Music & Musical Instruments

Jesse Fuller's Silvertone Guitar

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.

Resource Type: Pianos

Square Piano

This piano from an unknown maker was made in Germany around 1770-1790. The piano has a compass of FF-f3, 3 hand stops, and a wood case.Currently not on view
Description (Brief)
This piano from an unknown maker was made in Germany around 1770-1790. The piano has a compass of FF-f3, 3 hand stops, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1770-1790
ID Number
MI.315655
accession number
58488
catalog number
315655

Nunns Upright Piano

This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1830. It is a small cottage piano about 42 inches high. The metal frame would suggest that this piano was modernized at some time.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Robert and William Nunns in New York, New York about 1830. It is a small cottage piano about 42 inches high. The metal frame would suggest that this piano was modernized at some time. This piano is serial number 1223 and has a compass of FF-f4, tape-check upright action, felt hammers, single-strings, some wound, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, metal frame, straight-strung, and a mahogany (veneer?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1833
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.315698
catalog number
315698
accession number
58488

Tomkison Square Piano

This square piano was made by Thomas Tomkison in London, England around 1810-1812. Tomkison received appointment as maker to the Prince of Wales about 1810, which he stated on his name boards until 1820, when the Prince became King George IV.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Thomas Tomkison in London, England around 1810-1812. Tomkison received appointment as maker to the Prince of Wales about 1810, which he stated on his name boards until 1820, when the Prince became King George IV. In 1820 he began to put “Maker to His Majesty” in his inscriptions. The name board inscription reads: “THOMAS TOMKISON / DEAN ST SOHO / PIANO-FORTE / MAKER / TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS / THE PRINCE OF WALES.” This piano is serial number 1965 and has a compass of FF-c4, single action, leather hammers, double-strings, with tuning pins at right, 1 pedal (missing): dampers (?), wood case, an a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1800-1810
maker
Tomkison, Thomas
ID Number
MI.315672
accession number
58488
catalog number
315672

Longman & Broderip Square Piano

This square piano was made by Longman & Broderip in London, England around 1795-1805. The inscription on the name board may be true but is certainly not original, probably stenciled on the paper label.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Longman & Broderip in London, England around 1795-1805. The inscription on the name board may be true but is certainly not original, probably stenciled on the paper label. It is completely unlike any authentic Longman & Broderip label, of which there are a great many in existence. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins on the right, 1 pedal: dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany (?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1775-1799
ID Number
MI.315660
catalog number
315660
accession number
58488

Debain Upright Player Piano

This upright player piano was made by Alexandre Debain in Paris, France, around 1851. It was a very early form of a player piano, which used small wooden planks, called planchettes to operate the automatic mechanism.
Description
This upright player piano was made by Alexandre Debain in Paris, France, around 1851. It was a very early form of a player piano, which used small wooden planks, called planchettes to operate the automatic mechanism. The piano has a compass of CC-c5, Wornum tape-check action with dampers behind strings, felt hammers, 1, 2, and 3 strings per note, 2 pedals: keyboard shift and dampers, wood frame, and a rosewood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1851
maker
Debain, Alexandre
ID Number
MI.236911
catalog number
236911
accession number
44953

Stewart Square Piano

This square piano was made by James Stewart in Baltimore, Maryland around 1820. The inscription in the inside piano indicates that James Stewart made this piano at “No. 74 South Fourth Street” in Philadelphia.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by James Stewart in Baltimore, Maryland around 1820. The inscription in the inside piano indicates that James Stewart made this piano at “No. 74 South Fourth Street” in Philadelphia. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, leather hammers, triple-string, first 8 notes are wound, with tuning pins at right, 2 pedals: possibly both dampers, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1820
maker
Stewart, James
ID Number
MI.299861
catalog number
299861
accession number
61285

Seuffert Upright Piano

This upright piano was made by Martin Seuffert in Vienna, Austria around 1812, It is a grand piano standing on its head, with the right side of the case following the usual shape of a grand.
Description (Brief)
This upright piano was made by Martin Seuffert in Vienna, Austria around 1812, It is a grand piano standing on its head, with the right side of the case following the usual shape of a grand. The scroll at the top reminded people of a giraffe, and the word became a technical term for this type of piano. This is a style that was favored in Germany and Austria. All of Seuffert’s known extant pianos are giraffes. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, hanging Viennese action, leather hammers, double-strings FF-d#, triple-strings e-f4, 2 pedals: dampers and keyboard shift, wood frame, and wood case with a silk front panel and a decorated lower panel.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1811-1813
maker
Seuffert, Martin
ID Number
MI.315657
catalog number
315657
accession number
58488

