The Evolution of Musical Instruments Explored

[Still Waters]

No one knows where music came from, or who Elvis' singing predecessors were, or even when the first instruments were invented, but Neville Fletcher, a retired scientist at the Australian National University in Canberra who has made a hobby of studying the physics of instruments, thinks the key to the invention of instruments is the materials available in each civilization. The people used what they had.

http://www.livescien...nstruments.html

[Ever Learning]

is that why are music is so electronic, i guess we shall witness the death of the instrument, R.I.P

[RedSquirrel]

[silly] No. nonono. God made the guitar as it is, there is no proof of evolution in musical instruments. [/silly]

A very enjoyable read, music grows, changes and so our need for tools to grow with it.

[Majikwayz]

I think drums are as old as we are, i drum on things subconciously/naturally, horns were most likely stumbled upon and probably used for many things including music, I think strings were discovered by people being very creative......then....electricity comes along making more evolutionary possibilities.

[Taun]

I agree that drums were probably the first, and I would say flutes and whistles were second - using hollowed out bone - probably discovered while sucking the marrow out...

[sarah_444]

Nice article, Still Waters. Thanks for posting it!

[Hippycrite]

I don't know about the battle sounds, but certainly the sounds of everyday chores as chipping stone for tools, pounding and scraping animal skins and plants would provide a rhythm. And the various work surfaces and tools used would affect the tones made during the activity.With some observation, and just a bit of refinement, purposeful tools-instruments-could be made. Add some vocalization-perhaps simply conversation about the activity being performed-and it could be called a song.

[Junior Chubb]

[silly] No. nonono. God made the guitar as it is, there is no proof of evolution in musical instruments. [/silly]

Spot on, they might be evolving now but if there was ever a strong argument for creationism at the beginning this is it...

[pallidin]

Musical instruments evolved from two sources. One being the pleasure of the human ears, the other being to "attract" animals closer for a kill.

[Sundew]

Spot on, they might be evolving now but if there was ever a strong argument for creationism at the beginning this is it...

Further proof: "His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes." Genesis 4:20-22 (in context)

Makes you wonder what the stringed instrument he played looked like. Gibson or Fender?

[lightly]

We listen to the beat of our mother's hearts for months before birth. I think that instills in us a natural affinity for 'drums' . My mom also sang a lot as she went about her daily affairs... she told me I kept time to music before i talked or walked.

[RedSquirrel]

Further proof: "His brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all who play stringed instruments and pipes." Genesis 4:20-22 (in context)

Makes you wonder what the stringed instrument he played looked like. Gibson or Fender?

I dunno, but I do know that Martin guitars are built in Nazareth (O.k... Nazareth PA, but still), so I may have to lean that way.

[Taun]

Here is how it was done... Taken from that great historical documentary "Caveman"...