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30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Harpsichord was a popular instrument in Europe between the 15th and 18th centuries. Pressing a key on the instrument's keyboard lifts a jack (a long strip of wood) that holds a small plectrum (a wedge-shaped piece of quill, now usually plastic), which plucks the string. When the player releases the key, the jack falls back and a felt damper at the top of the jack stops the string vibratiing. The term harpsichord is used to cover a family of instrument, but more specifically a grand-piano-shaped instrument with a triangular case accommodating long bass and short treble strings. Harpsichords can have one, two, and sometimes even three keyboards, which are called manuals. Single manual harpsichords usually have two sets of strings per note, whilst double manual harpsichords usually have a third set of strings that sounds one octave higher than played. The upper manual was originally used for transposing; and later for contrast of tone with the ability to couple the registers of both manuals for a fuller sound.
This instrument was made in 1720-1725 by Benjamin Slade in London. It is a single-manual Harpsichord. English Harpsichords were similar to French ones with the introduction of a new register: the lute. They were noted for their luxurious tone.
Harpsichords are assigned the number 314.122-6-8 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
31 = Simple Chordophones. Instruments which are in essence simply a string or strings and a string bearer
314 = Board Zither. Instrument uses a string bearer that is shaped like a board, or is the ground.
314.1 = Instrument with strings parallel to the string bearer.
314.12 = Instrument has a resonator.
314.122 = Box Zither. Instrument has a resonator made from slats.
314.122-6-8 = Strings are caused to vibrate by plectrum and keyboard.
30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Piano (or Pianoforte) was developed in Italy in the late 17th century. Pressing a key on the piano's keyboard causes a felt-covered hammer to strike steel strings. The hammers rebound, allowing the strings to continue vibrating. These vibrations are transmitted through a bridge to a sounding board. When the key is released, a damper stops the string's vibration.
This instrument was made around 1805 by Johann Friedrich Kuhlbörs in Breslau, Silesia (now Wroclaw, Poland). It is a Viennese-action Piano with the orientation of the hammer was reversed and the hammer head closer to the player.
Pianos are assigned the number 314.122-4-8 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
31 = Simple Chordophones. Instruments which are in essence simply a string or strings and a string bearer
314 = Board Zither. Instrument uses a string bearer that is shaped like a board, or is the ground.
314.1 = Instrument with strings parallel to the string bearer.
314.12 = Instrument has a resonator.
314.122 = Box Zither. Instrument has a resonator made from slats.
314.122-4-8 = Strings are caused to vibrate by a keyboard and hammers.
25th March 2018 at the British Museum (Great Court), London WC1.
The Marimba consists of a set of wooden keys with resonators, which are struck with mallets. It was developed in Guatemala from a Mayan instrument.
The instrument was taken up in the western world, first in vaudeville in the USA and then between 1940 and 1960 as an orchestral instrument. The design of the Marimba became more sophisticated. A Concert Marimba can have a range of up to 5 octaves.
This instrument is a 5 octave Adams (1994 Van Sice Model).
Marimbas are assigned the number 111.212 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
1 = Idiophones. Sound is primarily produced by the actual body of the instrument vibrating, rather than a string, membrane, or column of air.
11 = Struck Idiophones. These idiophones are set in vibration by being struck.
111 = Directly Struck Idiophones. The player himself executes the movement of striking; whether by mechanical intermediate devices, beaters, keyboards, or by pulling ropes, etc.
111.2 = Percussive idiophones. The instrument is struck either with a non-sonorous object (hand, stick, striker) or against a non-sonorous object (human body, the ground).
111.21 = Percussion sticks.
111.212 = Sets of percussion sticks.
30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Tuohitorvi is a Finnish wooden trumpet with with birch bark binding. It was originally used by shepherds to communicate and to scare away unwanted animals. There is a mouthpice, five finger holes and a thumbhole.
This instrument was made around 1975 in Finland.
Tuohitorvis are assigned the number 423.21 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
42 = Non-free aerophones. The vibrating air is contained within the instrument.
