Instruments
What instrument should I learn? Here are five key questions to ask yourself before you commit
We've all heard the benefits of learning an instrument – but sometimes the choice can be overwhelming. Decide which instrument you or your child should learn with our handy guide
How do you choose the right music teacher for you? Follow these seven simple steps...
You've decided you want to learn a musical instrument, but what's next? You need a music teacher! Consult our guide for how to find a music teacher – and what you should be looking for
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
'Somewhere between mesmerising and terrifying': ten of the weirdest musical instruments out there
From the hydraulophone to the Wintergatan Marble Machine, we introduce ten of the most delightfully weird instruments out there
Most expensive instruments of all time: 11 musical treasures that fetched eye-watering sums
How much? From a lavish pipe organ to Charlie Parker's saxophone, these are the most expensive musical instruments of all time.
These are the 11 most devilishly difficult instruments (and 11 gorgeous reasons to learn them)
Hannah Nepilova dodges practice time to come up with the 11 most challenging instruments to master
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
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
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
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
This is probably the world’s oldest musical instrument - and it's made of vulture bone
The flute: all you need to know about one of the orchestra's most expressive instruments
Its gentle, dreamlike soundworld has inspired chamber and orchestral masterpieces. Here's our guide to the flute and its place in music
What is a violin? A guide to the most popular stringed instrument
Our technical guide to the violin: what it is and how it works
How the world's largest pipe organ ended up in a Philadelphia department store
In 1911 John Wanamaker decided what his famous department store needed was a pipe organ - and not just any pipe organ, he wanted the biggest in the world
The instrument New York doesn't want you to hear
Grammy Award-winning organist Paul Jacobs laments the absence of a pipe organ from America's biggest city
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
Best trumpet music: classical music's finest works for trumpet
From concertos to chamber music, Saint-Saëns to Stravinsky, here is some of the finest music for trumpet in the classical repertoire
History of the violin: its invention, evolution and famous Italian violin makers
Its appearance and sound is oh-so familiar, but what’s the story behind the violin? Here’s some background to this most sweet and noble of musical instruments.
What is a Stradivarius?
Short answer? It's a make of violin... but read on to find out why they are so coveted, and who made them.
Where can I buy the best clarinet reeds?
Our guide to clarinet reeds: what they do, how they are made and where to get the best ones
Violin mutes: what they do, how to use them and the best violin mutes for practice and performance
We're here to answer all your questions about violin mutes and mutes for other stringed instruments, and explain the differences between the various types of violin mute
What instruments make up a jazz band?
A wide variety of instruments can make up a traditional jazz band, from pianos to saxophones. Here are the main ones...
Violin bows: how to hold them, what they are made of and where to buy the best violin bows
We all know that a bow is an essential part of playing a string instrument, but that's just the beginning. We're here to answer all your questions about violin bows and the different types and styles to choose from
The best music for the accordion
The accordion is one of the most versatile instruments to write for, appearing most prevalently in South American music, but also cropping up in jazz and more traditional forms of classical music. We have rounded up a varied selection of the best accordion music for you to discover