| | TimbrelHistory, Facts and interesting information about Medieval music, specifically, Timbrel Definition and Description of the Timbrel
Definition and description of the Timbrel: The Timbrel was introduced to Europe during the period of the crusades and the name 'tambourine' was adopted and commonly used to describe the instrument. The Timbrel dates back to antiquity and was known to be an instrument which was used in Ancient Eygpt. The timbrel is also known by the names of tabret or tympanum. The Timbrel can be described as a small shallow drum with only one skin, played on with the hand, and having bells at the sides. The Timbrel consists of a flat wooden or metal ring, over one end of which is stretched a parchment or vellum head. In the circumference of the ring nine or ten metal disks or small bells are fitted which jingle as the Timbrel is struck by the hand, or just waved through the air. The timbrel was traditionally used by women as illustrated in the picture below. Family of Instruments: The Timbrel belongs to the family of Percussion instruments. 
Tambourine or Timbrel Medieval Musical Instruments - Timbrel
Medieval Musical instruments, including the Timbrel, would be used by the musicians of the period including the Waits, Minstrels or Troubadours. There were three categories of musical instruments in the Middle Ages - wind, string and percussion. Terms of description were Bas instruments and Haut instruments. Bas referred to soft instruments (literally, "low," but referring to volume, not pitch) which were suitable for the chamber which included the vielle, rebec and other bowed strings, the lute and other plucked strings. Haut referred to loud instruments (literally "high" but referring to volume, not to pitch) which were suitable for outdoors which included the shawm, sackbut, pipe and tabor. Read the above history, facts and information about the Timbrel. 
The Waits Medieval Music - Timbrel
The Medieval Times website provides interesting facts, history and information about the musicians and styles of music which scatter the history books including Timbrel. The Medieval Life and Times Sitemap provides full details of all of the information and facts about the fascinating subject of the lives of the people who lived during the historical period of the Middle Ages. The content of this article on Timbrel provides free educational details, facts and information for reference and research for schools, colleges and homework for history courses and history coursework.
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