Publisher Description

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!)

Including a stunning central gatefold that opens out to reveal the family tree of musical instruments, this 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!

Author Biography

Nancy Dickmann grew up in the USA, but she has now lived in England long enough to think that cold and rain are normal. She is an experienced children's non-fiction writer, a Mastermind champion, and a classically trained pianist who now teaches piano to children and dabbles in cello, guitar and ukulele.

Sue Downing studied at Edinburgh College of Art and has worked as a designer and maker of jewellery, greeting cards and wrapping paper, as well as a character developer and freelance illustrator.

Table of Contents

Percussion Instruments: 23 instrument entries, locator map, feature
spreads on 'drums around the world' and 'music and war' - Stringed instruments: 23 instrument entries, locator map, feature spread on 'the orchestra' - Wind instruments: 23 instrument entries, locator map, feature spreads on 'Super-size instruments' and 'the voice' - Weird and Wonderful instruments: 21 instrument entries, locator map, feature spread on 'Marvellous modified instruments' - Each section also includes a 'make your own instrument' activity.

Promotional

Travel the world of music from your own living room! This beautifully illustrated book covers a huge range of musical instruments, with an emphasis on vibrant cultures across the planet.

Long Description

A visual celebration of the huge variety of instruments played across the world. 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 foldout poster. 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!) Including a stunning central gatefold that opens out to reveal the family tree of musical instruments, this 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!

Promotional "Headline"

Travel the world of music from your own living room! This beautifully illustrated book covers a huge range of musical instruments, with an emphasis on vibrant cultures across the planet.

Feature

Travel the world of music from your own living room! Covers a huge range of musical instruments, with an emphasis on vibrant cultures across the planet.

Details