Abstract
There has been an awakening of interest during the past few few years in the study and performance of Renaissance woodwind instruments. One reason for this is the availability of these instruments. Individuals and groups in all parts of the world turn out faithfully accurate copies from detailed drawings of the period or directly from museum specimens. The prices are reasonable and the waiting period, if any, is fairly short. Universities, colleges, small organizations and individuals have acquired many playable specimens and are purchasing more. Renaissance instruments are inferior in many ways to our modern instruments, but there has been increasing interest to hear music of the era reproduced as authentically as possible. This paper is designed to be used as a manual - something with which to better understand the Renaiasance woodwind instrument, either as a listener or performer.