Music & Musical Instruments

The Museum's music collections contain more than 5,000 instruments of American and European heritage. These include a quartet of 18th-century Stradivari stringed instruments, Tito Puente's autographed timbales, and the Yellow Cloud guitar that belonged to Prince, to name only a few. Music collections also include jukeboxes and synthesizers, square-dancing outfits and sheet music, archival materials, oral histories, and recordings of performances at the museum. The vast Sam DeVincent Collection of Illustrated Sheet Music is a remarkable window into the American past in words, music, and visual imagery. The Duke Ellington and Ruth Ellington Boatwright collections contain handwritten music compositions, sound recordings, business records, and other materials documenting the career of this renowned musician. In various ways, our collections find expression in performances of the Smithsonian Chamber Players, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and in other public programs.

Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1967
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
Jordanaires
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06139
label number
47-9115
catalog number
1996.3034.06139
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244), 78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.Currently not on view
Description
Jimmie Rodgers. side 1: Frankie and Johnny; side 2: The Brakeman's Blues (RCA Victor 21-0044), from the album, Yodeling Yours (RCA Victor P 244),
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1929. Side 2 was recorded in 1928. The album was released in 1949.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1929
1928
release date
1949
recording artist
Rodgers, Jimmie
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05257
maker number
21-0044
P 244
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05257
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Spanish Cavaliero; side 2: Irish Woman (RCA Victor 20-1830), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Spanish Cavaliero; side 2: Irish Woman (RCA Victor 20-1830), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1946
recording artist
Carson Robison and His Pleasant Valley Boys
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05251
maker number
20-1830
P 155
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05251
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1970
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06148
catalog number
1996.3034.06148
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9835
George Beverly Shea. side 1: O Little Town of Bethlehem; side 2: Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne (RCA Victor 20-5409), from the album, Christmas Hymns (RCA Victor P 3149).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
George Beverly Shea. side 1: O Little Town of Bethlehem; side 2: Thou Did'st Leave Thy Throne (RCA Victor 20-5409), from the album, Christmas Hymns (RCA Victor P 3149).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1953
recording artist
Shea, George Beverly
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05259
maker number
20-5409
P 3149
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05259
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06147
catalog number
1996.3034.06147
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9791
Hank Snow. side 1: Somewhere Along Life's Highway; side 2: Within This Broken Heart of Mine (RCA Victor 21-0364), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3244.
Description
Hank Snow. side 1: Somewhere Along Life's Highway; side 2: Within This Broken Heart of Mine (RCA Victor 21-0364), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3244. Side 2 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3243. This album was releasd in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording date
1947
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05273
maker number
21-0364
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05273
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Our Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944 and initially released on Bluebird (Canada) 55-3214.
Description
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Our Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362), from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1944 and initially released on Bluebird (Canada) 55-3214. Side 2 was recorded in 1945 and initially released on Victor (Canada) 55-3237. This album was released in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording date
1944
1945
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05271
maker number
21-0362
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05271
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: The Sea Walker; side 2: The Touch of God's Hand (RCA Victor 20-3195), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05276
maker number
20-3195
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05276
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
Hank Snow. side 1: Wasted Love; side 2: My Two Timin' Woman (RCA Victor 21-0363). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05272
maker number
21-0363
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05272
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
May Hill Arbuthnot. side 1: Talking Time [part 1]; side 2: Talking Time [part 2] (RCA EOCB-4548/49), from the album, Poetry Time (RCA).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1951
recording artist
Arbuthnot, May Hill
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05006
maker number
EOCB-4548/49
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05006
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Oour Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).78 rpm. This album was released in 1950.Currently not on view
Description
Hank Snow. side 1: You Broke the Chain That Held Oour Hearts; side 2: No Golden Tomorrow Ahead (RCA Victor 21-0362). from the album, Hank Snow Favorites (RCA Victor P 295).
