Clicky

Museum of Making Music

Museum of Making Music Discover connections between people, instruments and the music we make.

The Museum of Making Music explores the multifaceted history of the American music products industry from its beginnings in the 1890s to today and presents a variety of events, educational programs and special exhibitions. It explores the connections between the people (those who envision, design, make, distribute, sell and play musical instruments), the instruments themselves and the ultimate result of the music we all make.

Operating as usual

We're so incredibly proud of our New Horizons Band musicians! They performed for an enthusiastic audience this past Satu...
12/07/2022

We're so incredibly proud of our New Horizons Band musicians! They performed for an enthusiastic audience this past Saturday, December 3. Never has there been a more joyful performance as it was played together indoors for the first time in three years. It's been amazing watching their growth throughout the years. Some members have been with the band for 20 years!

Saturday's Prebys Performance Series concert was a mesmerizing musical escapade featuring the brilliance of Karl Denson ...
11/22/2022

Saturday's Prebys Performance Series concert was a mesmerizing musical escapade featuring the brilliance of Karl Denson and his band of amazing and talented artists!

🎹 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 @ 7 PM - Imagine a piano keyboard that has no beginning, middle, or end! Did you picture a long ...
11/16/2022

🎹 SATURDAY, DECEMBER 17 @ 7 PM - Imagine a piano keyboard that has no beginning, middle, or end! Did you picture a long row of keys stretching beyond the horizon, or something else?

Join Lady Gaga's touring keyboardist Brockett Parsons and special guest Danny Asadi as they present a concert and conversation that showcases the unique abilities of the PianoArc, a circular keyboard that surrounds the artist and provides nearly limitless performance possibilities!

We are mourning the passing of gifted musician and brilliant innovator Don Lewis.From an early age, Don dreamed of condu...
11/08/2022

We are mourning the passing of gifted musician and brilliant innovator Don Lewis.

From an early age, Don dreamed of conducting an orchestra with its huge range of sounds and nearly limitless combinations. He learned to play the organ through his church, while at the same time learning about electronics and engineering at school. His love for engineering led him to train as a nuclear weapons specialist in the U.S. Air Force and a job at Honeywell, after which he worked for a Hammond Organ Company dealer.

Don remained driven by his dream of conducting an orchestra and felt that even cutting-edge instruments couldn’t create the music he wanted to play. He began experimenting with modifying commercial rhythm units like the Ace Tone FR-2L Rhythm Ace and exploring ways to integrate more instruments into his performance setup. Ikutaro Kakehashi, the inventor of the FR-2L, experienced Don’s work in action in 1969, and the two became lifelong friends. In 1972, Kakehashi founded Roland Corporation and Don was frequently consulted for the development of new products, including Roland’s CR-78 and now-iconic TR-808.

Don continued to experiment and pursue his dream. His work led to LEO, the Live Electronic Orchestra. This incredible instrument combines four Oberheim Synthesizer Expander Modules, two ARP 2600s, a Roland Jupiter, a FR-7L Rhythm Ace (later replaced by a Roland TR-808), and more, all controlled by a console built with components from Hammond Concorde and X-66 organs, an ARP Pro Soloist, a Pascetta polyphonic keyboard, and a custom expression pedal controlling eight separate audio tracks.

Kakehashi saw Don performing with LEO in 1979 and was blown away by Don’s musicianship, his engineering prowess, and the incredible obstacles he’d overcome to make LEO’s components work together. Kakehashi knew that there had to be a better way to connect these instruments together and, in 1981, he began reaching out to industry leaders, notably Dave Smith of Sequential Circuits, to discuss an industry-wide standard that would eventually become MIDI, the Musical Instrument Digital Interface.

In 2001, LEO found a home at the NAMM Museum of Making Music. Don would occasionally visit for regular LEO “check-ups” that would evolve into storytelling sessions and impromptu musical performances for volunteers, guests, and school groups. Don’s warmth and radiant positivity made each experience memorable. We’re honored to be able to share his legacy with everyone who passes through our doors.

