The Rebec fiddle is an old European violin-like string instrument played with a bow. Featuring three strings, it serves as a great solo melodic instrument.
These instruments feature a distinctive peg box and a soundboard that distinguish them from gambas and vielles, as well as bows with different designs than violin bows.
Craft Your Own Rebec Fiddle: DIY Guide
Medieval instrument development occurred worldwide. The Middle East witnessed the creation of two-stringed instruments similar to violins resembling the rabab that used two strings resembling violins called rabab; from here emerged three-string instruments called rebec fiddles that eventually developed into pear-shaped fiddles with three strings which could be played either tucked under one's chin and using a bow to play them; these fiddles were known by name!
The rebec was an important milestone in the history of bowed instruments, being one of the first bowed instruments to gain widespread acceptance across Europe. This was due to early crusades which brought back souvenirs from Middle Eastern lands; often featuring one musical item at a time such as rebec which quickly gained traction as a popular instrument.
One of the hallmarks of modern rebecs was their use of catgut (animal intestine) rather than leather for their strings, enabling them to be lighter than previous stringed instruments and providing greater versatility - it could even be playing folk music!
Woodwork enthusiasts quickly realized that the Rebec Fiddle ease of construction made it an attractive home project to take on together as families or as part of an arts and crafts curriculum. Furthermore, elementary school students found this activity especially fun.
Although the rebec was an effective learning instrument, its sound wasn't as sweet or refined as what we have today with violins and other stringed instruments. Due to its less refined design and increased difficulty of playability, however, the rebec remained popular up until the 1800s.
Gerard Davis painted a rebec, from Stamford Church in England, in 1509. It depicts a sculpted figure playing a rebec fiddle; this standard pear-shaped instrument with three strings has three tailpieces and a "T"-shaped tailpiece attached directly to its soundboard; additionally, there are pegbox evidence and fingerboard fingerholes visible as well as several small soundholes visible; additionally, this instrument has an unusual shape more characteristic of gittern or lute than most typical rebecs;
Step-by-Step Rebec Fiddle Construction
The Rebec (also spelled Rebeckha or Rebch) is a medieval-period stringed instrument played with bow and string bowing techniques similar to those used on violins today, though without fretted tuning pegs. Believed to be its ancestor, its performance involves bowing its strings laterally across its soundboard just like on cellos or violins.
The number of strings varies; three is generally considered standard. Historically, these were tuned in fifths; however, this wasn't universally applied to every instrument played within this genre. Most often it was played within its treble range and composers wrote pieces specifically written for consorts of rebecs as well as violins.
As there are no physical examples of complete medieval or Renaissance Rebecs left today (except one known example, Venus Rebec below, that lacks any of their setups), our knowledge of these instruments comes mainly from textual descriptions as well as pictures and carvings from that period; some evidence can be dubious; therefore it should be assessed carefully.
Rebec bodies were typically round, while some unibodies existed as well; there is even an image of one with a neck attached that allowed for stringing and playing at either chin or chest level. Similar to modern violins, it was typically played using its bow held in one hand from either chest level up toward shoulder level for optimal playing performance; its small size often gave way to harsh or shrill voices when played loud enough.
One surviving piece of wood carving shows what the rebec looked like during its brief 16th Century appearance, prior to any changes taking place. Here, its body remains round while its soundboard becomes more pointed with no back slats. Furthermore, there is now only half-length fingerboard inlays of ebony down its neck; a floating tailpiece and simple arched bridge also exist and fingerboard with only half-length inlays of ebony have also been observed; pegbox now uses sickle rather than scroll; endpeg cord no longer exists and endpeg/cord cord arrangements were observed either.
Rebecs re-appeared again during the 17th Century as more complex, handcrafted instruments carved with intricate F's or C's that adorned its soundboard and string holes compared to earlier examples of this instrument type.
Homemade Rebec Fiddle Making: Step-by-Step
The rebec was popular during medieval and Renaissance Europe. Featuring a narrow boat-shaped body with one to five strings, the instrument was considered an ancestor of the violin.
Rebecs are played with bows and produce high-pitched, sharp sounds often described as shrill. According to various texts, their sound resembles that of female voices.
Medieval Europe venerated rebecs as court instruments (as evidenced by numerous depictions of Kings playing them), and whole courts would maintain ensembles of musicians to play them. Their popularity soon extended into rising burghar households who hired minstrels to entertain their residents with live musical entertainment in their homes.
Some modern musical groups, including the original Michael Nyman Band and Les Cousins Branchaud from Quebec both boast rebec players in their lineups. Tina Chancey of Hesperus uses it for some early bowed stringed instruments; Ensemble Micrologus from Italy also incorporates it.
Rebecs originally originated as wooden instruments but later evolved to include metal and glass varieties as well. Wood remains the most popular choice, however. Most wood rebecs feature traditional pear shapes with either straight backs or rounded backs carved by master craftspeople and often have pegboxes featuring bent backs to emulate the sound of lute or gittern instruments.
Rebecs are usually constructed out of wood such as spruce and maple, with the former typically used more often due to its ability to produce louder tones than its counterpart. Some models even feature mahogany or sycamore for an added layer of sound production and aesthetic appeal. Some rebecs even boast carvings for added visual flair.
As with any project, when building a rebec it is critical that appropriate tools and materials are utilized during its construction. Furthermore, it is recommended to seek expert advice prior to beginning this endeavor. For optimal results it is also vital that dimensions are properly understood so as not to cause unnecessary cutoffs during cutting of pieces.
Unlock Rebec Fiddle Crafting: Detailed Guide
Medieval periods saw the beginning of global bowed instrument innovation. The Middle East witnessed breakthroughs with instruments like the rebec, which features three strings in a half-pear shape. It appears to have been an early derivative of the Arabian two-string spike fiddle, likely which provided its inspiration. Violins as we know them today didn't appear until later.
The Rebec was held horizontally and played with its chin raised. Although depictions of Rebec players often depict this method of play, experts generally agree that its optimal placement should actually be held closer to the chest than raised above chin; this was actually its preferred mode.
Ellis Peters (12th century) Brother Cadfael stories featured the rebec as one of its mainstays; its protagonist made his living by playing this instrument. Although rare now, its beauty and unique sound make it worth noting. Crusading knights would often bring one back as souvenirs from crusade tours; with effort and the proper materials you could even craft your own rebec fiddle to add to your collection! A rebec fiddle may be smaller than traditional violins, yet it uses a similar string length and requires a different bow than regular violins do!