Not a Quiet Room

In June, the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad closed its doors to remodel it’s galleries into an exploration of the history of American music and instrument-making from late 19th Century to present.

“We’ve been here about 12 years,” says executive director Carolyn Grant, “so we took all of people’s favorite things that we’ve noticed over the past decade and incorporated them into the museum. Those are mainly the interactive [elements], so each area showcases a breakthrough instrument — a mandolin, a drum pedal, a frying pan, a Telecaster — and all the little interactive experiences culminate in the final gallery with a whole room of musical instruments that people can play.”

The main station is called the Innovation Studio, which is made up of six smaller stations.

“If you already play, you can just jam with a backing track. And if you don’t play, there’s a tutorial. It throws you right into the deep end. Here’s an A chord, C, F, and then everyone can jam together. There’s a Moog, Kurzweil, Rolland, and an Accent Pancat, an electronic steel pan that you can program with all sorts of different sounds. But it’s not all technology. We have a Banjo, Martin guitar, percussion, and other instruments, so there’s really something for everybody. It’s...not a quiet room!”

The Museum of Making Music’s August 20 reopening will include live music in the lobby and musicians on hand to help guests with instruments. There will be a special rate of $5 per person through the end of the month. Kids 12 and under are free.