78 rpm. This album was released in 1950.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1950
recording date
1944
1945
recording artist
Snow, Hank
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05268
maker number
21-0362
P 295
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05268
Roy Rogers. side 1: The Yellow Rose of Texas; side 2: On the Old Spanish Trail (RCA Victor 20-3074), from the album, Roy Rogers Souvenir Album (RCA Victor P 215).78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947. Side 2 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor 20-2320.
Description
Roy Rogers. side 1: The Yellow Rose of Texas; side 2: On the Old Spanish Trail (RCA Victor 20-3074), from the album, Roy Rogers Souvenir Album (RCA Victor P 215).
78 rpm. Side 1 was recorded in 1947. Side 2 was recorded in 1947 and initially released on Victor 20-2320. This album was released in 1948
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Rogers, Roy
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05236
maker number
20-3074
P 215
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05236
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.Currently not on view
Description
Sons of the Pioneers. side 1: Too High, Too Wide, Too Low; side 2: Rounded Up in Glory (RCA Victor 20-3193), from the album, Cowboy Hymns and Spirituals (RCA Victor P 229).
78 rpm. Both tracks were recorded in 1947. This album was released on 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1947
release date
1948
recording artist
Sons of the Pioneers
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05274
maker number
20-3193
P 229
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05274
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06127
label number
47-7280
catalog number
1996.3034.06127
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Bonanza, a Western television drama, attained its greatest popularity between 1964 and 1967. The show spawned a variety of spin-off products, such as this sound recording.Currently not on view
Description
Bonanza, a Western television drama, attained its greatest popularity between 1964 and 1967. The show spawned a variety of spin-off products, such as this sound recording.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1965
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
2000.0165.2218
label number
LPM-2757
catalog number
2000.0165.2218
accession number
2000.0165
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Turkey in the Straw (RCA Victor 20-1833), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Carson Robison and his Pleasant Valley Boys. side 1: Golden Slippers; side 2: Turkey in the Straw (RCA Victor 20-1833), from the album, Square Dances (RCA Victor P 155).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1946
recording artist
Carson Robison and His Pleasant Valley Boys
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05254
maker number
20-1833
P 155
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05254
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06146
catalog number
1996.3034.06146
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9768
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1958
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06162
label number
EPA-4319
catalog number
1996.3034.06162
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1969
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06143
label number
47-9741
catalog number
1996.3034.06143
nonaccession number
1996.3034
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven. side 1: The Lady Is a Tramp; side 2: The Seik of Araby (RCA Victor 20-3032), from the album, Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven (RCA Victor P220).78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25673.
Description
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven. side 1: The Lady Is a Tramp; side 2: The Seik of Araby (RCA Victor 20-3032), from the album, Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven (RCA Victor P220).
78 rpm. Side 1 was originally recorded in 1937 and released on Victor 25673. Side 2 was originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26023. The album was released in 1948.
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1937
1938
release date
1948
recording artist
Tommy Dorsey and his Clambake Seven
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1978.0670.660
accession number
1978.0670
maker number
20-3032
P-220
catalog number
1978.0670.660
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971
recording artist
Presley, Elvis
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.3034.06149
catalog number
1996.3034.06149
nonaccession number
1996.3034
label number
47-9916
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: I Need My Baby; side 2: Hold That Train, Conductor (RCA Victor 20-1995)78 rpmCurrently not on view
Description
"Doctor" (Peter J.) Clayton. side 1: I Need My Baby; side 2: Hold That Train, Conductor (RCA Victor 20-1995)
78 rpm
Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1946
recording artist; composer
Clayton, Peter J.
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0153.08740
catalog number
1996.0153.08740
label number
20-1995
accession number
1996.0153
Elton Britt. side 1: She Taught Me to Yodel; side 2: They're Burning Down the House (I Was Brung Up In ) (RCA Victor 20-3092), from the album, Country Song Hits - Elton Britt (RCA Victor P 221).78 rpm.Currently not on view
Description
Elton Britt. side 1: She Taught Me to Yodel; side 2: They're Burning Down the House (I Was Brung Up In ) (RCA Victor 20-3092), from the album, Country Song Hits - Elton Britt (RCA Victor P 221).
78 rpm.
Location
Currently not on view
release date
1948
recording artist
Britt, Elton
manufacturer
RCA Victor
ID Number
1996.0320.05068
maker number
20-3092
P 221
accession number
1996.0320
catalog number
1996.0320.05068

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