Musical Instruments

Welcome to the Musical Instruments Research Guide! This guide introduces resources on each instrument of the modern symphony orchestra as well as instruments found in historical, popular music, and non-Western contexts. Begin at the General Resources page where you will find links to reference databases like Oxford Music Online as well as print works that can be of assistance. Next explore pages on each family of classical instruments, including Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, and Keyboards. Several instruments such as Oboe, Saxophone, and Piano have their own dedicated guides with guides for other instruments coming soon.

Beyond the common instruments of classical music, the page Historical Instruments looks at Western instruments from earlier eras and considers issues of performance practice. Instruments of Popular Music focuses on instruments more characteristic of jazz, rock, and other genres like the electric guitar, banjo, and drum set. At Non-Western Instruments, you will find resources on instruments of Asian, African, and other cultures like the sitar, zheng, koto, and oud. Finally, Instruments in the 3D Collection includes information on instruments held by Education, Music and Media and available for you to borrow. Know of a resource not included in this guide? Feel free to email the Music Librarian and they will add it. Or, suggest an item for purchase, if it is a resource not currently owned by University Libraries.