The art of music-making has existed for thousands of years. This fascinating book begins with a history of music-making, posing the questions "What is music?" and "What is a musical instrument?". A visual directory is organized according to families of instruments: strings, woodwind and brass, percussion and keyboards, as well as a section on the voice. Comprehensively written and beautifully illustrated with over 450 photographs, the book covers a wide range of instruments and their historical relatives. It also provides a complete history of music-making and the orchestra, making it an indispensable reference for music lovers everywhere.