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.

Benny Goodman's Quintet. side 1: Pick-a-Rib [part 1]; side 2: Pick-a-Rib [part 2] (Blue Ace 224).78 rpm. These tracks were originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26166.Blue Ace was a bootleg record label, founded around the late 1940s.
Description (Brief)

Benny Goodman's Quintet. side 1: Pick-a-Rib [part 1]; side 2: Pick-a-Rib [part 2] (Blue Ace 224).
78 rpm. These tracks were originally recorded in 1938 and released on Victor 26166.

Blue Ace was a bootleg record label, founded around the late 1940s. The label was dedicated to the unauthorized reissue of jazz recordings from the 1935-1942 period. Brooklyn record store owner Sam Meltzer is allegedly to have produced the recordings, who was also associated with the bootleg Hot Jazz Club of America [HJCA] recordings, which focused on jazz recordings of the 1920s.

Location
Currently not on view
recording date
1938
recording artist
Benny Goodman's Quintet
manufacturer
Blue Ace
ID Number
1988.0698.1109
catalog number
1988.0698.1109
accession number
1988.0698
collector/donor number
G80
maker number
224
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.02
catalog number
95321.02
accession number
26410
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral.
Description
This hornpipe was made by an unknown maker in Italy, around 1875-1890. It is a cane reed with a bell of chestnut bark wound in a spiral. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095322
accession number
26410
catalog number
95322
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut.
Description
This whistle was made by an unknown maker in Italy, about 1875-1890. It is one of a pair of whistles made from chestnut. This accession includes 2 bark whistles and this reed pipe which used by people on their annual pilgrimage to the Shrine of the Virgin of San Fruttuoso in Genoa.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1875 - 1890
ID Number
MI.095321.01
catalog number
95321.01
accession number
26410
This guitar was made by John Preston of London, England around 1760-1770.
Description
This guitar was made by John Preston of London, England around 1760-1770. It is a six course (4x2, 2x1) guitar with a spruce top, figured maple back and sides, and tortoiseshell veneered oak fingerboard and four holes for the capotasto or “moving-bridge.” The guitar has a watch-key tuning device which was better suited to the guitar’s short metal strings. English guitars received great popularity with amateur musicians in Great Britain from about 1750 to 1810.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1760 - 1770
maker
Preston, John
ID Number
MI.095325
accession number
26512
catalog number
95325
This viola d’amoe Viola d'amore was made by Georg Aman in Augsburg, Germany, 1705.
Description (Brief)

This viola d’amoe Viola d'amore was made by Georg Aman in Augsburg, Germany, 1705. It is made of a high-built two-piece table of spruce; two-piece back of bird’s-eye maple separated with an inlaid stained (black) wooden strip; ribs of similar maple; grafted maple neck terminated in a pearwood pegbox with provision for seven bowed and seven sympathetic strings and a blindfolded cherub’s head; semi-opaque reddish-orange varnish. This instrument has an original printed label:

Georg Aman
Lauten=und Geigen=Macher
in Augfpurg 1705

Born in Bavaria in 1671, Aman worked in Augsburg and died around 1734. His instruments are usually rather highly built and are often seen with pearwood necks. This d’amore with a blindfolded cupid figure is typical of his work. Note also the original ornamental rosette inlayed into the table beneath the fingerboard.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1705
maker
Aman, Georg
ID Number
MI.095324
accession number
26484
catalog number
95324
This lyre guitar was made in the 19th century by an unknown maker. It is a six course (6x1) lyre-shaped guitar with a pine top, walnut back and sides, with two circular sound holes and a flat bottom.
Description
This lyre guitar was made in the 19th century by an unknown maker. It is a six course (6x1) lyre-shaped guitar with a pine top, walnut back and sides, with two circular sound holes and a flat bottom. This popular “parlor” instrument was also known in France as "lyre anacréontique" and in England as "Apollo lyre."
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1800 - 1899
ID Number
MI.095326
accession number
26512
catalog number
95326
This flageolet was made by Watts in London, England, 19th century. It is made of boxwood with a brass key, and an ivory beak and studs. This instrument is stamped:WATTSLONDONCurrently not on view
Description (Brief)

This flageolet was made by Watts in London, England, 19th century. It is made of boxwood with a brass key, and an ivory beak and studs. This instrument is stamped:

WATTS
LONDON

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
maker
Watts
ID Number
MI.095044
accession number
25819
catalog number
95044
This horn was made by Francesco Vermigli in Siena, Italy, undetermined date. It is a natural horn, made of brass with red painted (inside) bell. The instrument is marked:VERMIGLI FRANCESCOIN SIENAThis horn was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.
Description

This horn was made by Francesco Vermigli in Siena, Italy, undetermined date. It is a natural horn, made of brass with red painted (inside) bell. The instrument is marked:

