The Museum Of Making Music
Explore the history and innovation of American music products at The Museum of Making Music. Offering an unusual perspective, the museum showcases a side of the music industry where very little is known. The museum educates the public through films, private concerts, and workshops. There’s also an interactive area where visitors have the opportunity to create their own music.
On permanent display are hundreds of vintage instruments, audio and video clips, and a vibrant interactive area. Organized chronologically, each gallery features the historic milestones, popular music and instruments of those eras. Special exhibitions are presented twice a year with concurrent music presentations. Also, workshops highlighting renowned international and national musicians as well as local talent.
At the entrance to the Museum, you will notice the acronym “NAMM.” Those initials stand for the National Association of Music Merchants. The not-for-profit association that serves and strengthens the global music products industry.
The NAMM museum – the Museum of Making Music – is located on the first floor of the building. This also serves as NAMM’s international headquarters. Founded in 1998 and opened to the public in March 2000, the Museum celebrates the music products industry’s rich history from 1900 to today.
Related Posts
Music from the Sound Up: The Creative Tools of Synthesis
October 18, 2019 – August 30, 2020
As the world became increasingly electrified in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, musicians and scientists began laying the foundations of “synthesis”—an entirely new way of building sound through electrical current. This also opened the door for the development of entirely new instruments. Although early instruments were limited to only a handful of sounds, each new development in synthesis brought new opportunities for expression and personalization. It soon became apparent that with synthesis, everyone could make their own sound.
This ethos of individuality continues to drive synthesizers today. It’s possible to build almost any sound you can imagine – including the sounds of traditional instruments – and play your sound in almost any way – with a piano keyboard, a guitar, a wind instrument, a smartphone app.
Michele Berionne
05:31 06 Jun 22
Nice place, good for kids to play and adults. They have renewed it in the last two years and the new exhibits are great! Staff was super friendly!!
Ricardo Fernandez
18:27 12 May 22
Amazing place!! From precious instruments to historical video-recordings of famous artists; from exclusive interviews with composers and music producers; and from videos showing the instrument manufacturing process to the unique chance to play with an incredible array of instruments, this museum has it all. Well informed staff that pop up whenever you have a question and a truly gem of a music and books store. And the entrance fee is ridiculously low, too! Can't wait to bring the whole family for a fun filled afternoon here!!
Jeremy Jennings
04:57 05 Apr 22
We had a blast here. There's a bunch of instruments to play. The tech section was my daughter's favorite. Highly recommend a visit.
Jennifer Tinkler
02:25 17 Mar 22
The staff was knowledgeable and engaging. We talked at length about the history of different instruments and the industry of making instruments. It was great and the interactive displays along with the instruments available to play made it a blast.
gustavo baca
12:24 11 Mar 22
I took. My grandson and we have plenty fun interactively:We love music..he love all different instruments..It's amazingThis place...for all familyKidsLove..it.!!!
Toni Taylor-Helser Barefoot Music
09:29 29 Jan 22
Fabulous museum!The exhibits are interactive and some of the instruments left my party in awe.From exhibits arranged by curated instrument categories to the catogory arranged by the history of music in the USA, this museum will be enjoyed by musicians and music fans, of any age.Best part; "you play" instruments played by the artist in our party.
Laura Cole
17:56 26 Jan 22
Touch screens and well educated, personable volunteers make this a wonderful experience. The array of rare and exotic instruments is unsurpassed. Really enjoyable. Well worth the visit!!
Digithaze Hobble
05:55 30 Nov 21
The museum displays instruments through out the ages. There were tour guides/musicians who introduced us around. There were also videos and interactive programs. Everyone is welcome to try out instruments at the designated area.
David Wright
16:57 15 Oct 21
As museums go, my experience here was quite fun! Having a walk-through time with making music seeing musical instruments from thousands of years before my time to musical instruments at the forefront of Music Creation today and moreover getting an opportunity to play some of them was a hoot! There was a family who joined us after we arrived at the Museum and it was especially fun watching their kids explore and express themselves musically. There truly is something here for everybody who loves music. I thank NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, for creating this Museum for the public!
Debbie Lopez
20:28 07 Oct 21
This museum is so nice. Everyone was so kind and helpful, and very knowledgeable about music and the instruments. My children loved being able to play the many instruments at different points throughout the museum.
Jim Thomas
06:08 15 Sep 21
Had a really wonderful experience. A nice small exhibit, but depending on how much information you enjoy reading and exploring, you could spend many hours at this spot. It even had a couple of interactive musical instruments that you could play with!
