In this paper, we would like to present a different perspective on the digitalisation of instrument collections, which we as musical instrument makers would find useful if applied by museums.
Adequate basic information
Although it may seem logical to emphasise the number of keys in the description of an instrument, this is not the most relevant data from an acoustic point of view, nor is it sufficient in itself. Indeed, as the number of keys and the complexity of each instrument increases, it is more appropriate to indicate the type of mechanism.
Another problem is that the work of museologists and instrument makers requires different data. In most databases, the dimensions of an artefact are given in terms of storage and display, i.e. the largest dimensions. However, for an understanding of the acoustic properties, the internal measurements are more important, and detailed documentation of these would also be necessary for the production of replicas, which will be discussed later.
Sadly, it is also frequent that the databases of prestigious institutions contain images of instruments that are not correctly assembled. It is easy to make this mistake with wind instruments with a more complex mechanism, but the correct assembly would be necessary for properly observing the mechanism. Another typical issue is when the mouthpiece is placed upside down, or the parts of the instrument are assembled in such a way that the instrument cannot be used. But fortunately, this is probably the easiest of the problems mentioned here to remedy.
Of course, a museologist cannot be expected to have in-depth knowledge of organology, especially if the instruments are part of mixed collections where they have been placed according to their material or place of use. However, the three problems outlined above can all be solved if the museologist works with an expert of the family of instruments when creating the descriptions. The use of appropriate terms could also be facilitated by the involvement of experts who are active in the field. By incorporating these aspects, the description would not only capture what an artefact looks like, but also what makes wood and metal a musical instrument.
More useful information
The history of musical instruments is full of colourful legends, so care should be taken with information about the origins and materials of musical instruments and only authentic and verifiable data about them should be published. There is also room for improvement in this area in our museum databases.
It is also important to consider the information on the history of each instrument, which can also help us to determine the extent to which an artefact can be used as an analogy. An important question to ask when examining an instrument is whether it has all its parts and whether they are original. It is easy to spot repairs such as a replaced key that is different in style or even improperly soldered (Picture 1).

Picture 1: Marking of damage, previous unprofessional repairs.
1. Replaced key, different in style.
2. Aesthetically unsound, unstable soldering. 3. A combination of the two.
A more in-depth study of the musical instruments also involves studying the various identification marks. The display of trademarks, logos, patent numbers in the database can help to identify the exact model/type. It also helps to protect the artefacts if they have good quality photographs that researchers can access. A digital collection of instruments that is useful for us contains high-resolution images showing the whole instrument in at least two views and several close-ups of important details.
In addition to this exhaustive observation of the details of the instrument, the documentation of the cases, parts, accessories, papers and other small items that are included with the instrument can also provide important information. Every accessory stored with an instrument has a lot of information, but it requires expertise to assess the “extent” to which a particular mouthpiece, bocal, reed, brochure, leaflet, etc. may be associated with the instrument.

Picture 2: Instruction manual found in a flute case before and after restoration.
Measurement, drawing
The special place of musical instruments among artefacts is due to the fact that their value is not only due to their being artefacts, but also to the fact that their sound is of interest to many and can be the basis for research. As the instruments in collections are generally not playable, it would be worthwhile to make detailed measurements and drawings of the most important historical instruments and make them available to instrument makers, so that they can be reconstructed in a way that musicians can play them. Such a professional drawing could be used to study the sound of the instrument without risking the integrity of the original. Many collections in Europe publish drawings of their major instruments, which the museum itself sells.
Summary
Why is digitalisation important?
- When a collection of instruments is digitalised and accessible to a wider audience, it can also serve an educational purpose and inspire further research.
- It reduces the risk of accidents during transport and handling.
- It can help cooperation between public and private collections (in researching the history of musical instruments, increasing knowledge).
- Museum collections can be made available for viewing and researching objects that are not currently on display.