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Music
Just like today, music played a very important role in Louisbourg. People played music to celebrate special events, to provide entertainment as well as to just pass the time. The instruments used and type of music played are very different from what we are used to today. Most instruments were either string or percussion.
The harpsichord is a stringed instrument which resembles a piano. The difference lies in the mechanism that vibrates the strings. A harpsichord plucks the strings while a piano hammers the strings.
The violin was developed in the early 16th century. It is believed that it was developed in the northern part of Italy. The earliest violin was an amalgamation of features in two existing instruments; the lira de brocca and the Renaissance fiddle.
The violin was the most popular instrument in 18th century Louisbourg. Many people owned one because it was relatively inexpensive and available most of the year.
The pochette is a small unfretted fiddle. It usually has four strings though some are known to have three. The pochette was developed in the 16th century as an instrument that could be played by many persons. As its name implies, the pochette was very small.
The earliest reference to the guitar comes from an early 15th century Italian source. In the 18th century, the guitar was known as the "Spanish guitar". This particular style of guitar carried five pairs of strings, though earlier ones had four pairs. The baroque guitar is similar to the modern acoustic guitar, however much smaller.
This is a stringed instrument that is bowed mechanically. It's three major parts are: a set of melody and drone strings, a resin coated wooden wheel which acts like a bow, and a keyboard with tangents that bear on the strings when depressed.
The hurdy gurdy dates back to the 12th century. It became a popular instrument however it's social standing varied. In the 17th century, it was considered a beggars' instrument.