Museum of Music Making... WOW

After a delicious lunch in Carlsbad Village, we made our way to our second amazing museum, based on the history of musical instruments. I've heard about MoMM and have been meaning to go for years. This rainy day was the perfect opportunity to visit for the first time.

The Museum celebrates the music products industry’s rich history from 1900 to today. Through unique exhibitions, vibrant and varied live music performances, and innovative educational programs, the Museum shares the accomplishments and impact of the people who make, sell, and use musical instruments and products.

The emphasis here is the making, selling, and using of musical instruments, products, and equipment: that’s the essence of the music products industry and the heart of the story they present at the Museum of Making Music. "It’s a story you’ll find educational and entertaining... and a story that will ignite—or maybe reignite—your own connection to music and music making."

"Instruments take center stage at the Museum of Making Music! The core exhibitions explore how and why these instruments develop—who makes them, how we gain access to them, what they sound like in the hands of masters, and how they feel in your own hands!"

For instance, if you ever wanted to discover the history of cymbals, you will learn all you'd want to know here.

I was surprised by this player harmonica. Wild.

We were surprised by this military green piano. During World War II, STEINWAY AND SONS (whose grandson was the founder of this museum) produced specially-built pianos for the American troops. Called the Victory Vertical or G.I. Steinways, the pianos were sometimes airdropped onto battlefields to provide a bit of relaxation.

I was very excited by the current exhibit of Accordions: Expanding Voices in the USA.

Just over 60 years ago, accordions were at the forefront of our musical landscape. With annual sales topping a quarter of a million instruments, they were seen and heard on stages, in stores, and in classrooms across the country. But musical tastes shifted dramatically by the end of the 1950s, and, within 10 years of this incredible high, accordion sales and interest plummeted almost to the point of disappearing. Today, accordions and accordionists are making their voices heard again!

Even Ginger Rogers played this unique instrument.

This special exhibition allowed us to take a close look and listen at the current state of the accordion across the country. It highlighted stories and recordings from some of the players pushing it forward. We even had the opportunity to find out where the accordion could be headed next and we each got to play one for ourselves.