Musical instruments, from the simplest pipes and drums to those of the utmost complexity, have formed an integral part of the cultures of all peoples of the world from the beginning of time. Their range and diversity have inspired the skill and genius of maker, composer, and player. This book is a celebration of that achievement, examining in one alphabetical sequence the astonishing variety of Western and non-Western acoustic musical instruments. Individual entries encapsulate the essential information about the instrument considered. Each entry offers a concise description and, with the aid of numerous line drawings, illustrates details of its construction. Playing techniques are also discussed and major entries draw attention to significant developments in the history of the instrument. Dr Baines also deftly conveys the sound of the instrument and highlights characteristic examples of its use within the orchestral repertoire or, for ethnomusicological instruments, within rites of passage. Musical examples elucidate these points and the whole text is beautifully illustrated with over one hundred photographs. There are general articles on the instruments of specific periods, such as the Renaissance or Baroque, and the instruments of individual continents are considered as an entity. Instruments are also treated by family (woodwind, etc.) and by other common groupings, such as orchestra, brass band. In addition the book deals with a whole range of related subjects, for example acoustics, pitch, chord symbols; methods of playing, such as harmonics, circular breathing; and also such topics as fakes and forgeries and oddities like walking-stick instruments. There is an Appendix of makersmentioned within the text and full bibliographical details are provided for the books and other sources cited. In all, this book bears witness to the author's lifelong passion for musical instruments in all their splendid variety and is distinguished by his elegant prose and
Anthony Baines is the retired Curator of the Bate Collection of Historical Instruments in the University of Oxford. The author of several books and articles on instruments, he co-founded the Galpin Society, formed in 1946 to promote the study of musical instruments, and edited its journal 1956-63, and from 1971.
Show moreMusical instruments, from the simplest pipes and drums to those of the utmost complexity, have formed an integral part of the cultures of all peoples of the world from the beginning of time. Their range and diversity have inspired the skill and genius of maker, composer, and player. This book is a celebration of that achievement, examining in one alphabetical sequence the astonishing variety of Western and non-Western acoustic musical instruments. Individual entries encapsulate the essential information about the instrument considered. Each entry offers a concise description and, with the aid of numerous line drawings, illustrates details of its construction. Playing techniques are also discussed and major entries draw attention to significant developments in the history of the instrument. Dr Baines also deftly conveys the sound of the instrument and highlights characteristic examples of its use within the orchestral repertoire or, for ethnomusicological instruments, within rites of passage. Musical examples elucidate these points and the whole text is beautifully illustrated with over one hundred photographs. There are general articles on the instruments of specific periods, such as the Renaissance or Baroque, and the instruments of individual continents are considered as an entity. Instruments are also treated by family (woodwind, etc.) and by other common groupings, such as orchestra, brass band. In addition the book deals with a whole range of related subjects, for example acoustics, pitch, chord symbols; methods of playing, such as harmonics, circular breathing; and also such topics as fakes and forgeries and oddities like walking-stick instruments. There is an Appendix of makersmentioned within the text and full bibliographical details are provided for the books and other sources cited. In all, this book bears witness to the author's lifelong passion for musical instruments in all their splendid variety and is distinguished by his elegant prose and
Anthony Baines is the retired Curator of the Bate Collection of Historical Instruments in the University of Oxford. The author of several books and articles on instruments, he co-founded the Galpin Society, formed in 1946 to promote the study of musical instruments, and edited its journal 1956-63, and from 1971.
Show moreAnthony Baines is the retired Curator of the Bate Collection of Historical Instruments in the University of Oxford. The author of several books and articles on instruments, he co-founded the Galpin Society, formed in 1946 to promote the study of musical instruments, and edited its journal 1956-63, and from 1971.
I`a straightforward, unfussy dictionary format, with clear
cross-references...for quick reference The Oxford Companion to
Musical Instruments is little short of ideal. And in addition to
its value as a working tool, dipping into the book offers a great
deal of entertainment and no little elucidation.' BBC Music
Magazine
'ravishingly authoritative'
Paul Driver, Financial Times
`A large and comphensive dictionary ... gives the reader accurate
information on all the usual musical instruments and most of the
unusual ones, however bizarre. This is a reference book of immense
importance and interest. D.R.C., The Organ Winter 1992 Vol 72,
283
'offers concise and interesting explanations of instruments the
world over'
Classical Music, January 1993
'This new book is an essential reference work for all school and
college libraries where the study and practice of music is taken
seriously. All its contents have been displayed with the utmost
clarity with the text of the volume in double columns. The volume
should provide a valuable Companion for many years to come, and
will open up the subject for many new readers in a very handy and
compelling way.'
The Consort, Odemetsd Foundation
'This encyclopedic work provides rich detail about the standard
orchestral instruments, describes hundreds of obscure instruments
from both hemispheres, and explains such terms as "cross-fingering"
and "overblowing".'
Symphony, March/April 1993
'Anyone sufficiently interested in musical instruments to be
reading GSJ will find the Companion a friend for life, and should
rush out and buy a copy instead of reading reviews.'
Raymond Parks, Galpin Society Journal, XLVII
'This is a tour de force, the work of a master. However much you
know about instruments, about any instrument, you will learn more
here. Also, it's a pleasure to read.'
Jeremy Montagu, FOMRHI Quarterly, No. 69, October, 1992
'Anyone sufficiently interested in musical instruments to be
reading GSJ will find the Companion a friend for life, and should
rush out and buy a copy instead of reading reviews. It is the kind
of book that is not easy to consult for just a single word at a
time without getting drawn to a host of others one hadn't thought
of asking about. The book is excellent value for money: ... the
contents are wholesome and appetising. It is a solid reference work
to
which one turns again and again with pleasure and confidence,'
Raymond Parks. The Galpin Society
`Many scholarly books exist about the history and development of
musical instruments, but seldom does one encounter a single volume
which covers this vast subject quite so comprehensively and in such
an accessible manner as Anthony Baines' carefully researched volume
... has covered virtually every aspect of this vast field, and few
music lovers or musical scholars will find a lack of any of the
basic information they might be seeking ... excellent value
... this is the perfect ready reference guide for any music lover
or music student, all of whom should have a copy on their music
bookshelf - but don't merely turn to it when you need to look up a
reference
- it is also enourmous fun to dip into at random since one can
glean a great deal of truly fascinating information. On every page
one senses the author's passion and love for his subject.'
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