🎷 Join us for an evening of music with renowned singer, saxophonist, and bandleader Karl Denson on Saturday, November 19...
10/20/2022

🎷 Join us for an evening of music with renowned singer, saxophonist, and bandleader Karl Denson on Saturday, November 19!

Denson is a founding member of seminal funk band The Greyboy Allstars, leads Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe, and is the touring saxophonist with The Rolling Stones. For this event, he will captivate attendees with a very special trio of musicians.

📣 Kids Free in October returns! Kids age 12 & under  receive free admission—with any paid adult admission—to the Museum ...
10/04/2022

📣 Kids Free in October returns! Kids age 12 & under receive free admission—with any paid adult admission—to the Museum of Making Music and over 50 other museums in San Diego

Download the coupon online!
https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events/kidsfree

Say hello to the Museum of Making Music 2022-2023 volunteers! We welcomed 24 new faces into our volunteer family at a ve...
09/29/2022

Say hello to the Museum of Making Music 2022-2023 volunteers! We welcomed 24 new faces into our volunteer family at a very special commencement meeting yesterday! This photo includes those who have been with us as recently as 12 weeks to more than 22 years! Congratulations to all of you and thank you for all you give to the museum and to our community!

🎵 October 15: Join us for an evening of music with the 'ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam-rock band Kanekoa. This concert is ...
09/28/2022

🎵 October 15: Join us for an evening of music with the 'ukulele-powered Hawaiian jam-rock band Kanekoa. This concert is part of The Prebys Performance Series. For tickets, call (760) 304-5844 or visit: https://bit.ly/kanekoa-101522

🎨 ArtWalk Carlsbad returns to Armada Drive this weekend! Our friends at ArtWalk are bringing the 2-day arts festival bac...
09/20/2022

🎨 ArtWalk Carlsbad returns to Armada Drive this weekend! Our friends at ArtWalk are bringing the 2-day arts festival back to our street this Saturday & Sunday.

This year's ArtWalk Carlsbad is FREE to attend! Additionally, we are offering half-price admission to the Museum of Making Music during ArtWalk Carlsbad!

For information, please visit: https://artwalksandiego.org/carlsbad/

Art + Music = Fun!

The Museum of Making Music is proud to announce Helena Armandula as our NCPC Volunteer of the Year! Visit the museum on ...
09/13/2022

The Museum of Making Music is proud to announce Helena Armandula as our NCPC Volunteer of the Year! Visit the museum on a Friday morning and you will be rewarded with Helena's welcome smile and the infectious laugh. She keeps us in line with her sharp wit and extreme intelligence, and we couldn't be luckier to have such a dedicated volunteer. Congratulations, Helena, we're so proud of you and appreciate all you do to help us succeed!

🎉 Enjoy Free Admission on Smithsonian Museum Day! - Smithsonian Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosi...
09/13/2022

🎉 Enjoy Free Admission on Smithsonian Museum Day! - Smithsonian Museum Day is an annual celebration of boundless curiosity hosted by Smithsonian Magazine. Participating museums and cultural institutions across the country are providing FREE admission to anyone presenting a Museum Day ticket.

Register for your free Museum Day ticket online from Smithsonian Magazine: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/museumday/search/?q=Museum%20of%20Making%20Music&

In addition to what our visitors have shared about the good of music, we've collected inspirational insights and some em...
09/09/2022

In addition to what our visitors have shared about the good of music, we've collected inspirational insights and some empirical stats about what music can accomplish! Former U.S. President Gerald Ford stated, "Music education opens doors that help children pass from school into the world around them—a world of work, culture, intellectual activity, and human involvement. The future of our nation depends on providing our children with a complete education that includes music."

🎵 There is so much to do and see at the Museum of Making Music this September! Visit https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org...
08/31/2022

🎵 There is so much to do and see at the Museum of Making Music this September! Visit https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events to learn more about our upcoming concert with Deke Dickerson, free community events like Smithsonian Museum Day and ArtWalk Carlsbad, and our North Coast Strings educational program!

