Percussion Instruments and Their History

James Blades’ famous book has been referred to as the ‘percussionist’s bible’. It is established as the definitive reference work on the subject. This extended edition includes two important new chapters by leading solo percussionist, Dame Evelyn Glennie, and by Neil Percy, Head of Timpani and Percussion at the Royal Academy of Music.

This definitive encyclopaedic work explores the origins of percussion through the development of the early drums and xylophones right up to the wide range of modern instruments and the sounds they make. Blades covers these early developments globally from China and the Far East, India and Tibet, the early civilisations in Mesopotamia, Egypt, Greece, Rome and Persia through to mediaeval and renaissance Europe. He continues to examine the role of percussion in the classical and romantic orchestras and finally looks at the ways composers have pushed the boundaries in modern music. Each chapter has its own photographs, illustrations and bibliography and there are comprehensive indices referencing all the composers and works discussed.