Southwell Square Piano

This square piano was made by William Southwell in England around 1825. He was born in Ireland and made harpsichords, pianos, and harps in Dublin during the first part of his career. Southwell later opened shops in London and Liverpool.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by William Southwell in England around 1825. He was born in Ireland and made harpsichords, pianos, and harps in Dublin during the first part of his career. Southwell later opened shops in London and Liverpool. He remained in London until 1836, when he apparently retired in Dublin. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins at rear, 1 pedal: dampers, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1826
maker
Southwell, William
ID Number
MI.315669
catalog number
315669
accession number
58488

Gray Square Piano

This square piano was made by Robert & William Gray in London, England around 1795. Robert and William Gray were brothers who built harpsichords, organs, and pianos in London from 1774. The Smithsonian’s square is the only known piano by these brothers.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Robert & William Gray in London, England around 1795. Robert and William Gray were brothers who built harpsichords, organs, and pianos in London from 1774. The Smithsonian’s square is the only known piano by these brothers. This piano has a compass of FF-f3, single action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, with tuning pins on right, 2 hand stops: treble and bass dampers, wood frame, and a cherry (?) case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1792-1798
maker
Robert & William Gray
ID Number
MI.315666
catalog number
315666
accession number
58488

Steinway & Sons Reproducing Grand Piano

This reproducing grand piano was made by Steinway & Sons in New York in 1930. This model “AR” grand has a Duo-Art reproducing mechanism in a remote concertola cabinet.
Description (Brief)
This reproducing grand piano was made by Steinway & Sons in New York in 1930. This model “AR” grand has a Duo-Art reproducing mechanism in a remote concertola cabinet. This cabinet holds multiple player rolls in a location away from the piano, and allows these rolls to be played consecutively and automatically. The piano is serial number 271205(?), and has a compass of AAA-c5, repetition action, felt hammers, 1, 2, or 3 steel strings per note, 3 pedals: una corda, sostenuto and dampers, a one-piece iron frame, cross-strung, and an English oak case, ornately carved with spirally-twisted carved legs, and no curved sides.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1930
maker
Steinway & Sons
ID Number
1983.0587.01
catalog number
1983.0587.01
accession number
1983.0587

Steinway & Sons Square Piano

This square piano was made by Steinway & Sons in New York, New York in 1877. It is a very large square piano typical of those made in the United States in the last third of the 19th century.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Steinway & Sons in New York, New York in 1877. It is a very large square piano typical of those made in the United States in the last third of the 19th century. American makers continued to produce squares long after European makers had abandoned them in favor of uprights. The last square piano made by Steinway & Sons was made in 1888. This piano is serial number 37600 and has a compass of AAA-c5, rocker action, felt hammers, single-strings for the first 11 notes, double-strings for the next 42 notes, triple-strings for the rest, tuning pins at the rear, 2 pedals: moderator and dampers, full cast-iron frame, and a rosewood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1877-1878
maker
Steinway & Sons
ID Number
MI.381444
catalog number
381444
accession number
159745

Tawse Square Piano

This square piano was made by Charles Tawse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1795-1796. Tawse also spelled his name Taws and Tawes.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Charles Tawse in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1795-1796. Tawse also spelled his name Taws and Tawes. This piano is believed to be serial number 22 and has a compass of FF-f3, single (file drawing) action, leather hammers, double-strings, first octave wound, with tuning pins at rear, 2 knee levers: dampers and swell, wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1795-1796
maker
Tawse, Charles
ID Number
MI.315680
catalog number
315680
accession number
58488

Graf Grand Piano

This grand piano was made by Conrad Graf in Vienna, Austria in 1832. Except for the number of pedals, this piano is essentially a twin of the instrument that Graf presented to musician and composer, Clara Wieck on her marriage to composer Robert Schumann in 1840.
Description (Brief)
This grand piano was made by Conrad Graf in Vienna, Austria in 1832. Except for the number of pedals, this piano is essentially a twin of the instrument that Graf presented to musician and composer, Clara Wieck on her marriage to composer Robert Schumann in 1840. The piano is serial number 1594 and has a compass of CC-g4, Viennese action, leather over wood core hammers, brass and steel strings, double- and triple-strung, 5 pedals: una corda, bassoon, moderator, dampers, and janissary, an oak laminated and interlocked bars frame, straight-strung, and a walnut veneer case.
Location
Currently not on view (action)
date made
1832
maker
Graf, Conrad
ID Number
1986.3187.01
catalog number
1986.3187.01
nonaccession number
1986.3187

