The Musical Instrument Desk Reference

Starred review from December 1, 2012

At first glance, this relatively short book would appear likely to attract only a small audience, chiefly K-12 music educators who have a need for broad-based knowledge of instruments--in particular, how to maintain and repair them. And certainly they will find this book indispensable. But because, as the author states in his preface, "this manual provides important information for teachers, students, and technicians who work with musical instruments on which they are not accomplished performers," it will likely appeal to a wide variety of musical practitioners outside of those fortunate few who can make their living on performance. Pagliaro's (Everything You Should Know About Musical Instruments But Didn't Have Time To Learn) first chapter contains a layman's review of the physics of sound. Subsequent chapters cover woodwind, brass, non-fretted string instruments, and percussion. Each section begins with an "Easy Reference Quick Start" that provides illustrated information that may be needed during a lesson. This is followed by in-depth information on each instrument including illustrations and diagrams of its major parts and an analysis of how it produces sound. Also included are basic fingering charts, tuning procedures, and discussions of the various materials used to construct instruments. VERDICT This excellent title will appeal to everyone from amateur enthusiasts to veteran teachers.--Sarah Sutton, Emporia State Univ., KS

Copyright 2012 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2013
This practical guide will be of interest to music, band, and orchestra teachers or anyone else interested in learning about the operation of musical instruments. It begins with an easy-reference quick start section on woodwinds, followed by more in-depth chapters on the flute, clarinet, saxophone, oboe, and the bassoon. For the brass instruments, there are fingering charts, an expanded in-depth study chapter, and a chapter on functioning. Nonfretted string instruments (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) are also given a chapter on producing sound and an expanded in-depth study chapter. The final chapter consists of an overview of percussion instruments. Diagrams, photographs, and charts accent the clearly written text. Recommended for all libraries.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2013, American Library Association.)