Best of 2003: Best Access To Relics Of Our Musical Past

Museum of Making Music
5790 Armada Drive, Carlsbad
www.museumofmakingmusic.org
760-438-5996

The Museum of Making Music displays instruments, artifacts, and historical records documenting the evolution of music-making devices. Instruments once owned by celebrities are popular tour highlights. A 1968 Streetly Electronic Mellotron (a synthesizer-like instrument -- each key sets a tape loop in motion, playing back whatever was recorded) that was once owned by the Carpenters was recently acquired. There's also a 1927 RCA Theremin -- known as the first electronic instrument. Considered by many as the forerunner to the synthesizer, its spacey sounds were first heard by mainstream audiences in the sci-fi film Forbidden Planet. Activities such as drum clinics and musical performances are also held in the museum. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free.