423 = Trumpets. The player's vibrating lips set the air in motion.
423.2 = Chromatic Trumpet. The pitch of the instrument can be altered mechanically.
423.21 = Trumpets with Fingerholes.
24th September 2020 at Horniman Museum, London SE23.
The. Khaen (or Kaen or Khene) is a mouth blown free reed instrument with vertical pipes found in Laos and northeastern Thailand (with similar instruments in Cambodia and Vietnam). It has a carved hardwood windchest into which air is blown through a hole. Inserted into it are a number of bamboo pipes of different lengths (the longer the pipe the lower the note). Fingerholes are burned into the pipes andthe instrument will sound when these are closed. Each pipe contains a small metal free reed (sometimes made from old coins that have been hammered into very thin sheets). Khaen are made in four types based on the number of pipes: six, fourteen, sixteen, and eighteen. Those with fourteen pipes are called Khaen Jet. The size of Khaen vary substantially, both between types and with instruemnts of the same type. Anything from 0.4 to 5 metres.
These instruments were made in Laos. The one on the left before 1874 and the one on the right aroubnd 1980.
Khaen are assigned the number 412.132 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
41 = Free Aerophones. The vibrating air is not contained within the instrument.
412 = Interruptive Free Aerophones. The air-stream is interrupted periodically.
412.1 = Idiophonic Interruptive Aerophones or Reeds. The air-stream is directed against a lamella, setting it in periodic vibration to interrupt the stream intermittently.
412.13 = Free Reed Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
412.132 = Sets of Free Reads.
16th December 2017 at Union Chapel, London N1 (Eliza Carthy gig).
The Accordion is a bellows driven free reed instrument. From the 1820s onwards several different free reed instruments were invented across Europe (the first to use the name Accordion was patented in Vienna in 1829). They evolved into three main types of instrument: Diatonic, Chromatic and Piano Accordions (as well as Concertinas).
The Diatonic Accordion is operated by pressing buttons or keys which allows air to flow across the reeds (these are strips of brass or steel) which vibrate to produce sound. It is bisonoric (the buttons make one note when the bellows are compressed and another when they are expanded).
The Melodeon is the name used In England for the Diatonic Accordion (though the player may well be using an instrument manufactured in continental Europe and known there as an Accordion). A Melodeon has between 1 and 3 rows of button on the right hand side.
This instrument was made by the Italian company Castagnari. Probably a 2½ row Dony (21 + 5 buttons and 12 bass buttons).
Melodeons are assigned the number 412.132 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
41 = Free Aerophones. The vibrating air is not contained within the instrument.
412 = Interruptive Free Aerophones. The air-stream is interrupted periodically.
412.1 = Idiophonic Interruptive Aerophones or Reeds. The air-stream is directed against a lamella, setting it in periodic vibration to interrupt the stream intermittently.
412.13 = Free Reed Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
412.132 = Sets of Free Reads
20th May 2011 at the Jazz Café, London NW1 (Lokandes provided support at Susana Baca gig).
The Cowbell is a bell and clapper attached around the neck of free-roaming livestock (usually cows) to keep track of them.
It has been adapted as a musical instrument across the world, but is particularly associated with Latin American music (where it is called a Campana). Striking different parts of the instrument varies the sound, which can be dampened by holding it with a hand.
Cowbells are assigned the number 111.242.1 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
1 = Idiophones. Sound is primarily produced by the actual body of the instrument vibrating, rather than a string, membrane, or column of air.
11 = Struck Idiophones. These idiophones are set in vibration by being struck.
111 = Directly Struck Idiophones. The player himself executes the movement of striking; whether by mechanical intermediate devices, beaters, keyboards, or by pulling ropes, etc.
111.2 = Percussive idiophones. The instrument is struck either with a non-sonorous object (hand, stick, striker) or against a non-sonorous object (human body, the ground).
111.24 = Percussion vessels.
111.242 = Bells. The vibration is weakest near the vertex.
111.242.1 = Individual bells.
