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.

Place: Massachusetts

"Russian Polish Dance"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.91, “Russian Polish Dance.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.91, “Russian Polish Dance.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.091
catalog number
66.196.091
accession number
271968

Babcock Square Piano

This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock for R. Mackay in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825-1829. Babcock learned his trade from Benjamin Crehore, Boston’s first piano maker.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock for R. Mackay in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825-1829. Babcock learned his trade from Benjamin Crehore, Boston’s first piano maker. This piano is serial number 295 and has a compass of FF-f4, an English double action, divided at c#3, basswood core leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 2 pedals: dampers and harmonic swell, wood frame, and a mahogany and rosewood veneered case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1829
maker
Babcock, Alpheus
ID Number
MI.315720
accession number
058488
catalog number
315720

"Try, Try, Again"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.136, "Try, Try, Again." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.136, "Try, Try, Again." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.136
catalog number
66.196.136
accession number
271968

"Old Pal Why Don't You Answer Me"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.88, “Old Pal Why Don't You Answer Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.88, “Old Pal Why Don't You Answer Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.088
catalog number
66.196.088
accession number
271968

The Bosstone Company Envelope

This envelope was for the Bosstone Grand instrument made by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. It is used with the Bosstone Demonstrator Form (Cat. MI.66.196.003). Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).Currently not on view
Description
This envelope was for the Bosstone Grand instrument made by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. It is used with the Bosstone Demonstrator Form (Cat. MI.66.196.003). Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.004
catalog number
66.196.004
accession number
271968

"Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.56, “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.56, “Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.057
catalog number
66.196.057
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 56

Meditation

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American composer. Pianist, and jazz band and orchestra leader , composer, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1918–1974) entitled Meditation.
Description

This linoleum print with black ink on white paper was made by Peter Bodge in Newburyport, Massachusetts, in 1986. It is a portrait of American composer. Pianist, and jazz band and orchestra leader , composer, Edward Kennedy "Duke" Ellington (1918–1974) entitled Meditation. Print number 8/10.

Peter Bodge is a jazz drummer, art teacher, and printmaker in Massachusetts. Bodge creates linoleum prints and other works on paper. His work most often features portraits, action shots semi-abstract interpretations of such famous jazz musicians, such as Charlie Parker, Dizzy Gillespie, Duke Elllngton , Count Basie and John Coltrane. In 1977, Bodge created a short animated film based on the life of Charlie Parker entitled Bird Lives!:

https://www.cambridgecollege.edu/bird-lives-film-peter-bodge

Location
Currently not on view
printing date
1986
depicted
Ellington, Duke
artist
Bodge, Peter
ID Number
1989.0025.04
catalog number
1989.0025.04
accession number
1989.0025

Green New England Bass Viol

This New England Bass Viol was made by William Green in Medway, Massachusetts, in 1806.
Description

This New England Bass Viol was made by William Green in Medway, Massachusetts, in 1806. It is constructed of local domestic wood; table of broad grained pine (?) in two pieces; back of plain maple (?) in two pieces; ribs of similar maple; plain maple neck, pegbox and scroll, stained maple pegs, fingerboard and tailpiece; varnish highly crazed, opaque reddish orange-brown. The instrument has an original handwritten label:

Bass Viols Made & Sold
by William Green.
Medway 1806

Unlike many New England bass viols, this instrument is constructed with interior linings and corner blocks, and the ribs are not inlaid, but glued flush to the table and back. The instrument is ornamented by single painted purfling with a small xxxx pattern beneath the button on the back. The neck and top-block section, carved from a single piece of maple, is positioned inside the back with a small iron pin through the extended neck-foot. This bass viol is also unusually fine and intact excepting strings, bridge and soundpost.

William Green worked from 1798 to 1800 with William Bent in Boston. After dissolving their partnership, Green moved to Medway to make bass viols where he was joined by Deacon Allen from about 1815 to 1818. Green died ca. 1825.

The modern term for this instrument is church bass. During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, this instrument was also known as the American bass viol, New England bass viol, or Yankee bass viol. These church basses were used in churches and meeting houses to provide a bass line for maintaining a consistent key by New England congregational singers. The church bass was also used by popular singing groups such as the Hutchinson Family singers.

date made
1806
maker
Green, William
ID Number
1985.0861.01
catalog number
1985.0861.01
accession number
1985.0861

"When the Angelus Is Ringing"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.61, “When the Angelus Is Ringing.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.61, “When the Angelus Is Ringing.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.061
catalog number
66.196.061
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 61

Babcock Square Piano

This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock, for R. Mackay, in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825-1829. During the 1820s, Babcock was financed largely by the Mackay family, and names such as G. (George) D. Mackay and R.
Description (Brief)
This square piano was made by Alpheus Babcock, for R. Mackay, in Boston, Massachusetts around 1825-1829. During the 1820s, Babcock was financed largely by the Mackay family, and names such as G. (George) D. Mackay and R. (Ruth) Mackay are common on Babcock’s name boards at that time. This piano is serial number 317 and has a compass of FF-c4, an English double action with escapement, basswood core leather hammers, double-strings throughout, 1 pedal: dampers (missing), wood frame, and a mahogany and rosewood veneered case.
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1825-1829
maker
Babcock, Alpheus
ID Number
MI.315719
catalog number
315719
accession number
58488

"The Girl I Left Behind Me"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.111, “The Girl I Left Behind Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.111, “The Girl I Left Behind Me.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.111
catalog number
66.196.111
accession number
271968

"Jocelyn (Lullaby)"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.138, "Jocelyn (Lullaby)." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.138, "Jocelyn (Lullaby)." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.138
catalog number
66.196.138
accession number
271968

"Sobre las olas" ("Over the Waves")

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.146, "Sobre las olas" ("Over the Waves"). It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.146, "Sobre las olas" ("Over the Waves"). It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).

