The most obvious musical collectibles, I would say, are the instruments themselves.  If you play, you probably have one or two of each instrument you play.  Add a few more and use your collection to decorate an important wall in your abode.

Old or new, instruments can be used to personalize your room.

A stylish display of trumpets or violins could enhance your decor, give you a place to store the instruments besides the floor or closet, and tell visitors something about what you are.

The instrument's shape may provide lots of possibilities for a grouped display.

Of course, if the instruments are small, this makes displaying them both easier and more difficult.  For really small instruments, like harmonicas, it would be necessary to find a way to display them in which the display itself does not overwhelm the objects.  A shelf with harmonicas would probably seem to be only a shelf unless one got quite close.  Mounting the harmonicas on the wall on brackets or hooks would probably still distort the display, emphasizing the hanging hardware and not the instruments.  I will have to think about this.

The smaller woodwinds would make a really nice display.  Flutes arranged in a radial pattern would be interesting.

But, Geekness, I play the double bass.  Surely you don’t think I can decorate with a flotilla of double basses, do you?  Actually, in some ways they would be the most interesting to decorate with.  In a loft or a room with a cathedral ceiling, an arrangement of double basses could be quite eye-catching and cover a lot of blank wall.  Hang the ones you use closest to the floor, of course.

Me?  I always thought a collection of kazoos was my speed.

Kazoo, choice of millions.

Or the plastic recorders we used to have to buy for 7th grade music class.  I played accordion for a couple of years.  (Think about displaying a collection of those!)  And I had an electric organ for a while, but there is no collecting possibilities there unless you own and live in a warehouse.

Lastly, collect musical instruments as you travel the world, or your nearest import store or import web site.  They are usually colorful or interesting in a visual way that modern band or orchestra instruments are not.

Souvenir instruments are usually colorful.

And when the grand-kids come to visit, you can send them outside to play music to their heart’s content.  You may foster the musical interest of a Gene Krupa or Sammy Figueroa.

Ethnic drums are usually easy to find, once you start looking.

Some instruments have mythic connections, like the pan pipe.  If you are into mythology, this is a perfect instrument to collect, along with single flutes.

Pan pipes refer the the Greek mythical figure of Pan, god of shepherds and flocks.

Ocarinas, or sweet potatoes, are also a common cultural development, as was the bagpipe.  Now, as a historian, you have a reason for collecting bagpipes!  And you don’t even have to learn to play them.  This is history and culture at your fingertips.

* * * And now, a few words about Christmas bells. * * *

The images on this post are from Stock Xchnge.

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