The Golden Age of Automatic Musical Instruments


Book Description

Image from the collections of Henry Ford Museum & Greenfield Village used on p. 14;neg. no. P.833.95043.2 Acc 1660.




Absolute Music, Mechanical Reproduction


Book Description

Recordings are now the primary way we hear classical music, especially the more abstract styles of "absolute" instrumental music. In this original, provocative book, Arved Ashby argues that recording technology has transformed our understanding of art music. Contesting the laments of nostalgic critics, Ashby sees recordings as socially progressive and instruments of a musical vernacular, but also finds that recording and absolute music actually involve similar notions of removing sound from context. He takes stock of technology's impact on classical music, addressing the questions at the heart of the issue. This erudite yet concise study reveals how mechanical reproduction has transformed classical musical culture and the very act of listening, breaking down aesthetic and generational barriers and mixing classical music into the soundtrack of everyday life.







Player Piano


Book Description

A treatise on how player pianos function, and how to get them back into top playing condition if they don't work. For beginners and experienced technicians alike.




Hidden Treasures


Book Description

While there are more than 15,000 museums in our country, visitors get to see only about five percent of any institution’s collections. Most museums simply don’t have room to display everything they’ve got. However, there are a wide variety of surprising and intriguing reasons that, for example, the Smithsonian Institution doesn’t display its collection of condoms, Florida's Lightner Museum locks up all but one of its shrunken heads, and a world-class stash of Japanese erotica (shunga) art was kept in the Honolulu Museum of Art's storage until only recently. Each item or collection included in this volume is described and placed in context with stories and interviews that explore the historical, social, cultural, political, environmental, or other circumstances that led to keeping that object or group of objects out of public view--the ultimate museum buff's voyeuristic experience. Color photographs of the artifacts are included.




The Music Sound


Book Description

A guide for music: compositions, events, forms, genres, groups, history, industry, instruments, language, live music, musicians, songs, musicology, techniques, terminology , theory, music video. Music is a human activity which involves structured and audible sounds, which is used for artistic or aesthetic, entertainment, or ceremonial purposes. The traditional or classical European aspects of music often listed are those elements given primacy in European-influenced classical music: melody, harmony, rhythm, tone color/timbre, and form. A more comprehensive list is given by stating the aspects of sound: pitch, timbre, loudness, and duration. Common terms used to discuss particular pieces include melody, which is a succession of notes heard as some sort of unit; chord, which is a simultaneity of notes heard as some sort of unit; chord progression, which is a succession of chords (simultaneity succession); harmony, which is the relationship between two or more pitches; counterpoint, which is the simultaneity and organization of different melodies; and rhythm, which is the organization of the durational aspects of music.




Buried in Treasures


Book Description

Describes the psychological roots of compulsive hoarding and presents practical strategies for treating and overcoming the behavior.







Gellerman's International Reed Organ Atlas


Book Description

This second edition of Gellerman's classic reference work is a must for collectors and aficionados of reed organs. Its aim is to present a complete listing and brief history of every manufacturer of reed organs in the world as an aid to the collector. In the 13 years since publication of the first edition, hundreds of new names and historical facts have come to light and are included in this revised edition. 89 illustrations. 104 photos.