Instruments

Instruments

This is now the most expensive violin in history

For some 12 years, the position of world's most expensive violin was occupied by a famous Guarneri violin from 1741. Now that's all changed - and Stradivarius is back at the top
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Oboe: the rich, soulful instrument that can give you playful, melancholy and anything in between

Our guide to the woodwind instrument, which has played everything from classical to jazz
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Ondes Martenot: a guide to this early, eerie electronic musical instrument

We explain the workings of the unusual instrument, the Ondes Martenot, that takes centre stage in Messiaen's Turangalîla Symphony
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Clarinet: our guide to the mellow woodwind instrument heard everywhere from Mozart to Benny Goodman

Our guide to the mellow-sounding woodwind instrument used in everything from jazz to klezmer
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Christmas ukulele songs: nine festive classics you can easily master on the uke

Our roundup of the easiest Christmas songs to play on the ukulele
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The percussion family: meet 5 important instruments played by hitting, scraping or shaking

Hate music practice? How you can learn to love your instrument again in 100 days

Amateur violinist Ariane Todes reveals how, after losing the will to practise during the pandemic, she was inspired by Hilary Hahn on social media to reconnect with her beloved four-stringed friend
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The $14 million violin hiding under a cloak of shoe polish... and 13 more infamous stolen instruments

Million-dollar violins stolen from cafes - and more: our guide to some of the most famous stolen musical instruments in history
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The saxophone: the essential jazz instrument that has sprinkled its soulful magic across classical music

Our guide to the saxophone: What it is, who invented it and the best works for it
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The trombone: the unique-sounding instrument that you'll hear everywhere from classical to reggae

Our guide to the trombone: what it is, how to play it and the best works written for it
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A jumping flea and a merry monarch: nine fascinating facts about the ukulele

Wipe those images of wacky George Formby songs and strumming school groups from your mind. The ukulele has a noble heritage, says Matt Swaine
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