Brass instruments: Their history and development

by Anthony Baines

Brass Their History and Development

Genres: Music, History

298 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[Carolyn Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

I never knew that a sackbut was a trombone! (This is what happens when you read the KJV Bible). This is really an interesting book--it can get technical, but there are lots and lots of illustrations to help you process.

[Darnoc Leadburger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was attracted to this book because I am a trumpet player. I'm no professional, but I play every day across several bands/groups and am interested in learning more about my instrument - so this was a no brainer. Sadly, I have some mixed feeling about this book.

It heavily focuses on primitive/ancient iterations of 'trumpets' and 'horns' and 'trombones'. I use quotes because they don't really resemble their modern counterparts. Which is fine - this book is chalked full of well researched information that I probably would never have learned if I hadn't read this book. It's just not what I went in trying to learn... but that's a personal problem. Can't blame it on the book. That being said, the writing was pretty dry. It wasn't an exciting or transformational read, but an informative one... and I suppose that means that it did its job.