What good is music for the world? Out of the hundreds of submissions we've received from guests, here are a few of our f...
08/26/2022

What good is music for the world? Out of the hundreds of submissions we've received from guests, here are a few of our favorites! There were so many wonderful responses to choose from! What would yours be?

08/19/2022

Since June, thousands of guests have visited and shared their thoughts about the good of music in their lives. If you haven't already, we invite you to stop by the Museum of Making Music and discover the "What Good is Music?" special exhibition and share your own experiences about the good of music.

Wow! We're so excited to be on the Thrillist "Best Museums to Visit in San Diego" list!
08/17/2022
The Best Museums to Visit in San Diego

Wow! We're so excited to be on the Thrillist "Best Museums to Visit in San Diego" list!

From the numerous options in Balboa Park to the newly opened Comic-Con Museum and more, here’s where to get your art fix in America’s Finest City.

A group of classic car enthusiasts arrived for their group tour at the Museum of Making Music this past Saturday and tur...
08/09/2022

A group of classic car enthusiasts arrived for their group tour at the Museum of Making Music this past Saturday and turned our parking lot into an amazing outdoor exhibit!

HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA! Prince Adam knows all about the good of music. Thank you to whomever drew this for the "What Good ...
08/05/2022

HEYYEYAAEYAAAEYAEYAA! Prince Adam knows all about the good of music. Thank you to whomever drew this for the "What Good Is Music?" special exhibition. It made our day.

Join us for an evening of music with songwriter and guitarist Marc Ford on August 20 at 7PM! Tickets: https://bit.ly/mar...
08/02/2022

Join us for an evening of music with songwriter and guitarist Marc Ford on August 20 at 7PM! Tickets: https://bit.ly/marcford-82022

Marc ranks as one of the world’s preeminent guitarists, and his songcraft commands the utmost respect. He has performed and recorded with Black Crowes from 1991 through their zenith, Izzy Stradlin, Gov’t Mule, The Jayhawks, The Original Harmony Ridge Creekdippers, Federale, Widespread Panic, Blue Floyd, Booker T. Jones, Ivan Neville, and Mike Campbell.

What good is music for the world?Music can be an incredible force for good in the world. It can propel social movements,...
07/29/2022

What good is music for the world?

Music can be an incredible force for good in the world. It can propel social movements, change political processes, grab our collective attention, and even just make us feel better and closer to each other. How else can music be good for the world?

If you could write (or draw!) your thoughts on how thoughts on how music can do good in the world, what would you share?

🎶 How does one revolutionize the accordion? Find out on Thursday, July 28 at the Museum of Making Music with world champ...
07/23/2022

🎶 How does one revolutionize the accordion? Find out on Thursday, July 28 at the Museum of Making Music with world champion accordionist Cory "CPez" Pesaturo. Order tickets online: https://bit.ly/cpez-07-28-22

Cory is fluent in improvisational and traditional styles on acoustic and digital accordion, and has been pushing the performance envelope on what is possible on the instrument.

What good is music for us?Music is good for us in myriad ways. One of its most potent abilities is connecting us. No mat...
07/22/2022

What good is music for us?

Music is good for us in myriad ways. One of its most potent abilities is connecting us. No matter how we participate in music, and no matter who we’re participating with, music can connect us with an endless array of activities, feelings, places, times, and more! What does music connect you with?

If you could tie a string that connects you with someone (friends, family, or others) through playing or listening to music, where would your path lead? How would it connect you? Through your community, health, faith, heritage, or something else?

We had so much fun this past Sunday with our very own "Grammie" Jane at Musical Story Time!
07/19/2022

We had so much fun this past Sunday with our very own "Grammie" Jane at Musical Story Time!

We're always grateful when families share their experiences playing on the hands-on instruments! I wonder which was thei...
07/17/2022

We're always grateful when families share their experiences playing on the hands-on instruments! I wonder which was their favorite instrument to play?