7th August 2016 at Horniman Museum, London SE23.
The Sheng is a Chinese mouth blown free reed instrument with vertical pipes. It dates back to at least 500 BC. Originally the Sheng had 17 pipes. The numbers have successively increased, with the modern chromatic Sheng having keys and 32 to 38 reeds
This instrument was made before 1912.
Shengs are assigned the number 412.132 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
41 = Free Aerophones. The vibrating air is not contained within the instrument.
412 = Interruptive Free Aerophones. The air-stream is interrupted periodically.
412.1 = Idiophonic Interruptive Aerophones or Reeds. The air-stream is directed against a lamella, setting it in periodic vibration to interrupt the stream intermittently.
412.13 = Free Reed Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
412.132 = Sets of Free Reads.
4th May 2017 at the Fair Grounds Race Course (Cultural Exchange Pavilion), New Orleans, USA.
The Campana is the name often used in Latin music for a Cowbell (Campana is Spanish for bell), but it also used for the metal brake drums played by the comparsas or street carnival ensembles in the east of Cuba. The brake drums from old American automobiles are particularly prized. They are hit with a metal beater. Originally frying pans were used by the campanas.
Campanas [Brake Drums] are assigned the number 111.221 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
1 = Idiophones. Sound is primarily produced by the actual body of the instrument vibrating, rather than a string, membrane, or column of air.
11 = Struck Idiophones. These idiophones are set in vibration by being struck.
111 = Directly Struck Idiophones. The player himself executes the movement of striking; whether by mechanical intermediate devices, beaters, keyboards, or by pulling ropes, etc.
111.2 = Percussive idiophones. The instrument is struck either with a non-sonorous object (hand, stick, striker) or against a non-sonorous object (human body, the ground).
111.22 = Percussion plaques.
111.221 = Individual percussion plaques.
8th June 2018 at Old Cranleighan Club, Thames Ditton, Surrey.
The Concertina was developed in the 1830s in both England and Germany. It differs from the Accordion in having buttons in the same direction as the bellows rather than perpendicular. There are two keyboards of buttons, one at each end of the instruments bellows. Each button has an individual note.
There are several different types of Concertina. The English Concertina is octagonal and unisonoric (the same note on push and draw). The German Concertina (Chemnitzer) is rectangular and bisonoric (a different note on push and draw). There is also an Anglo-German Concertina (usually just called an Anglo) developed later in the 1860s which is closer to the English shape (usually hexagonal) and has the German note system. Other difference between the English and Anglo Concertinas are: the former have thumb straps and the latter hand straps, the rows of buttons on the former are straight and on the latter slightly curved downwards. The Duet Concertina is harder to pin down as there are a number of different systems. They are all unisonoric and have the bass notes are on the left side and the treble are on the right. The player can then play the melody on the right hand, with an accompaniment on the left, thus the name Duet.
This instrument is a Lachenal 55 button Crane system Duet Concertina.
It follows what has become known as the Crane System. Crane & Sons Ltd. of Liverpool launched this in 1912 under the name Triumph, and the instrument was adopted by the Salvation Army. This system is the second most popular of the Duet Concertinas (after the Maccann or McCann system). It differs from the latter in having 5 rows of buttons for either hand rather than 4. In the case of the 55 key instrument, 30 keys for the right hand and 20 for the left.
Concertinas are assigned the number 412.132 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
41 = Free Aerophones. The vibrating air is not contained within the instrument.
412 = Interruptive Free Aerophones. The air-stream is interrupted periodically.
412.1 = Idiophonic Interruptive Aerophones or Reeds. The air-stream is directed against a lamella, setting it in periodic vibration to interrupt the stream intermittently.
412.13 = Free Reed Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
412.132 = Sets of Free Reads.
21st July 2016 at Horniman Museum, London SE23.
The Bentside Spinet is small Harpsichord with an approximately triangular shape. The side on the right has a double curve toward the right rear corner (hence the name of the instrument). It is distinguished from the Harpsichord in that the strings and spine run transversely to the player and are not parallel to the key levers. The Bentside Spinet originated in Italy but was most popular elsewhere, particularly England.
