Every Little Girl Desires A Music Box
I remember my first music box. It was a typical pink vinyl jewelry box. You opened it up and the plastic ballerina did pirouettes to the tune playing. It's funny, I can't remember the tune, but Oh do I remember that pink music box. It was divine! It was to die for! It was every girls dream and that ballerina got me through my first ballet lessons. I was three. It turned out that I had absolutely no talent for ballet - in fact I hated it!! (But I was three!)
In spite of that, I still LOVED that music box. Even after I broke off the plastic ballerina (by accident) because I wanted to see what made her dance. Even after the GOLDEN key on the bottom broke off because I Kept winding it too tightly - I loved that music box.
In fact, when I took it apart to see how the music was made I still kept the drum and tine mechanism for years. I still used my now silent music box for jewelry for years and only lost track of it when I was married and moving into a new house.
I cherished that poor abused pink vinyl musical jewelry box for over 30 years!
Remember when?
In spite of that, I still LOVED that music box. Even after I broke off the plastic ballerina (by accident) because I wanted to see what made her dance. Even after the GOLDEN key on the bottom broke off because I Kept winding it too tightly - I loved that music box.
In fact, when I took it apart to see how the music was made I still kept the drum and tine mechanism for years. I still used my now silent music box for jewelry for years and only lost track of it when I was married and moving into a new house.
I cherished that poor abused pink vinyl musical jewelry box for over 30 years!
Remember when?
Music Box Dancer
on the Hammered Dulcimer
An absolute favorite of mine - I just wish the video showed the man playing the actual instrument. But the song is beautiful!
powered by Youtube
The First "Recorded" Music
If you think about it music boxes were one of the first forms of recorded music in history. Back in the 16th century, a man named Antoine Favre produced the first "real" music box and they have been captivating young and old alike ever since. The Europeans are most famous for their music box movements, but after World War II, the Japanese have been making some very fine movements.The movements usually consist of flat metal pins tuned to various notes on the scale and placed side by side, rather like piano keys. A metal cylinder turns at the edge of the pins. "Bumps" on the metal cylinder cause the pins to strike their notes, and as the cylinder turns, a tune plays.
Different Types of Music Box Movements
There are really three different types of music boxes.
The cylinder type of music box usually has only one cylinder that is non removable and plays multiple tunes by shifting the cylinder sideways to engage a separate set of pins to play 4, 6, or 8 tunes. Some of the more expensive ones also have removable interchangeable cylinders to get even more variety.
The disc type of music box can either be the tabletop, console, upright or automatic changer style music box. The tabletop model usually can sit on top of a table or may come with a stand that matches the music box. The console style stands on the floor and usually has space in the bottom section for the storage of extra discs. The upright variety has the disc mounted vertically and may also have a stand that goes under it for disc storage.
Finally the Flat Tine style of music box movement. The notes are generated when the tines strike a bar beneath them. The exact note is determined by the width and length of the tine.
The cylinder type of music box usually has only one cylinder that is non removable and plays multiple tunes by shifting the cylinder sideways to engage a separate set of pins to play 4, 6, or 8 tunes. Some of the more expensive ones also have removable interchangeable cylinders to get even more variety.
The disc type of music box can either be the tabletop, console, upright or automatic changer style music box. The tabletop model usually can sit on top of a table or may come with a stand that matches the music box. The console style stands on the floor and usually has space in the bottom section for the storage of extra discs. The upright variety has the disc mounted vertically and may also have a stand that goes under it for disc storage.
Finally the Flat Tine style of music box movement. The notes are generated when the tines strike a bar beneath them. The exact note is determined by the width and length of the tine.
A Music Box For All
It's easy to find one for everyone you know. (.... except a teenage boy maybe)
I have a Hummel music box that plays Adelweis, Several globe music boxes that play various Christmas songs that I pull out every year and am always tempted to LEAVE out every year!Visit SFMusicbox.com and take 50-75% off retiring collectibles!
Common Woods Used for Music Boxes
They are truly works of art. I think they appeal to almost everyone not just because of the appealing sounds they play, but also because of the wide variety of styles and the artistry that went into making them. From Walnut Burl to Bird's Eye Maple. From Rosewood to beautiful inlay combinations - their beauty can send the imagination soaring!