07/16/2022

We were treated to an impromptu organ jam by Dukes, an amazing San Diego musician! We're so lucky to be part of this community of talented and passionate musicians, and we love being able to provide a space where artists can share their music.

What good is music for ME? Music can do good in your daily life. No matter how you participate in music making—listening...
07/15/2022

What good is music for ME?

Music can do good in your daily life. No matter how you participate in music making—listening to it, playing it, writing it, and more—it might help you wake up, fall asleep, get excited, or calm down. Maybe you move with it, feel with it, learn with it, or speak with it. There are countless ways for music to be good for you! What good does music do in your life?

Consider how YOU use music. Is it to relax, study, dance, release, connect, or play? If you could place a ball into one of these buckets, where would it land?

We encourage you to discover an art exhibition, "A Product of My Environment," by local artist ! Scrojo is a talented vi...
07/14/2022

We encourage you to discover an art exhibition, "A Product of My Environment," by local artist ! Scrojo is a talented visual artist who has designed many music posters for local performances in San Diego. He even created a number of beautifully illustrated posters for some of our benefit concerts! If you love live music and illustration, take time to explore this exhibition.

WHAT:
"A Product of My Environment"
Solo art exhibition by Scrojo
On display through August 29

WHERE:
Encinitas Library
540 Cornish Drive
Encinitas, CA 92024

ARTIST RECEPTION:
Saturday, July 23, 5:30-8:30pm
Performance by Nena Anderson
Refreshments by Pannikin
Free to the public! (ages 13+ recommended)

We're excited to share this concert opportunity with you! Our friends, the California Guitar Trio, are performing this S...
07/12/2022

We're excited to share this concert opportunity with you! Our friends, the California Guitar Trio, are performing this Saturday at The Ritz Theater - Escondido. We've hosted CGT many times at the Museum of Making Music in the past and they alway put on a wonderful concert!

Tickets are $20-$40 and can be purchased from The Ritz Theater at (760) 309-7609 or online at: https://www.showpass.com/the-california-guitar-trio/

07/07/2022
What Good is Music for Us?

Music helps connect us and create community. Here's one thread that a visitor shared that connects them with their family through music. How do YOU connect to others through music? You're invited to contribute and explore the special exhibition now on display at the Museum!

Don't miss World Champion Accordionist Cory Pesaturo in concert at the Museum of Making Music on Thursday, July 28!  Cor...
07/05/2022

Don't miss World Champion Accordionist Cory Pesaturo in concert at the Museum of Making Music on Thursday, July 28! Cory is fluent in improvisational and traditional styles on acoustic and digital accordion alike and is revolutionizing the instrument!

For tickets, call (760) 304-5844 or order online:
https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/events/cory-pesaturo

06/26/2022
San Diego Sound Project: Daring Greatly

San Diego Sound Project: Daring Greatly

Formed in the sunny eastern foothills of Canada's Rocky Mountains, Daring Greatly combines their harmony-rich, rock n' roll with U.S Folk, Americana traditions from the '60s and '70s.

The San Diego Sound Project

This live music series highlights emerging artists in the San Diego region. It is supported by an advisory committee that includes GRAMMY Award-winning producer and UCSD faculty member Kamau Kenyatta, CSUSM Professor and Center ARTES Executive Director Dr. Merryl Goldberg, Grossmont College Music Department Chair Derek Cannon, Emmy Award-winning composer and MiraCosta College faculty member Christy Coobatis, and Connections Chamber Music Series Co-Founder Bridget Dolkas.

Each concert in the series will be presented both in person at the Museum of Making Music and online as a FREE live stream.

Special Thanks

The San Diego Sound Project was made possible in part by a major grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation.

The Museum's live stream capabilities were enhanced thanks to a grant from the City of Carlsbad's Cultural Arts Office.

We are officially sold out for our concert with Daring Greatly!
06/23/2022

We are officially sold out for our concert with Daring Greatly!

