Instrumental
Instrumental explores the hidden stories of musical instruments, from ancient bone flutes to modern synthesizers. It reveals how instruments shape culture, technology, and human expression, rooted in organology—the study of how instruments are made, function, and evolve. The podcast educates, inspires, preserves endangered traditions, and celebrates global diversity through expert voices, rich storytelling, and the sounds of the instruments themselves.
Episodes
Benjamin Hebbert: Violins - to craftsmanship and beyond.
Most collectors obsess over the labels and provenance of legendary violins, but what if the true value lies beneath the surface? Benjamin Hebbett, master violin restorer and historian, unveils the hidden science, artistry, and ethics behind the world’s most iconic instruments—from Stradivari to Guarneri.In this eye-opening episode, you'll discover how forensic science is revolutionizing violin
Sam Edelston - Unlocking the Hidden Power of the Dulcimer — From Folk Roots to Pop and Rock
What if one of the simplest stringed instruments could revolutionize modern music? Sam Edelston, a master dulcimer player, reveals how this humble instrument is breaking stereotypes—and how you can harness its potential for surprise, innovation, and pure musical joy.Sam’s journey from high school folk festivals to performing at Carnegie Hall showcases an electric evolution: he’s taken the traditio
Deborah Henson-Conant: How Imagination, Exploration, Vulnerablity and the Harp Led to Artistic Breakthroughs
Discover how relentless creativity and authentic self-expression transform the world of musical instruments. In this inspiring conversation, renowned harp innovator Deborah Henson-Conant shares her extraordinary journey from playful curiosity to pioneering electric harp design that breaks all conventions. Tune in to learn why the harp is more than an instrument — it’s a vehicle for vulnerability,
Sound, Craft, and Culture: Curating Instrumental Heritage with Professor Gabriele Rossi Rognoni
In this episode, I’m joined by Professor Gabriele Rossi Rognoni, curator of the Royal College of Music Museum, London, for a wide-ranging conversation. Drawing on his experience developing and re-imagining musical instrument museums across Europe, Professor Rossi Rognoni reflects on how collections can tell richer stories about sound, craft, and cultural exchange. We explore the evolving role of i
A life in harp-making with John Hoare of Pilgrim Harps
Harps - and by extension their making - are among the oldest families of musical instruments known to humankind. Most of us recognise the sound of the modern harp, often associated with serenity and calm, but this is only one facet of a far richer and more complex instrument. Far fewer people know how the harps we hear today came to be.In this episode of Instrumental, I speak with John Hoare, foun
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