Dearling, Robert

Presents an illustrated introduction to the development of musical instruments, including keyboards and ensembles, percussion and electronic instruments, strings, woodwinds and brass, and non-Western and obsolete instruments.

Summary: Surveys the musical instruments of the world, from the mainstays of Western music to those found on other continents and in other cultures. Includes sections on the evolution of instrumental groups, writing for the orchestra, conductors and conducting, and the origins and aims of the Authentic Revival.

Traces the evolution of the traditional instrument families, including woodwind and brass, strings, percussion, and keyboard, and discusses the history, use, construction, and development of each instrument. Includes an exploration of non-Western instruments and ancient or obsolete Western types.

Presents an illustrated introduction to non-Western and obsolete instruments, featuring alphabetically arranged entries that provide descriptions of blown, plucked, banged, and miscellaneous types of instruments, including the alphorn, bagpipes, lute, sansa, anvil, handbells, and others.

Presents an illustrated introduction to stringed instruments, looking at the viol, violin, viola, cello, double bass, harp, guitar, and a selection of rare stringed instruments.

Lists musical facts including the bizarre, intriguing, funny, and downright insane. Topics covered include instruments, composers, music sung and played, concerts, and more.

Text and illustrations present a brief history of music and instruments in general, and profiles of woodwind and brass instruments that cover their individual history, construction, and significant uses in performances and compositions.

Presents an illustrated introduction to keyboard instruments and ensembles, looking at the clavichord, harpsichord, virginal, spinet, piano, organ, and other miscellaneous keyboards; and discussing chamber ensembles, the early orchestra, the modern orchestra, and orchestra music composition.