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The remarkable history of percussion instruments is traced through the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to the Classical Period. Hosted by James Blades, consultant Professor of Percussion at the University of Surrey.

This is truly world music—an international collection of musical instruments, including the koto (a Japanese zither), the duda (a Hungarian bagpipe), mbira (a linguaphone from Zimbabwe), and hardanger fiddle (a folk violin from Norway). Author and composer Andy Jackson talks to Jim Smith, editor of the Sussex Tapes Music series and Director of Music at the Royal Grammar School, Worcester, U.K.

Journey around the world on a musical exploration of geography, culture, and history through a variety of regions. Covering details of 14 countries, each chapter of the book describes the musical history, influences, instruments, and performance details. The descriptive analysis of each musical piece includes information from regions as diverse as the Andes, Spain, India, Tibet, Egypt, and others.