Standard nature musk and false nature musk were identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) combined with derivative spectra in the present article. The main characteristic absorption peaks of musk represented the key components such as macrocyclic ketone (2923, 2851 cm(-1)), polypeptides (1655, 1546 cm(-1)) and steroids (1400, 1038 cm(-1)) respectively. Ensuing from the researches artificial musk and natural musk resemble the exemplar of market nature musk. Particularly, the infrared spectra of samples of natural musk and artificial musk are more similar and hard to be distinguished. In virtue of derivative spectra analysis, the resolution of spectra is advanced; several kinds of standard musk have been differentiated directly and effectively. This method was fast, sensitive, direct and nondestructive, and could be used to identify the source of rare materia medica and distinguish the counterfeits of musk successfully.