“Sobras las olas” (“Over the Waves”) was written by Mexican composer Juventino Rosas (1868-1894), and first published in 1888.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.146
catalog number
66.196.146
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 146

"Rock of Ages"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.29, “Rock of Ages.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.29, “Rock of Ages.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.030
catalog number
66.196.030
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 29

Bosstone Grand - Old Oaken Bucket

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for chart No. 163, "Bosstone Grand - Old Oaken Bucket." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for chart No. 163, "Bosstone Grand - Old Oaken Bucket." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
ID Number
MI.66.196.163
catalog number
66.196.163
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 162

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (b. 1935) one of the first rockabilly artists, was known for his hit songs "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" (1957) and "Great Balls of Fire" (1961).
Description
Jerry Lee Lewis (b. 1935) one of the first rockabilly artists, was known for his hit songs "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" (1957) and "Great Balls of Fire" (1961). Lewis's flamboyant style and sound grew out of his Louisiana upbringing, a mix of traditional country and gospel, boogie woogie on the radio, and music he heard at his uncle's honky-tonk.
Location
Currently not on view
negative
1975
print
2003
Associated Name
Lewis, Jerry Lee
maker
Horenstein, Henry
ID Number
2003.0169.101
accession number
2003.0169
catalog number
2003.0169.101

Parker Fly Electric Guitar

This electric guitar was made by Parker Guitars of Willmington, Massachusetts in 1997. The company began in the early 1990s by luthier, Ken Parker. Parker Fly guitars are unique in their appearance and incorporate a radical new approach to the construction of electric guitars.
Description
This electric guitar was made by Parker Guitars of Willmington, Massachusetts in 1997. The company began in the early 1990s by luthier, Ken Parker. Parker Fly guitars are unique in their appearance and incorporate a radical new approach to the construction of electric guitars. Ken Parker was co-patentee with Lawrence Fishman on a number of patents for this new style of guitar. In 2003 the company was sold to U.S. Music Corporation in Illinois. This electric guitar is a Fly Classic Model, serial #028017BMH, with four control knobs: master volume, magnetic volume, magnetic tone, and piezo volume and tone, and two toggle switches: magnetic pickup selector and piezo/magnetic pickup selector.
Location
Currently not on view
Date made
1997
maker
Parker Guitars
ID Number
1997.0299.01
accession number
1997.0299
catalog number
1997.0299.01

"Old Black Joe"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.14, “Old Black Joe.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.14, “Old Black Joe.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.016
maker number
No. 15
catalog number
66.196.016
accession number
271968

Boston Musical Instrument Manufactoty B-Flat/A Cornet

This cornet was made by Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory in Boston, Massachusetts around 1878 to 1880. It is a B-flat/A cornet made of silver plated brass with 3 piston valves.
Description

This cornet was made by Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory in Boston, Massachusetts around 1878 to 1880. It is a B-flat/A cornet made of silver plated brass with 3 piston valves. The cornet is engraved:

Made
by the
BOSTON
Musical Instrument
Manufy.

Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory was formed when the E.G. Wright Company and Graves & Company merged in 1869. By 1902, the company name was changed to the Boston Musical Instrument Company.

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1878-1880
maker
Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory
Boston Musical Instrument Manufactory
ID Number
1985.0017.02
accession number
1985.0017
catalog number
1985.0017.02

"The Wearing of the Green"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.125, “'The Wearing of the Green.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.125, “'The Wearing of the Green.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.125
catalog number
66.196.125
accession number
271968

“The Storm”

This sheet music for the song "The Storm" was written and composed by Henry Weber, and published by the Oliver Ditson Co. of Boston, Massachusetts in 1879.
Description
This sheet music for the song "The Storm" was written and composed by Henry Weber, and published by the Oliver Ditson Co. of Boston, Massachusetts in 1879. The cover calls the composition “an imitation of nature composed for the piano.” The font evokes a storm, with the “The” in the title being enveloped in a cloud with lightning bolts, and the font looking like jagged bolts as well.
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1879
composer
Weber, Henry
publisher
Oliver Ditson Company
ID Number
1982.0439.20
accession number
1982.0439
catalog number
1982.0439.020

"Jesus Lover of My Soul"

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.45, “Jesus Lover of My Soul.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, around 1924-1926. This music chart is for the tune No.45, “Jesus Lover of My Soul.” It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
date made
1924-1926
ID Number
MI.66.196.046
catalog number
66.196.046
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 45

William S. Haynes Boehm System Flute

This flute was made by William S. Haynes in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906. It is a Boehm System flute, serial #1031, made of rosewood with silver ferrules and keys. This flute is stamped:WM. S. HAYNESBOSTON MASS.1031Currently not on view
Description

This flute was made by William S. Haynes in Boston, Massachusetts in 1906. It is a Boehm System flute, serial #1031, made of rosewood with silver ferrules and keys. This flute is stamped:

WM. S. HAYNES
BOSTON MASS.
1031

Location
Currently not on view
date made
1906
maker
Haynes, William S.
ID Number
1983.0234.05
accession number
1983.0234
catalog number
1983.0234.05

Reference Chart No. 150

This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for "Reference Chart No. 150." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions.
Description
This music chart was made for the Bosstone Grand Autoharp by the Bosstone Co. in East Boston, Massachusetts, in 1924. This music chart is for "Reference Chart No. 150." It is made of paper with printed playing instructions. The chart is placed under the strings and used as a template for playing the instrument. Accessioned with Bosstone Autoharp (Cat. #MI.66.196).
Location
Currently not on view
publishing date
1924
ID Number
MI.66.196.150
catalog number
66.196.150
accession number
271968
maker number
No. 150

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