This instrument was made in the last quarter of the 17th century by John Player in London.
Bentside Spinets are assigned the number 314.122-6-8 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
31 = Simple Chordophones. Instruments which are in essence simply a string or strings and a string bearer
314 = Board Zither. Instrument uses a string bearer that is shaped like a board, or is the ground.
314.1 = Instrument with strings parallel to the string bearer.
314.12 = Instrument has a resonator.
314.122 = Box Zither. Instrument has a resonator made from slats.
314.122-6-8 = Strings are caused to vibrate by plectrum and keyboard.
30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Guzheng (or Zheng) is a plucked zither. There are moveable bridges under each string. This distinguishes it from another zither, the Guqin, which also has fewer strings. The modern version of the Guzheng has 21 nylon strings (rather than the traditional silk).
This instrument was in the 19th century in South China. It has 16 strings.
Guzhengs are assigned the number 312.22 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
31 = Simple Chordophones. Instruments which are in essence simply a string or strings and a string bearer
312 = Tube Zither. Instruments where the string bearer is a vaulted surface.
312.2 = Half-Tube Zithers. The strings are stretched along the convex surface of a gutter.
312.22 = Heterochord half-tube zithers.
30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Ntongoli is a bowl lyre of the Soga people of the Busoga region of eastern Uganda. The same instrument is called the Endongo when played by the Ganda people of the Buganda region of south central Uganda. It has 8 strings and a wooden soundbox covered with animal skin (e.g. monitor lizard, cow).
This instrument was made in 1968. It has 4 strings of twisted cattle sinew and 4 of fishing line nylon.
Ntongolis/Endongos are assigned the number 321.21 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
32 = Composite Chordophone. Acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments which have a resonator as an integral part of the instrument, and solid-body electric chordophones.
321 = Lutes. Instruments where the plane of the strings runs parallel with the resonator’s surface.
321.2 = Yoke Lutes or Lyres. Instruments where the strings are attached to a yoke which lies in the same plane as the sound-table and consists of two arms and a cross-bar.
321.21 = Bowl Lyres. A natural or carved-out bowl serves as the resonator.
24th January 2019 at the Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow (with Korrontzi supporting Green Fields of America).
The Accordion is a bellows driven free reed instrument. From the 1820s onwards several different free reed instruments were invented across Europe (the first to use the name Accordion was patented in Vienna in 1829). They evolved into three main types of instrument: Diatonic, Chromatic and Piano Accordions (as well as Concertinas).
The Diatonic Accordion is operated by pressing buttons or keys which allows air to flow across the reeds (these are strips of brass or steel) which vibrate to produce sound. It is bisonoric (the buttons make one note when the bellows are compressed and another when they are expanded).
Trikitixi was originally applied to a Basque instrumental group containing an Accordion, but these days more commonly applies to the instrument itself. It is a Diatonic Accordion which came to the Basque Country in the 19th century from Italy or France. It has two right hand rows (keyed a fifth apart) and 12 bass buttons. It combines both actions, the treble buttons being bisonoric and the bass buttons unisonoric.
Trkitixis are assigned the number 412.132 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
41 = Free Aerophones. The vibrating air is not contained within the instrument.
412 = Interruptive Free Aerophones. The air-stream is interrupted periodically.
412.1 = Idiophonic Interruptive Aerophones or Reeds. The air-stream is directed against a lamella, setting it in periodic vibration to interrupt the stream intermittently.
412.13 = Free Reed Instruments. Instrument features a reed which vibrates within a closely fitting slot.
412.132 = Sets of Free Reads.
15th January 2016 at National Portrait Gallery, London WC2 (Kalia gig).
The Cretan Lyra is a 3 string bowed instrument which developed from the Byzantine Lyra. It is carved out of a single piece of wood and is held upright when played.
This is a modern version of the instrument with additional sympathetic strings.
