Medieval Saaremaa islanders could only listen to live music. It is known from later times that people themselves sang a great deal. Apparently, primarily women sang in Estonia. At the same time, it is known that in 1170, Estonian warriors sang and danced before going into battle. People sang as they worked, they sang for entertainment, and at the time of weddings, funerals, and other rituals.
Medieval Saaremaa islanders primarily sang runic songs, in which there is a lead singer and a choir. These songs are like stories told through song without instrumental accompaniment. Runic song is not a concert, these songs are meant for people to sing along with them.
Musical instruments such as the kannel (Estonian zither), drums, and simple horns were known in 13th-century Saaremaa. It is believed that the bagpipe arrived in Estonia in around the 12th or 13th century, and it quickly became very popular.
Keskaegsed saarlased said kuulata üksnes elavat muusikat. Hilisemast ajast on teada, et väga palju lauldi ise. Eestis olevat laulnud eelkõige naised. 1170. aasta kohta on samas teada, et enne lahingut eesti sõdalased laulsid ja tantsisid. Lauldi töö kõrvale, meelelahutuseks, pulmade, matuste ja muude riituste ajal.
Keskaegsed saarlased laulsid peamiselt regilaule, milles on eeslaulja ja koor. Need on nagu laulu läbi jutustamised, ilma pilli saateta. Regilaul pole kontsert, see on mõeldud kaasalaulmiseks.
13. sajandi Saaremaal tunti selliseid pille nagu kannel, trumm ja lihtne pasun. 12.–13. sajandi paiku arvatakse olevat Eestisse jõudnud torupill, mis sai kiirelt väga populaarseks.