Recorders are well in force at most workshops. They come in all sizes, from little school recorders to big, deep, expensive ones. The little ones are usually too shrill for our workshops, but anything bigger is welcome, whether wooden or plastic. The nicest recorders for renaissance music are the special wide-bore ones, which are loud and chiffy.

Viols likewise come in different sizes: the bass works best at our workshops.

Don’t feel you can’t come because you haven’t got the ‘right’ instrument! Plain ordinary instruments are welcome in some of our workshops. It’s more about how you play it.

But we do use early instruments for most of our workshops because they suit the music well, being less romantic and mostly a bit quieter. And they don’t remind us of Beethoven while we’re trying to play Byrd. NB: We normally play at concert pitch (A=440Hz).

Singers should use little or no vibrato. You will be singing from music, possibly in Latin.

Modern violins are rather loud and need to be restrained. To get nearer the baroque sound, try playing without vibrato, taking short gentle strokes with most notes detached, aiming for a dance feel, like a traditional player. Welcome at some workshops (especially ones that include dance) - best to check first.

Renaissance fiddles and rebecs are quieter still. They will be very welcome at dance workshops and many others.

Classical and folk guitars will be welcome at most workshops, but there won’t be a guitar part - you will be playing from the continuo part or even from a bass line and guessing the chords.

Modern flutes and oboes are sometimes welcome - definitely check first. Early flutes and folk-style flutes will be welcome at most workshops, especially if you can control the intonation. Shawms and dulcians will be welcome where the workshop calls for ‘loud winds’.