The musical bow is usually considered one of the earliest instruments in the history of instrumental development; yet, the validity of this view has not been proven. In all likelihood, it was one among many other early instruments created to produce sound. The same can be said in general for all the simple chordophones called zithers, of which the musical bow is one type. The papers collected in this volume have been initially presented at the International Council for Traditional Music Colloquium (ICTM) held in Shanghai in December 2022. They try to challenge some previous depictions of instrumental development and one-sided explanations of musical histories. They specifically focus on exploring the interrelationship between instrumental development and the availability of natural resources in particular geographical regions. While the papers at the colloquium focused on sound production, they also explored the role of ethnomusicology as a discipline in guiding local decision making and interregional research co-operation.

This volume comprises fifteen selected papers in five chapters from the 27th ICTM Colloquium on Drums and Drum Ensembles along the Great Silk Road. It testifies to how human cultures are never created in seclusion. The richness of drums and drum ensembles, including their repertoires, are also connected to long-term exchanges in military affairs, trades, and religions of various peoples. Despite the obvious prevalence of drums among all peoples around the world, their understanding and their repertoires vary due to different contexts. The studies of music originating on the Silk Road presented in this volume pay particular attention to the multiple flows of knowledge between numerous distinctive regions in the narrower geographical and temporal scope.

This book is divided into two main parts: ‘The Tanbûr Tradition’ discusses the origin, history, construction and playing techniques of tanbûrs; ‘The Tanbûr Family’ focusses on long-necked lutes as a family of musical instruments. After a short introduction, the construction, playing technique, and musical traditions are discussed.

The companion volume to an exhibit of the same name at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston from July 2005 to January 2006 illustrates and describes the Museum's collection of instruments from Korea south to Java and west to Turkey, along with some loaned by local organizations. Clark, a researcher at the Museum's Department of Musical Instruments, includes notes on the pieces, a map, a glossary of musical terms, and lists of further reading and suggested listening. Annotation 2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com).

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