* Early Christmas carols were largely vocal: The earliest forms of Christmas carols were sung, often in a cappella style, without any instrumental accompaniment.
* Instruments varied by region: Over time, instruments were incorporated, but the specific ones varied depending on the region and available instruments. Popular choices included:
* Lutes: Common in medieval and Renaissance Europe.
* Pipes: Simple instruments like bagpipes were also used in some areas.
* Hurdy-gurdies: A string instrument popular in some regions.
* Drums: Used for rhythmic accompaniment.
* The concept of "carol" evolved: What we consider a "carol" today is quite different from the early forms of Christmas songs.
In essence, it's more accurate to say that early Christmas carols were sung with a variety of instruments, depending on the time and place.