Musical instruments

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The Harp No Longer Sings by Jenny Dolfen

Musical instruments of different types appear in the legendarium.

Dwarven musical instruments

Among the Dwarves, several types of instruments are recorded in the stories from Middle-earth. Thorin and Company played the following instruments at the unexpected party at Bag End:

Apparently, other members in Thorin's Company also played the harp, since it is written that the dwarves produced "music of harps and of fiddles" when visiting Lake-town.[2] In Smaug's treasure, Fíli and Kíli found "many golden harps strung with silver": these were magical (and apparently forged by Dwarves[3]), always staying in tune.[4] The Dwarves of Khazad-dûm were also known as players of the harp.[5]

Elven musical instruments

There and Back Again speaks about "elven-harps",[6] and the harp is indeed frequently associated with the Elves. Among the elven peoples known to have performed the harp are the Elves of Mirkwood,[7], the Galadhrim,[8] and the Vanyar.[9] Other instruments known to have been used by Elves include the flute,[10] and trumpets (although mostly spoken of being used in battle).[11]

Hobbit musical instruments

At Bilbo's Farewell Party, hobbits were heard playing "'trumpets and horns, pipes and flutes, and other musical instruments". Among these other instruments were "musical crackers" (which "contained instruments, small, but of perfect make and enchanting tones") and bells.[12]

Mannish musical instruments

The Rohirrim are said to have played the harp.[13] As Aragorn passed the streets of Minas Tirith during his coronation, the Gondorians played "music of harp and of viol and of flute".[14] The Númenóreans had trumpets,[15][16] although it is unknown if they were used for musical purposes.

Ainu musical instruments

Among the Ainur, Ulmo is said to have made music upon his great horns of white shell, the Ulumúri.[17]

References