Articles

The Shruti Box - A Portable Drone
You may have seen the shruti box before – this briefcase-sized instrument has been making the rounds and finding its way into all sorts of musical genres. Despite its rather...
The Shruti Box - A Portable Drone
You may have seen the shruti box before – this briefcase-sized instrument has been making the rounds and finding its way into all sorts of musical genres. Despite its rather...

Saz History - An Introduction to the Turkish Ba...
The Tukish saz, or bağlama, is probably the most well-known Turkish instrument. It plays an integral role in Ottomon classical music as well as Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Syrian, Iraqi and Balkan...
Saz History - An Introduction to the Turkish Ba...
The Tukish saz, or bağlama, is probably the most well-known Turkish instrument. It plays an integral role in Ottomon classical music as well as Turkish, Kurdish, Armenian, Azerbaijani, Syrian, Iraqi and Balkan...

Rubboards - History
Although it is an antiquated household appliance at this point, many people are familiar with what a washboard looks like. Metal ridges form a corrugated surface, bound together by a...
Rubboards - History
Although it is an antiquated household appliance at this point, many people are familiar with what a washboard looks like. Metal ridges form a corrugated surface, bound together by a...

Lamellaphones - Mbiras, Kalimbas, and More!
The mbira – also widely referred to as kalimba or thumb piano – is a member of the idiophone and lamellaphone instrument families. As an idiophone, it falls into the...
Lamellaphones - Mbiras, Kalimbas, and More!
The mbira – also widely referred to as kalimba or thumb piano – is a member of the idiophone and lamellaphone instrument families. As an idiophone, it falls into the...

Viola Braguesa
The viola braguesa is a 17th century Portuguese Baroque guitar. It is also known as viola da braga, named for the Braga region of northwestern Portugal. It likely developed from the Spanish vihuela, a...
Viola Braguesa
The viola braguesa is a 17th century Portuguese Baroque guitar. It is also known as viola da braga, named for the Braga region of northwestern Portugal. It likely developed from the Spanish vihuela, a...

The Mandocello – History
The origins of the mandocello (or mandoloncello) are a bit hazy, but it seems clear that this instrument was likely developed for use in musical ensembles along with other members of...
The Mandocello – History
The origins of the mandocello (or mandoloncello) are a bit hazy, but it seems clear that this instrument was likely developed for use in musical ensembles along with other members of...