Customer Reviews

Musical Instruments of the World: An Illustrated Encyclopedia with more than 4000 original drawings

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This book is the very best guide to the instruments of the world I have ever seen. I bought it back in the 80's when it was first published, and I still use it today when I need to see what a Kalimba from the Sudan might look like (or other such unusual specific). The Diagram Group is the fantastic assemblage of artists that illustrated and produced this most handsome volume. Each page is a masterpiece of design and "infographics" and, although printed in two-color only, shines with a level of detail and expertise you will not find elsewhere.

I can't say enough about how good this book is. If you have any reason to enjoy the vast number of musical instruments mankind has created, and if you want to know the hows, whys and wheres about musical instruments, then get this book! I think it's so good that I'm ordering a new one to replace my dog-eared copy.

Encyclopedia showing every musical instrument you can think of, from its primitive origins to modern orchestral versions. No photos, but good detailed drawings that show multiple variations of native instruments. Minimal but clear discussion on construction, method of playing, sound production etc. Attractive layout, thorough and apparently scholarly. Originally British, published in 1976.

I am a digital samplist, and therefore need to be able to get an idea of what any instrument in the world may look like so I can associate an image with sounds in my libraries. This book has really helped me get a handle on world instruments. I recommend it highly for those needing such documentation.

I've owned this book since 1978 and it has been a constant companion and reference guide. It's absolutely wonderful, and I recommend it unreservedly for musicians, academics and fans alike!

I saw this book in my local library and liked it so much I had to go out and buy a copy for myself.

I have found several instances of bad scholarship in this book concerning instruments of which I have some knowledge (The section on harpsichords, for example, is total trash). I am therefore unwilling to trust it in areas where my knowledge of a specific instrument group is limited. Usually in books of this sort you can forget the words and look at the pictures; not so here - they're a combination of bad line drawings and blotchy derivations of photographs used to skimp on printing costs.