Moon Petal

The Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California

The NAMM Foundation is an organization which promotes music by providing a variety of musical instruments and equipment to people in hopes of encouraging support and musical education.  One of the divisions of this foundation is located in Carlsbad, California.  This is the Museum of Music Making.   When traveling to Carlsbad, many people come searching for a great beach hotel, and a little bit of fun and sun on the beach and in the water of the Pacific.  The beaches in Carlsbad are wonderful, however for music lovers of all ages, a stop into this museum is a must.  And should you be staying in either Los Angeles or San Diego, this trip to Carlsbad is just an hour and a half from LA, and about an hour from San Diego–a short trip that is well worth it.

There is a music history that lies within the instruments and products themselves.  That history is outlined at the museum, from the beginnings of the 1890′s through the current world of music today.  There are also exhibitions with illustrate the dedication the hard work, the challanges and the inspiration that lie within music making and within the industry.  Innovations in products over the years is included in the history, as well as lectures and shows that are designed to illuminate the audience to the fact that the world of music is a global collective.

The relationship between the old and the new, and the musicians themselves is one that is and always has been a symbiotic one.  Ever changing, but always important.  There are many unique products and instruments that most people are not aware of and their unknown stories are told at the museum.  Over the year they present many concerts, workshops, discussion and films and they have a program for disadvantaged young people, giving them the chance at a world they were unable to enter, or had no idea even existed at all.  This is a marvelous place, just a great look at the world of music, and the ways in which we can all find inspiration when traveling in that world and spending time with it.

Related posts:

1. French Legation Museum in Austin
2. Philadelphia Mutter Museum