Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments

by Vladimir Gadjev and Bozhidar Abrashev

Book Overview

Clearly arranged, the structure of the book provides a quick overview of the history, symbolism, construction and playing technique of each of the instruments discussed. The Illustrated Encyclopedia... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 3829060793
• ISBN13: 9783829060790
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: Konemann
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 3.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 8.4" x 11.2"

Customer Reviews

Why this one is the best

I looked at several books before deciding. Max Wade-Matthews Encyclopedia of Music: Instruments of the Orchestra and the Great Composers is the best for providing history and overall information on major instruments and composers and uses limited photos. Musical Instruments of the World is organized by instrument with volumes of black and white illustrations of variations and changes over time. It shows how they are held and played and gives a brief history. Robert Dearly's Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments is organized by major instruments with a small section of non-western. It covers the history in text but does not picture the derivatives. Contains limited pictures and illustrations. I chose The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Musical Instruments: From All Eras and Regions of the World as the most comprehensive and visual. It does not cover the composers. It is organized by time periods and continents showing the 4 families of instruments and their variations. Brief texts discuss history, how to play, and how they were used. Over 1000 excellent illustrations are a great reminder of the University of South Dakota's National Music Museum's thousands of worldwide instruments displayed. This book is a substitute for all the photos I could not take and the stories behind them. Once you see this book you won't be satisfied with another. I was initially concerned that the illustrations would not be as detailed as photos. They are better. The best features of all the other books seemed to be combined in this one.

Great Book for the NBCT Test

I loved this book - it helped with studying for the world music portion of the the National Boards in music. I also found it good for my music class as it is very detailed and shows instruments that I really did not know myself.

Well Done

We bought this for our sons 12th birthday -- he is really into music. It is a great book for him with good visuals and variety to expand his perspective beyond modern day gear. Of course, it is not exhaustive, but we are very pleased considering the reason we purchased it. Informational but not overly academic, there is enjoyment in the learning with enough content to provide a good stepping stone for a person wanting to 'graduate' to something more intensive.

Great overview coffeetable reference book for musicians, composer, artists...

A great gift for musicians and artists. Great overview book --- cool little painted illustrations of all the instruments --- they kind of look somewhere between photos and paintings -- it gives the whole book a nice consistent look. Professionals might think the tone/text content a little remedial (primarily on the 'contemporary' instruments like Electric Guitars/Synthesizers, etc. -- the text sounds a little corny to a pro "yeah, yeah, I know what a volume knob is and what a pick-up is...") -- but overall a great way to reference all the world's regions and cultures and their instruments. I gave one of these to a composer friend who does soundtracks for films/TV -- and he's used it several times to quickly zero in on an odd or unique instrument he'd may not have been able to research quite as easily.