This illustrated guide is organized according to families or groups of instruments: strings, woodwind and brass, percussion and keyboards, as well as a section on the voice. Each family is introduced, and its members described, their origins, how they developed over time, and how they are played. You will find all the modern orchestral instruments and their relatives, together with the rarer and more unusual instruments, including non-Western examples. The book explores varied musical forms such as brass and military bands, country and jazz music, big bands and pop groups, as well as the history of music making and its development in ancient Egypt, Greece, India, China and Japan. It also includes coverage of famous players, orchestras and concert halls and the role of the composer and conductor.