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.

A comprehensive overview of the origin of the world's best-known musical instruments, presenting many fascinating facts along the way. Niccolo the cricket would like to become a musician. But which instrument should he start with? The violin? The guitar? The trumpet? All at once? Well, he does have six limbs, so why not? In any case, Niccolo and his trusty companion Luciano the nightingale travel the world as they learn about musical instruments of all kinds, from simple drums to the most sophisticated church organs. Do you know what didgeridoo, shamisen, or vozembouch are? Would you rather become a member of symphony orchestra or a rock band? Let ́s find out! If you are interested in music at least a little, join Niccolo and Luciano and learn the stories of musical instruments along with them.

Take a musical tour with students in grades 5 and up using Musical Instruments of the World! This 80-page text explains the history and evolution of musical instruments. It also includes information on the development of music on each continent; percussion, brass, string, and wind instruments; and a discussion on symphonies, chamber orchestras, and other ensembles. The book presents information through fun activities and interesting facts for maximum learning reinforcement. It covers music terminology extensively and includes a glossary and answer keys.

How on Earth do you play a bass that's 3.5 metres tall? How can you play a theremin without touching it? Can you turn a cave's stalactites into an organ? (spoiler alert: yes, you can!) This beautifully-illustrated book is a visual celebration of the huge variety of instruments played across the world, from those you know to those you almost certainly don't. Grouped into percussion instruments, wind, and string, as well as the weird and wonderful that defy categorization, readers will discover how they are all related to each other in 'families', and enjoy exploring the musical family tree as a fold-out poster. Around the World in 80 Musical Instruments covers traditional instruments from various cultures, such as the gamelan and mbira, as well as the creations of modern artists and musicians, such as the Wintergatan Marble Machine and the eerie-sounding yaybahar. Readers will even discover a band that plays exclusively on instruments fashioned from fresh vegetables, and makes the offcuts into soup to serve to the audience! Including: Percussion: Cajon, Maraca, Mbira, Monkey stick, Stalactite organ, Piano, Steelpan, Gong, Standing bell, Skrabalai, Castanets, Treshchotka, Cantaro, Taiko, Talking drum, Shekere, Daf, Jaw harp, Cimbalom, Ferrinho, Guiro, Gamelan, XylophoneString: Violin, Cello, Erhu, Imzad, Jouhikko, K'ni, Earth harp, Celtic harp, Begena, Koto, Appalachian dulcimer, Ukulele, Guitarron, Charango, Guitarron chileno, Mouth-bow, Balalaika, Bouzouki, Oud, Sitar, Tanbur, Kora, Hurdy-gurdy Wind: Dizi, Nose flute, Siku, Ateneben, Ocarina, Calliope, Algaita, Balaban, Nadaswaram, Trumpet, Serpent, Alphorn, Digeridoo, Putatara, Vuvuzela, Saxophone, Mijwiz, Alboka, Kazoo, Sheng, Hulusi, Bagpipes, AccordionWeird and Wonderful: Wheelharp, Yaybahar, Vegetables, Melody road, Marble machine, Adapted instruments, Glass armonica, Hydraulaphone, Sea organ, Theremin, Moog synthesiser, Zeusaphone

An introduction to percussion instruments.

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.