Written by Aaron Sapp
Instruments started to get developed professionally during the Medieval era, but they were merely the basic building blocks for musical classification. Classification of instruments was immensely progressed in the Renaissance period through a flood of new combinations of instruments accompanied by complex composition. Classes such as: string, woodwind, brass, keyboard, and percussion became more developed and combined consistently to create carefully thought out pieces. Certain instruments became favored by geniuses like Claudio Monteverdi who was a highly respected Italian court artist. He would master a viola and inspire music makers to further the perfection of the string class. Many instruments would be introduced during that time period in Italy that are still used today like the cello. As music progressed, cultured powerhouses like Germany, Austria, Greece, and Italy would continue to produce influencers who would further the use of these instrument classes, and eventually drive music into the Baroque and Classical eras. These eras would see the likes of Beethoven, Mozart, and Bach. Instrument makers like the Italian Stradivarius, German Theobald Boehm, and Flemish Hans Ruckers’ would master the violin, flute, and harpsichord respectively. They would provide a precedent of quality that has continued to the modern era.
Instruments have continued to evolve with the use of electricity. Many more sounds are available to use because of this, and less natural sounds that resemble the original instrument can now be created instantaneously. Original instruments and percussion such as snare drums, violins, flutes, and guitars can be manipulated through the touch of a computer and a sound engineer. This new influx of computerized music has made classical music exactly that—classic. Although it may not be as appreciated as it used to be, its influence is tattooed on the fabric of modern music.
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