Naila Sfeir
22:46 17 Aug 21
I recently visited the museum after hearing of their major renovation and was extremely impressed! The displays are so well done and informative and the new interactive touchscreens are very cool! Oh and the staff and volunteers are so nice and knowledgeable about all things music. The entire experience was really fun and can truly be enjoyed by all ages.
Bailey SanDiego
23:48 13 Aug 21
Love this place. The remodel is stunning and my favorite areas are where you can play different instruments.The volunteers are all wonderful and very knowledgeable!
Jennifer Lanausse
20:18 11 Aug 21
What a beautiful experience for my family at the Museum of Making music! The volunteers are super nice and very informative and definitely an added bonus to this experience!! Facility is very clean and organized and was super impressed on the organization and interactive learning experience!! Thank you!! Will see you again when we come back for a vacation next summer again from Westchester County NY! Thank you Again!!
Haley H
15:33 31 Jul 21
My dad and I both love music and thoroughly enjoyed learning about the history behind progression of musical instruments. Our favorite part, of course, was trying our hand at a variety of different instruments. Oh, and learning what a theremin is!! So crazy!! 😂
Randi F
02:58 18 Jul 21
June 2021. The new layout is great and everyone who works there are friendly.Great place for kids of all ages. The hands on area was so much fun for my kids.
Anita Bennett
04:04 14 Jul 21
Local or vacationing, you MUST visit the Museum of Making Music! It is newly renovated and you're going to love the interesting and interactive exhibits. The whole family really enjoyed our visit to this local gem.
Peggy Stackle
01:02 03 Jul 21
Amazing, an so well put together. Gorgeous displays, areas for some hands on interaction, places to listen and learn. Well worth the few bucks to get in. Reservations on the website.
Backyard Dharma
22:23 27 Jun 21
Knowledgeable volunteers add to the experience. There are some interactive displays that allow you to play some of the instruments. There are touch screen monitors at each display area that provide good information and some entertainment. I would suggest kids 7 and up would enjoy. Takes about an hour or more to soak it all in.
Carrie Norris
21:13 18 Jun 21
I was disappointed. My kids loved it. But 10 years ago was so much better. It put the history of music with the instruments
Brent C
02:41 12 Jun 21
The museum is back! Saw the member preview today and it is REALLY good! The format is completely changed from the "decades" model and is much more immersive with kiosks, demonstration stations with directional speakers instead of headphones, etc. An extremely pleasurable and deep new experience and even more to see and absorb than before. You'll need several visits to take it all in. Home run by the museum team and backers!
simon
02:54 11 Apr 21
Nice place to visit if you like to experience sounds and play with nice instruments. Also the hidden place to visit the flower fields without paying.
Susan S. McClellan
04:34 10 Apr 21
There's a lot more to this State Beach Park than you might think. Of course, there's a beautiful beach and the magnificent Pacific Ocean. They is also a lifeguard station, restrooms, concessions a playground area and even palapa umbrellas to make you feel you're on a tropical vacation. Aloha
Grace Shelley
20:51 16 Jun 20
The Museum of Making Music is a fabulous gem in Carlsbad: A world-class museum and concert series that is always pursuing excellence! From historical and contemporary interactive exhibits for families to a stellar concert series, it is not to miss!
Scott Sloat
19:52 16 Mar 20
Small, booths are interesting but if anyone is playing music can become a jumble of sounds because of small space. In time may grow and be able to be spread, or would recommend individual headphones to play music/information with closed circuit connection. Some good information.
Linda Kavanagh
00:00 26 Feb 20
Great venue. I held a meeting at The Museum of Making Music. The staff were flexible and very responsive. The conference room has a view looking out to the Pacific Ocean. I will definitely use this location again.
Joan Eisenberg
20:10 15 Feb 20
This is a small museum that is located on the first floor of the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) offices. The fee is reasonable, $10 for the general public, $7 seniors, students and active military, children under 3 are free. It follows the history of the musical instrument manufacturing industry from 1900 to today. There are displays and some interactive areas. We spent about 1 1/2 hours. It is an interesting place to spend some time if you get rained out of Legoland or Carlsbad in general.
Joyce Lok
02:12 25 Jan 20
My first time at the Museum of Making Music and it was worth the trip. It is a small museum, but with exceptional exhibits from different decades. My favorite parts were playing examples of music from the exhibits era, playing on the musical instruments, and learning about how American music has changed over time. It was really fun to make noise and the workers were really nice.