Cretan Lyras are assigned the number 321.321-71 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
32 = Composite Chordophone. Acoustic and electro acoustic instruments which have a resonator as an integral part of the instrument, and solid body electric chordophones.
321 = Lutes. Instruments where the plane of the strings runs parallel with the resonators surface.
321.3 = Handle Lutes. Instruments in which the string bearer is a plain handle.
321.32 = Necked Lutes. Instrument in which the handle is attached to, or carved from, the resonator, like a neck.
321.321 = Necked Bowl Lutes. Instrument with a resonator made from a bowl, either natural or carved.
321.321-7 = Instruments where the strings are vibrated by bowing.
321.321-71 = Instruments where the strings vibrated using a bow.
24th April 2018 at the Rich Mix, London E1 (Toko Tele gig).
The Travel Guitar is a contemporary version of a Parlor Guitar (some use the names interchangeably, others try to define differences). The intention is that they are portable and inexpensive. Capable of being put in a backpack to take to a camp site or beach or be stowed in an airplane overhead compartment. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, though most are full or nearly full scale-length. The two main versions have either a narrower width or are easily disassembled e.g. the neck detaching from the body.
This instrument is a Washburn Travel Guitar. Washburn is a Chicago, IL based company whose guitars were made in Korea and more recently Indonesia and China. It has a 24” scale neck, and a body width similar to that of a mandolin (8¼").
Travel Guitars are assigned the number 321.322-5 in the Hornbostel Sachs classification of musical instruments indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
32 = Composite Chordophone. Acoustic and electro acoustic instruments which have a resonator as an integral part of the instrument, and solid body electric chordophones.
321 = Lutes. Instruments where the plane of the strings runs parallel with the resonators surface.
321.3 = Handle Lutes. Instruments in which the string bearer is a plain handle.
321.32 = Necked Lutes. Instrument in which the handle is attached to, or carved from, the resonator, like a neck
321.322 = Necked Box Lutes. Instruments in which the resonator is built up from wood.
321.322-5 = Instruments where the strings are vibrated by bare hands and fingers.
18th May 2016 at Royal Academy of Music Museum ("Yehudin Menuhin: Journeys with a violin" exhibition on the Ground Floor), London NW1.
The Lamellophone is found all over Afrca with a variety of different names. The tongues are usually arranged in the manner similar to a keyboard and are small enough to play with individual fingers (hence the name given by Europeans the thumb piano). According to some musicologists lamellophones where invented in the area that is today Cameroon and its surroundings about 3000 years ago. The first ones where made out of cane and raffia. Instruments with iron lamellae are relatively recent (19th to 20th century).
This instrument was owned by the violinist Yehudin Menuhin, and was part of the donation of his possessions to the Royal Academy of Music. Half-gourd with wooden soundboard (two sound-holes), it has six iron tongues held against iron rod by iron wire bindings.
Lamellophones are assigned the number 122.1 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
1 = Idiophones. Sound is primarily produced by the actual body of the instrument vibrating, rather than a string, membrane, or column
12 = Plucked Idiophones. Idiophones set in vibration by being plucked.
122 = In the form of a comb. The lamellae are tied to a board or cut out from a board like the teeth of a comb.
122.1 = With laced on lamellae.
30th January 2018 at the Edinburgh University Collection of Historic Musical Instruments, St Cecilia’s Hall, Edinburgh.
The Bentside Spinet is small Harpsichord with an approximately triangular shape. The side on the right has a double curve toward the right rear corner (hence the name of the instrument). It is distinguished from the Harpsichord in that the strings and spine run transversely to the player and are not parallel to the key levers. The Bentside Spinet originated in Italy but was most popular elsewhere, particularly England.
This instrument was made in 1728 by Thomas Hitchcock in London. It is a single manual Spinet.
Bentside Spinets are assigned the number 314.122-6-8 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
31 = Simple Chordophones. Instruments which are in essence simply a string or strings and a string bearer
314 = Board Zither. Instrument uses a string bearer that is shaped like a board, or is the ground.