VERMIGLI FRANCESCO
IN SIENA

This horn was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MI.095319
accession number
26256
catalog number
95319
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1865 - 1875
unspecified
Goode, G. Brown
maker
F. Besson
ID Number
MI.095320
catalog number
95320
accession number
26361
Prop violin used by Lindsey Stirling in the music video for her song "Beyond the Veil." The wooden violin was made in Czechoslovakia in the 20th century and it bears a fake Stradavari label; the actual maker is unknown.
Description (Brief)
Prop violin used by Lindsey Stirling in the music video for her song "Beyond the Veil." The wooden violin was made in Czechoslovakia in the 20th century and it bears a fake Stradavari label; the actual maker is unknown. In the video, Stirling is shown waking up on a beach to see a girl running into the sea; the girl is holding this violin. As Stirling pursues the girl through the water, she discovers an underwater fantasy world. That plot line is intercut with footage of Stirling playing a different violin on the beach and in a forest.
Lindsey Stirling is an American musician, dancer, and songwriter known for blending a diverse variety of musical styles including classical, pop, rock, and electronic influences with dance performance. As a contestant on season five of the television series America’s Got Talent in 2010, Stirling gained an enthusiastic following among viewers who enjoyed her unique dance and violin performances, but was voted off by the celebrity judges in the quarter finals. Undaunted by their criticism, Stirling started posting music videos online in 2011, pairing mash-ups of electro-pop styles with lively steps and twirls in settings often drawn from video games or movies. Her posts inspired millions, then billions, of fans worldwide and revealed how audiences and entertainers could forego traditional tastemakers and gatekeepers to build powerful connections directly through digital platforms.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
20th century
associated date
2014
performer
Stirling, Lindsey
ID Number
2015.0303.03
accession number
2015.0303
catalog number
2015.0303.03
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
presentation date
2006
ID Number
2018.0078.11
accession number
2018.0078
catalog number
2018.0078.11
serial number
L07-04
This sheet music is for the song “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here (What the - Deuce - Do We Care),” with lyrics by D. A. Esrom [Theodora Morse] and music by Theodore Morse and Arthur Sullivan. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1917.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Hail, Hail, the Gang’s All Here (What the - Deuce - Do We Care),” with lyrics by D. A. Esrom [Theodora Morse] and music by Theodore Morse and Arthur Sullivan. It was published by Leo Feist, Inc. in New York, New York in 1917. The original tune was written by Arthur Sullivan for the comic opera The Pirates of Penzance.

The cover art for this sheet music was made by Rosenbaum Studios. The firm was founded by Morris Rosenbaum (1886-1953) in the early 1910s. There were several artists working for Rosenbaum Studios throughout the firm’s 27 years in operation. Variations of a rosebud/RS symbol were used to sign the artwork. Morris Rosenbaum was commissioned to create the logo for the newly formed film company MGM (Metro Goldwyn Mayer) in 1924.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1917
publisher
Leo Feist Inc.
ID Number
1985.0403.05
accession number
1985.0403
catalog number
1985.0403.05
This sheet music is for the song “Time Waits For No One,” with music and lyrics by Cliff Friend and Charles Tobias. It was published by Remick Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1944.”Time Waits For No One” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros.
Description

This sheet music is for the song “Time Waits For No One,” with music and lyrics by Cliff Friend and Charles Tobias. It was published by Remick Music Corp. in New York, New York in 1944.

”Time Waits For No One” was featured in the 1944 Warner Bros. musical film, Shine On, Harvest Moon, directed by David Butler and starred Ann Sheridan and Dennis Morgan. The cover features a still from the movie.

Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1944
publisher
Remick Music Corporation
ID Number
1985.0393.17
accession number
1985.0393
catalog number
1985.0393.17
Black polyester and cotton jacket with red polyester lining. Size Medium. With white piped trim at shoulders. Knit cuffs, neck and waist. Zipper front. 2 open front pockets and one zipped sleeve pocket.
Description (Brief)

Black polyester and cotton jacket with red polyester lining. Size Medium. With white piped trim at shoulders. Knit cuffs, neck and waist. Zipper front. 2 open front pockets and one zipped sleeve pocket. Hot pink and white thread lettering on front left side and back and red and green rose on back. The front of the jacket is embroidered:

Willie

(applied on the back of the jacket):

Willie
and Family
on the Road Again

Inspired by Live Aid, the international benefit concert for Ethiopian famine victims, Willie Nelson and other singers established Farm Aid in 1985 to support family farmers in the United States.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1980
user
Nelson, Willie
ID Number
1983.0551.01
accession number
1983.0551
catalog number
1983.0551.01
Currently not on view
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1992
ID Number
2018.0078.15.05
accession number
2018.0078
catalog number
2018.0078.15.05
This bassoon was made by Buhner & Keller in Strasbourg, France, around 1730-1737. It is a 9-keyed bassoon made of stained maple with brass ferrules and keys.
Description

