Topic: Musical Instruments

20 non-fiction books to watch for in 2012

Here’s a sampling of some of the more promising early 2012 nonfiction titles.

The most expensive items on Amazon

We went through each of Amazon's departments looking for the most expensive item. Here's what we found. 

Richard Gere guitar collection fetches $1M in NYC

Richard Gere says he's parting with the instruments to support global humanitarian causes. Christie's says the "Pretty Woman" star studied trumpet and is a self-taught pianist and guitarist.

Record Store Day: Five gems worth hunting for

Here are five gems that you'll never see warping in the sun at a garage sale at my house.

Eric Clapton guitars fetch millions for charity

Eric Clapton guitars on auction: The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Eric Clapton, has put guitars on the auction block in New York, raising millions of dollars for his charity.

Drum players besiege Irish island

Every summer, the small Irish island of Inis Óirr is invaded with drum players from all over the world who want to learn how to play the traditional Bodhrán.

Real-life guitar hero: Les Paul

The ultimate 'can do' guy helped Woodstock plug in.

World's oldest instrument found. And boy, could those cavemen rock.

Fiddling with Stradivari's formulas

Preservatives in effect reduced the density of the wood and may have helped give the luthiers' instruments their unique tones.

Piano: The Making of a Steinway Grand Concert Piano

Players gather in the Santa Cruz Mountains to make music from saws

Devotees of the old art form – including everyone from college professors to vaudeville performers – produce a symphony of sounds that are at once Halloween eerie and songbird sweet.

Are tomorrow's guitar heroes playing 'Guitar Hero'?

Some claim that video games help kids hone real musical chops and interest in the instrument.