314.1 = Instrument with strings parallel to the string bearer.
314.12 = Instrument has a resonator.
314.122 = Box Zither. Instrument has a resonator made from slats.
314.122-6-8 = Strings are caused to vibrate by plectrum and keyboard.
15th July 2016 at the British Museum (Islamic World gallery), London WC1.
The Oliphant (or Olifant) is an ivory hunting horn made from an elephant's tusk. Like other Animal Horns it is a form of natural trumpet. This means they lack valves or other means of changing the pitch.
This instrument was made in the 11 or 12th century, probably in southern Italy or Egypt. It is carved with rows of interlocking medallions with an animal displayed in each circle (e.g. winged griffins, heraldic eagles, lions, peacocks and snakes). The design includes both Islamic and Western inspirations. It is known as the Borradaile Oliphant because it was bequeathed to the museum by Charles Borradaile.
Oliphants are assigned the number 423.1 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
4 = Aerophones. Sound is primarily produced by vibrating air. The instrument itself does not vibrate, and there are no vibrating strings or membranes.
42 = Non-free aerophones. The vibrating air is contained within the instrument.
423 = Trumpets. The player's vibrating lips set the air in motion.
423.1 = There are no means of changing the pitch apart from the player's lips.
2nd February 2020 at Pushkin House, London WC1.
The Theremin is played without physical contact with the instrument by generating electromagnetic fields. The thereminist stands in front of the instrument and moves their hands in the proximity of two metal antennas. A straight, vertical antenna controls pitch and a horizontal, looped antenna controls volume. Higher notes are played by moving the hand closer to the pitch antenna. Louder notes are played by moving the hand away from the volume antenna. It was invented in October 1920 in the USSR by Lev Termen (Léon Theremin). He moved to the USA and patented the device in 1928. Commercial production rights were granted to RCA. However the instrument was a commercial failure. Theremins were later produced by the R.A. Moog Company (and its successors) from the 1950s onwards.
This instrument is a tVOX tour This was was developed in Russia in 1998-2000 by George Pavlov, Lydia Kavina's husband, under her supervision. Then manufactured in cooperation with Tairiku Trading Ltd of Japan in 2001-02. The tVOX was a further development of the Pavlov Theremin Model 1994 designed by George Pavlov and Yaroslav Schelkunov when graduate students at the Moscow Institute of Radio Engineering, Electronics and Automation. Between 200 and 400 tVOX tour were made.
Theremins are assigned the number 5 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
5 = Electrophones. Sound is generated by electrical means.
6th July 2019 at Hay's Galleria, London SE1.
Banjos developed in the United States in the 18th and 19th century out of African instruments. They have four or five, or even six, strings and a circular drum-like sound box. Another important variation in banjos is whether they are open backed or have a resonator.
Open backed banjos are quieter and have a mellower tone. The strings are often higher above the finger board. This type of Banjo is used in Old Time Music. A popular style of playing for this type of banjo is Clawhammer - a downward motion hitting the strings with the thumb and one finger.
This instrument was made by Kevin Enoch of Beltsville, Maryland. It is in the style of the banjos made by H. C. Dobson in the second half of the 19th century.
Open Backed Banjos are assigned the number 321.312-5 in the Hornbostel-Sachs classification of musical instruments ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hornbostel-Sachs ), indicating:
3 = Chordophone. Instruments where the sound is primarily produced by the vibration of a string or strings that are stretched between fixed points.
32 = Composite Chordophone. Acoustic and electro-acoustic instruments which have a resonator as an integral part of the instrument, and solid-body electric chordophones.
321 = Lutes. Instruments where the plane of the strings runs parallel with the resonator’s surface.
321.3 = Handle Lutes. Instruments in which the string bearer is a plain handle.
321.31 = Spike Lutes. Instruments in which the handle passes diametrically through the resonator.
321.312 = Spike Box Lutes. Instruments in which the resonator is built up from wood.
321.312-5 = Instruments where the strings are vibrated by bare hands and fingers.