This bassoon was made by Buhner & Keller in Strasbourg, France, around 1730-1737. It is a 9-keyed bassoon made of stained maple with brass ferrules and keys. The bassoon is stamped:

BUHNER
&
KELLER
A STRASBOURG

This instrument was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
ca 1730 - 1737
ID Number
MI.095278
catalog number
95278
accession number
26256
This basset horn was made by Wolfgang Kies (Küss) in Vienna, Austria around 1818 to 1822. It is a 10-keyed basset horn in F, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and has square brass keys and a brass bell. This basset horn is stamped:W.
Description

This basset horn was made by Wolfgang Kies (Küss) in Vienna, Austria around 1818 to 1822. It is a 10-keyed basset horn in F, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and has square brass keys and a brass bell. This basset horn is stamped:

W. KIES
WEIN

This basset horn was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1818 - 1822
maker
Kies, W.
ID Number
MI.095295
accession number
26256
catalog number
95295
This tuba was made by an unknown maker in Europe, around 1835-1865. It in a bass tuba in F, made of brass, in ophicleide form with 3 mechanical rotary valves.Currently not on view
Description
This tuba was made by an unknown maker in Europe, around 1835-1865. It in a bass tuba in F, made of brass, in ophicleide form with 3 mechanical rotary valves.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835 - 1865
ID Number
MI.095276
accession number
26256
catalog number
95276
This flute was made by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Grenser, in Dresden, Germany around 1780 to 1799. It is a 1-keyed flute in C made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and tuning slide, and a silver key.
Description

This flute was made by Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Grenser, in Dresden, Germany around 1780 to 1799. It is a 1-keyed flute in C made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and tuning slide, and a silver key. This flute has seven upper joints of different lengths numbered 1 through 7 for tuning. All of the pieces are stamped:

[symbol]
H. GRENSER
DRESDEN

Johann Heinrich Wilhelm Grenser (1764-1813) started his career as an apprentice, working with his uncle August Grenser in Dresden from 1779-1786. Heinrich Grenser took over the shop in 1796 and continued making musical instruments until his death.

This flute was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780 - 1799
maker
Grenser, Heinrich
ID Number
MI.095297
accession number
26256
catalog number
95297
This sarrusophone was made by an unknown maker, probably Italy, in the mid-19th century. It is a 16-keyed instrument in bassoon form in the key of E-flat, made of brass.
Description

This sarrusophone was made by an unknown maker, probably Italy, in the mid-19th century. It is a 16-keyed instrument in bassoon form in the key of E-flat, made of brass. This instrument is very similar to a contrabass sarrusophone.

This instrument was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
mid 19th century
ID Number
MI.095277
catalog number
95277
accession number
26256
This buisine was made by an unknown maker, provenance and date undetermined. It is a buisinine in B-flat, made of brass. The buisine is engraved:SE [shield] NA MDDDXIThis buisine was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.
Description

This buisine was made by an unknown maker, provenance and date undetermined. It is a buisinine in B-flat, made of brass. The buisine is engraved:

SE [shield] NA MDDDXI

This buisine was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
ID Number
MI.095294
accession number
26256
catalog number
95294
This oboe was made by Barnaba Grassi in Milan, Italy, around 1775-1799. It is a 2-keyed oboe, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. There are three interchangeable upper joints numbered 1 through 3 from the shortest for tuning.
Description

This oboe was made by Barnaba Grassi in Milan, Italy, around 1775-1799. It is a 2-keyed oboe, made of boxwood with ivory ferrules and brass keys. There are three interchangeable upper joints numbered 1 through 3 from the shortest for tuning. The oboe is stamped:

GRASSI
IN MILAN

This oboe was acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892. Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775 - 1799
maker
Grassi
ID Number
MI.095298
accession number
26256
catalog number
95298
This pochette was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century.
Description

This pochette was made by an unknown maker, provenance unknown, probably 19th century. It is a composite instrument with a one-piece table of spruce with orange-brown varnish, body made from a single piece of maple painted black, crude maple neck, pegbox and scroll, and orange-brown varnish.

This object is composed of unrelated fragments and does not appear to have ever functioned as a musical instrument in this form. The elongated narrow table with S-holes is joined to a solid back with four hollow facets. The violin neck is terminated in a crude pegbox and scroll. Acquired from the collection of Leopoldo Franciolini in 1892.

Leopoldo Franciolini (1844–1920) was an Italian antique dealer who flourished in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He is remembered as a fraudster who sold faked and altered historical musical instruments.

Location
Currently not on view
Date made
19th century
ID Number
MI.095292
accession number
26256
catalog number
95292

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