Gibson & Davis Square Piano

This square piano was made by Thomas Gibson and Morgan Davis in New York, New York around 1810. Gibson and Morgan had a partnership from 1802-1822. This piano features a patented transposing keyboard, which can be hand-shifted to permit an octave range of starting notes.
Description
This square piano was made by Thomas Gibson and Morgan Davis in New York, New York around 1810. Gibson and Morgan had a partnership from 1802-1822. This piano features a patented transposing keyboard, which can be hand-shifted to permit an octave range of starting notes. A diagram beneath the inscription shows the row of starting notes for orientation. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedal: dampers, and a wood frame and case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1808-1850
maker
Gibson & Davis
ID Number
MI.299857
catalog number
299857
accession number
61285

Grove Square Piano

This square piano was made by D.B. Grove in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1835. Since D.B. Grove signed his piano with only his initials, it is not certain whether he was the Daniel Grove known as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia in 1829.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by D.B. Grove in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1833-1835. Since D.B. Grove signed his piano with only his initials, it is not certain whether he was the Daniel Grove known as a cabinetmaker in Philadelphia in 1829. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, single action, leather hammers, single-strings for first 8 notes, the rest double-strings, 2 pedals: buff and dampers, an iron string plate frame in the shape of an eagle, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1833-1835
maker
Grove, D. B.
ID Number
MI.315689
catalog number
315689
accession number
58488

Rufner Square Piano

This square piano was made by Gottlob Emanuel Hüfner in Nürnberg, Germany around 1785-1795. It is a very unusual square piano, called a “pantalon” because of its two sets of hammers. The bare hammers are used to play loud passages, and the leather-covered ones for soft passages.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Gottlob Emanuel Hüfner in Nürnberg, Germany around 1785-1795. It is a very unusual square piano, called a “pantalon” because of its two sets of hammers. The bare hammers are used to play loud passages, and the leather-covered ones for soft passages. This piano has a compass of FF-g3, Prell action without escapement, uncovered wood hammers, and an oak case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1780-1800
maker
Hüfner, Gottlob Emanuel
ID Number
MI.332175
catalog number
332175
accession number
94056

Müller Square Piano

This square piano was made by Lorenz Heinrich Müller in Bremen, Germany, around 1810. Müller appears as a piano maker in Bremen directories from 1804-1822. From 1823 to 1830, his widow handled a firm that rented pianos.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Lorenz Heinrich Müller in Bremen, Germany, around 1810. Müller appears as a piano maker in Bremen directories from 1804-1822. From 1823 to 1830, his widow handled a firm that rented pianos. It is believed that this is the only surviving piano by Müller. This piano is serial number 83 and has a compass of FF-c4, Viennese action, leather hammers, single-string first octave, the rest are double-strings, with tuning pins on the right, 2 knee levers: “piano” stop and dampers, wood frame, and a wood case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1782-1788
maker
Muller, Lorenz Heinrich
ID Number
MI.315656
catalog number
315656
accession number
58488

Weber Upright Piano

Albert Weber became Steinway’s principal competitor in the 1870s, just as the Chickering company began to falter. Weber made few technical innovations. He simply made extremely fine pianos like this 1876 upright and sold them at fair prices.
Description (Brief)
Albert Weber became Steinway’s principal competitor in the 1870s, just as the Chickering company began to falter. Weber made few technical innovations. He simply made extremely fine pianos like this 1876 upright and sold them at fair prices. Beautifully decorated by Herter Brothers, furniture designers of New York, this instrument helped Weber challenge Steinway at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. The piano is serial number 9957, and has a compass of AAA-c5, tape-check upright action (probably not original), felt hammers, single-, double-, and triple-strings, cross-strung, 2 pedals: “soft” and dampers, a double iron frame, and an ebonized case with inlaid designs and gilded banding.
date made
1876
maker
Weber
decorator
Herter Brothers
ID Number
1980.0360.01
catalog number
1980.0360.01
accession number
1980.0360

Tallman Square Piano

This square piano was made by John Tallman in New York, New York around 1835-1838. Like the Tallman square piano in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this piano was decorated by the famous New York engraver Samuel Maverick.
Description
This square piano was made by John Tallman in New York, New York around 1835-1838. Like the Tallman square piano in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, this piano was decorated by the famous New York engraver Samuel Maverick. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, double-strings of which the first 8 are wound with tuning pins at the rear, 1 pedal: dampers, an iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1835-1838
maker
Tallman, John
ID Number
MI.299836
catalog number
299836
accession number
61285

