cor anglais
Brasses
- Baroque trumpet
- Cornett
- Serpent
- Natural horn
- Slide trumpet
- Post horn
- Natural trumpet
- Horn
- Trombone
Keyboards
- Clavichord
- Harpsichord
- Spinet
- Organ
Percussion
- Drum
- Timpani
- Cymbals
- Bass drum
- Tabor
- Snare drum
Classical (1750–1820)
right|thumb|70px|A Classical 4-key boxwood clarinet, ca. 1760
Strings
- Violin
- Viola
- Cello
- Double bass
- Guitar
- Mandolin
Woodwinds
- Basset clarinet
- Basset horn
- Clarinette d'amour
- Clarinet
- Chalumeau
- Flute
- Oboe
- Bassoon
- Contrabassoon
- Cor anglais
Keyboards
- Clavichord
- Harpsichord
- Spinet
- Tangent piano
- Fortepiano (early Piano)
- Organ
Brasses
- Buccin
- Ophicleide—a Serpent replacement, precursor of the Tuba
- Natural trumpet
- Natural horn
- Trombone
- Post horn
Percussion
- Drum
- Timpani
- Cymbals
- Bass drum
- Snare drum
See also
- Castrato
- List of European medieval musical instruments
External links
- Early musical instruments
- Historical Brass Instruments as described by Antique Sound Workshop, Ltd.