Encyclopedia of musical instruments

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.

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.

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.

Provides an illustrated introduction to percussion and electronic instruments; examines the evolution and role of the timpani, side drum, and bass drum; features an alphabetical listing of other percussion instruments; and discusses instruments of futurism, musique concrete, synthesizers, and computer music.