"Music doesn't come out of nothing. It always starts somewhere... with something... with someone. Discover how music is made in this survey of musical instruments from around the world. Organized by material-from wood to gourds to found objects and more-Before Music marries a lyrical core text with tons of informational material for curious readers. In the narrative text, readers will encounter makers as they source their materials and craft instruments...

"... 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."--

Describes the features, sounds, and role of each musical instrument in the orchestra

Describes the orchestra and includes information on composers, instruments, and the conductor.

Text and pictures introduce musical instruments from early times to the present--from pipes and flutes to electronic synthesizers

Examines various technologies used to make music, including acoustic guitars, electric guitars, synthesizers, composition software, cassette tapes, and CDs and DVDs

Presents the science of sound and music, including how sound is made, how the ear hears sounds, and how different musical instruments are made