Sorrento Inlay
Birds Eye Maple ...
Burl Elm ...
Cherry Wood ...
Walnut ...
Walnut Burl ...
Rosewood ...
These are just the wood music boxes too. I also have a beautiful marble box and I've seen them in soapstone, crystal, glass and ceramic.
Sorrento Inlay
Birds Eye Maple ...
Burl Elm ...
Cherry Wood ...
Walnut ...
Walnut Burl ...
Rosewood ...
These are just the wood music boxes too. I also have a beautiful marble box and I've seen them in soapstone, crystal, glass and ceramic.
Clever and Unusual Music "boxes"
Music "box" dolls for one!
This ceramic doll is one that should be treasured for generations. The doll is beautifully dressed and her ceramic hands, feet and head, remind me of the dolls my grandmother used to play with. I can't think of too many little girls that would be able to resist loving one of these musical dolls. For the jestor in your family
Camelot at it's best?
The ability to put personality in the music boxes you choose for your own collection or as a gift for someone else has never been better. This egg is pure Victorian elegance!
If your favorite design era is the Victorian Age, this is just one of many available. Music Boxes That Tickle your fancy
music boxes that become heirlooms
I wish I could show you all the different music boxes that I found when researching this lens. There just isn't enough room to do that. The variety is endless - as is the price! Pricing for music boxes range from $5 - $2000 and more!Regardless of the pricing they bring a smile to anyone who receives one as a gift. I already have three picked out for my daughters for NEXT Christmas and I have NO doubt that these young ladies of mine will love them. and yes.. they are mothers themselves, so perhaps they will pass them down to their daughters. I hope so.
A "New" way To Buy Music Boxes
choose your own music for your music box
I found out that when you find a music box that you really like, but don't care for the tune that it plays - you're NOT stuck!! (Did you know that?)Anyway, at San Francisco Music Boxes, all you have to do is find the box (or doll, or egg or carosel), and then pick a tune that you like. Tunes come in 18-72 note formats. The 72 notes ones are fantastic and while not an orchestra, they are very clear and beautiful! They will add the correct music for you and ship it out!. How cool is that? San Francisco Music Boxes also offers gift wrapping and you can even have an engraved plate put on many of them. An engraved plate makes it a very personal gift to commemorate a holiday, birthday or any special event.
According to San Francisco Music Box the top 5 songs are:
Amazing Grace
Fur Elise
Pachelbel's Canon in D
Wind Beneath My Wings
You Are My Sunshine
I don't know folks, but I KNOW I'm hooked on getting music boxes for all the girls in my life! With tunes that I like or that are favorites of theirs I don't think I can go wrong!
Best Resource for Customized Music Boxes
You won't be disappointed - and neither will the girls in your life - if you visit the San Francisco Music Boxes. There is sure to be a gift for them there! (or maybe even one to add to your own collection!
Music boxes at Amazon Too!
Ballerina Treasure Music Box
Amazon Price: $28.99 (as of 12/25/2009) 
CR184 Munchen Music Box
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Miniature Harp Music Box
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Did you have a ballerina music jewelry box as a child?
Do you still have it?
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- Heather426 Heather426 Jul 11, 2009 @ 3:44 pm
- love music boxes and have over 40!
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- jamo8 jamo8 May 14, 2009 @ 9:53 am
- Romance! All little girls want to be either a ballerina or a princess and in a little girls eyes they are very close, aren't they?
I wonder if maybe ballerina's weren't one of the first professions for women that wasn't looked upon as "bad"???
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- Lucy Lucy Apr 8, 2009 @ 3:48 pm
- yes i have one and i am using it in my art work for my art degree. the song is Love Story and the ballerina is being held up by a male ballet dancer. they are on a magnet that moves around with the music on a mirrored floor. it is a tearjerker. i'm trying to find out why are ballerina's so popular and when was that idea first thought of? anyone know?
by jamo8
Welcome to my Lens! I hope that you found it informative and useful. Music boxes have been something I was always interested in. The Music Box Atic ... (more)