Yamaha Disklavier Pro2000

This state-of-the-art grand piano was made by the Yamaha Corporation in Tokyo, Japan in 2000. The company had planned to make just three of the pianos to mark its 100th year of manufacturing.
Description
This state-of-the-art grand piano was made by the Yamaha Corporation in Tokyo, Japan in 2000. The company had planned to make just three of the pianos to mark its 100th year of manufacturing. This Pro 2000 model features computer-based control of keys, DVD player, voice control, and the ability to play music from a CD or an external video. The piano is serial number 5872002 and has a compass of AAA-c5, Yamaha repetition action, felt hammers, wound and plain steel string, single-, double-, and triple-strung, 3 pedals: una corda, sostenuto, and dampers, a one-piece cast-iron aluminized frame, cross-strung, and a cheery and brushed aluminum case with a two-section Plexiglas lid.
Location
Currently not on view (control box; monitor; pedal box; pedal rods)
Date made
2000
maker
Yamaha Corporation
ID Number
2000.0273.01
accession number
2000.0273
serial number
5872002
catalog number
2000.0273.01

Mickley Square Piano

This square piano was made by Joseph J. Mickley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1830. In 1827, he won honorable mention at a Franklin Institute exhibition for a “plain and cheap” instrument. This is the only known piano by Mickley.
Description
This square piano was made by Joseph J. Mickley in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania around 1830. In 1827, he won honorable mention at a Franklin Institute exhibition for a “plain and cheap” instrument. This is the only known piano by Mickley. This piano has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, felt hammers, double-strings of which the first 8 notes are wound, with tuning pins on the right, 1 pedal: dampers, a wood frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1828-1832
maker
Mickley, Joseph J.
ID Number
MI.299837
catalog number
299837
accession number
61285

Fender Rhodes Electric Piano

This electric piano was made by the Fender Rhodes Company in Fullerton, California around 1971-1973. It is a Mark I stage piano, which was produced from 1969-1975.
Description

This electric piano was made by the Fender Rhodes Company in Fullerton, California around 1971-1973. It is a Mark I stage piano, which was produced from 1969-1975. This piano is serial number 24761, and has a compass of 6ix octaves, Rhodes action, with hammers facing the keyboard, metal bars with resonator bars and coils to turn vibrations into electrical charges, rubber pads on plastic shank hammers, 2 hand stops: tone regulator and volume regulator, wood frame, an imitation leather-covered wood case, and a folding metal base.

This piano features the following patents:

U. S. Patent #2972922, dated February 28, 1961 by Harold B. Rhodes for an electrical musical instrument in the nature of a piano.

U. S. Patent #3270608, dated September 6, 1966 by Harold B. Rhodes for a piano action.

U. S. Design Patent #200439, dated February 23, 1965 by Harold B. Rhodes for an electric piano.

U.S. Design Patent #200440, dated February 23, 1965 by Harold B. Rhodes for an electric piano.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1971-1973
maker
Fender Rhodes Company
ID Number
1988.0047.01
accession number
1988.0047
catalog number
1988.0047.01

Nunns Square Piano

This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York around 1824-1830. Robert and his Brother William established their firm in 1823, manufacturing pianos both for themselves and the company of Dubois & Stodart.
Description
This square piano was made by Robert and William Nunns for Dubois & Stodart in New York, New York around 1824-1830. Robert and his Brother William established their firm in 1823, manufacturing pianos both for themselves and the company of Dubois & Stodart. This piano is serial number 543 and has a compass of FF-f4, and English Double action, leather hammers covered with felt, double-strings, the first 10 notes are wound, tuning pins at the rear, 1 pedal: dampers, an iron hitch-pin plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1824-1833
maker
Robert & William Nunns
ID Number
MI.60.1388
catalog number
60.1388
accession number
227687

Stewart & Chickering Square Piano

This square piano was made by Stewart & Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts around 1823-1824. Seven square pianos made during the three years of the partnership between James Stewart and Jonas Chickering are known to exist.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Stewart & Chickering in Boston, Massachusetts around 1823-1824. Seven square pianos made during the three years of the partnership between James Stewart and Jonas Chickering are known to exist. This piano has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action, leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedal (missing): dampers, an iron string plate frame, and a mahogany case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1823-1824
maker
Stewart & Chickering
ID Number
MI.315718
catalog number
315718
accession number
58488

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