Traces the evolution of the traditional instrument families of woodwind and brass, strings, percussion, and keyboard, from ancient times, and offers examples of unfamiliar instruments. Entries on individual instruments provide background on their history, use, construction, and associated music, and discuss personalities and technologies that have influenced its development. Contains sections on the traditional instruments, electronic instruments, ensembles, the authentic revival, and non-Western and obsolete instruments, with color and bandw photos and illustrations on every page. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

A reference guide to musical instruments.

"One of the nicest things.is that you don't have to be a musician to love it. It's a browser's delight."--The New York Times It's the best-looking musical encyclopedia ever! Using a completely visual approach, this ultimate reference has over 4,000 drawings showcasing the evolution of instruments--and music--from primitive whistles to electric guitars (complete with fuzz box and pedal). Exquisite illustrations accompany each entry, with painstaking detail and attention to structure, function, and decoration. Most extraordinary is the range of instruments included: orchestral, popular, classical, ancient, and folk. Classed by family groups, they are cross-referenced with material on geographical distribution and historical periods. Plus scores, diagrams of correct playing techniques, major figures, and other fascinating information provided by over forty researchers, writers, and illustrators, in cooperation with 200 scholars from 20 countries!

The art of music-making has existed for thousands of years. This fascinating book begins with a history of music-making, posing the questions What is music? and What is a musical instrument? . A visual directory is organized according to families of instruments: strings, woodwind and brass, percussion and keyboards, as well as a section on the voice. Comprehensively written and beautifully illustrated with over 450 photographs, the book covers a wide range of instruments and their historical relatives. It also provides a complete history of music-making and the orchestra, making it an indispensable reference for music lovers everywhere.

"...Written by the most revered authors of mechanical music, this entirely new hardcover book... contains over 900 pages packed with the history of every major American builder of coin pianos and orchestrions, plus pictures of every known model." -- adapted from Amica.org.