This book is directed towards a wide audience including not only the relative newcomer to the wonders of music but also those presently engaged in the study of an instrument or pursuing music as a profession, musical instrument dealers and collectors.

A comprehensive encyclopedia of musical instruments, covering all sections of the orchestra: strings, woodwind and brass, percussion, keyboard and the voice, as well as historical, rare and non-western instruments. An illustrated guide to instruments and their historical relatives, with specially commissioned photographs of all the modern instruments. Famous players, orchestras and concert halls, and the role of the composer and the conductor. A history of music-making, beginning with man's first discovery of music and its development in the ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, India, China and Japan, charting key turning points such as the invention of the bow and valves, and ending with the modern instruments of the twentieth century. Includes information on the evolution of the orchestra -- from medieval consorts, baroque and classical orchestras, through to the modern symphony orchestra we know today. Explores other forms such as folk music, brass and military bands, country music, jazz bands, big bands and pop groups.

With entries on topics ranging from non-Western instruments to distinctive rhythms of music from various countries, this one-stop resource on global music also promotes appreciation of other countries and cultural groups. A perfect resource for students and music enthusiasts alike, this expansive three-volume set provides readers with multidisciplinary perspectives on the music of countries and ethnic groups from around the globe. Students will find Music around the World: A Global Encyclopedia accessible and useful in their research, not only for music history and music appreciation classes but also for geography, social studies, language studies, and anthropology. Additionally, general readers will find the books appealing and an invaluable general reference on world music. The volumes cover all world regions, including the Americas, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, and Asia and the Pacific, promoting a geographic understanding and appreciation of global music. Entries are arranged alphabetically. A preface explains the scope of the set as well as how to use the encyclopedia, followed by a brief history of traditional music and important current influences of music in each particular world region.

A reference guide to musical instruments.

Organ, Volume 3 of the Encyclopedia of Keyboard Instruments, includes articles on the organ family of instruments, including famous players, composers, instrument builders, the construction of the instruments and related terminology. It is the first complete reference on this important family of keyboard instruments that predated the piano. The contributors include major scholars of music and musical instruments from around the world.

With more than 1,000 detailed illustrations this comprehensive encyclopedia presents the entire history of music instruments, organized according to geographical regions and time periods.

In this volume, sixty-eight of the world's leading authorities explore and describe the wide range of musics of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Kashmir, Nepal and Afghanistan. Important information about history, religion, dance, theater, the visual arts and philosophy as well as their relationship to music is highlighted in seventy-six in-depth articles.

This comprehensive encyclopedia gives an overview of the way music has developed, beginning with ancient civilizations through to the present day. The section on music-making shows how instruments, ensembles and orchestras evolved and all the elements that co-ordinate to make them function. The book then provides an illustrated guide to the most influential composers: those who have defined or developed particular styles of composition, and who have created for themselves a significant place in music history. Over 100 composers are featured, including the pre-eminent Bach, Mozart and Beethoven, other greats such as Vivaldi, Schubert and Tchaikovsky, and modern composers such as Carter, Boulez and Stockhausen.

First published in 2000. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.