music box
what it is
A music box (also musical box) is a 19th/20th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique. Some of the more complex boxes also have a tiny drum and/or small bells, in addition to the metal comb.
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level 4 · further
art pop, hyperpop, and the underground
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deep experimental
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questions
What is music box?
A music box (also musical box) is a 19th/20th century automatic musical instrument that produces sounds by the use of a set of pins placed on a revolving cylinder or disc so as to pluck the tuned teeth (or lamellae) of a steel comb. They were developed from musical snuff boxes of the 18th century and called carillons à musique. Some of the more complex boxes also have a tiny drum and/or small bells, in addition to the metal comb.
What are good music box albums to start with?
Try Music Box Collection by Music Box, Wisteria by 志方あきこ, Moon and Star by Wintergatan Soundtracks, and Music Box Archives vol 01 by Various Artists.
Who are some women making music box?
musicisforgirls.com/genres/music-box/girls lists women, non-binary artists, and bands with women making music box, from mainstream to underground.
genre notes from last.fm listeners · artists and albums from last.fm, updated 2026-10-21