Customer Reviews

Woodwind Instruments and Their History (Dover Books on Music)

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This is one of the best books that I have ever seen written on this subject. It was this book that got me really hooked on the possibilities that exist within the woodwind section. I particularly enjoy some of the time spent on the more obscure members (e.g. sarrusophone). The only thing that one may say it lacks is a more comprehensive section on the saxophone which is grouped as an exotic form of the clarinet. All in all this is a great book and a must have for all musicians.

"Woodwind Instruments And Their History" was chosen to be recorded for the blind and dyslexic by RFB&D. The book was written in the 1950s but apart from some British usages which may be strange to American readers, the book remains fresh and informative. The author's "voice" is often quite funny, deliberately so for the most part which is a refreshing change in what is essentially a textbook. As recommended by another reviewer, it is an excellent book for musicians. At the same time, anyone interested in the history of music can enjoy and learn from what is written. I am not musical, but I was delighted to learn while helping to record it.