🎸 This Saturday, June 25: Daring Greatly performs at the Museum of Making Music! Catch them locally before they embark o...
06/22/2022

🎸 This Saturday, June 25: Daring Greatly performs at the Museum of Making Music! Catch them locally before they embark on their summer tour of Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Reserve your tickets online: https://bit.ly/DGTix-6-25-22

Come celebrate  with us and get a first look at our newest exhibition: What Good is Music? Chances are you’ve got some i...
06/21/2022

Come celebrate with us and get a first look at our newest exhibition: What Good is Music? Chances are you’ve got some ideas about what “good music” is. But what about the good of music? What is music good for? What good does music do? What good is it for you, for us, and for the world? We invite you to consider these questions and to join us in a conversation about the good of music!

Today’s the day! We’re celebrating Make Music Day along with the rest of the world — click here to learn more (and come ...
06/21/2022

Today’s the day! We’re celebrating Make Music Day along with the rest of the world — click here to learn more (and come see our new exhibition opening today, more to come on that here soon!) https://www.museumofmakingmusic.org/. See you later!

06/18/2022
The San Diego Sound Project: Mariela Contreras

The San Diego Sound Project: Mariela Contreras

Mariela Contreras’ love for poetry and natural ability to write music allows her to capture her life experience through song. Her intimate melodies and lyrics are inspired by love, nature, and the complicated relationship between the heart and mind.

In this performance, Mariela will be joined by arranger, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Tonga Ross Ma’u. Together they will debut music she wrote during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The San Diego Sound Project

This live music series highlights emerging artists in the San Diego region. It is supported by an advisory committee that includes GRAMMY Award-winning producer and UCSD faculty member Kamau Kenyatta, CSUSM Professor and Center ARTES Executive Director Dr. Merryl Goldberg, Grossmont College Music Department Chair Derek Cannon, Emmy Award-winning composer and MiraCosta College faculty member Christy Coobatis, and Connections Chamber Music Series Co-Founder Bridget Dolkas.

Each concert in the series will be presented both in person at the Museum of Making Music and online as a FREE live stream.

Special Thanks

The San Diego Sound Project was made possible in part by a major grant from The Conrad Prebys Foundation.

The Museum's live stream capabilities were enhanced thanks to a grant from the City of Carlsbad's Cultural Arts Office.

Address

5790 Armada Drive
Carlsbad, CA
92008

Opening Hours

Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+17604385996

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Museum of Making Music posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Museum of Making Music:

Videos

Category


Comments

- THE FALLING DOVES 2021 LIVE VIRTUAL CONCERT - SOON WE WILL BE BACK TO ROCK YOUR STAGE !!
https://www.facebook.com/505411434/videos/10159546740931435/
KBKNB
Thank you for your service to our community. Your group is now featured on our directory of service organizations in Carlsbad. http://knightsofbuenacreek.org/carlsbad/
Try Sjim
'Nazade Jana teren
Enjoy a LIVE FB event from The House Concert European Hub... bringing you Colin Clyne from Aberdeen Scotland !!

As a former performer with Museum of Making Music & a San Diego Music Awards 2x Best Acoustic Artist....he's bloody good!

Enjoy!!!

https://www.facebook.com/eurohouseconcert/videos/245169593189971/
A DRAGS CD
A big thank you to Museum of Making Music for supporting the recent fundraiser for Assistance League of Greater San Diego. Your donation to our silent auction helped make our event a wonderful success.
It's an informative and sometimes hands on trip through the history of music and the music industry in the US since about 1900.
What w great place! Enjoyed the film Keep on Keepin' On and the music by Justin Kauflin. Incredible! Take time to visit the Museum and become a member! ☺️
I just visited the website and didn't see tickets available for Raul Midon in June. When will they be available?
x

Other Museums in Carlsbad (show all)

Legoland California Marron-Hayes Adobes Historic District Miniature Engineering Craftsmanship Museum - MECM Jardín Botánico de San Diego Quail Botanical Gardens San Luis Rey Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum Short Track Railroad N Scale Club West Coast Clock And Watch Museum Early American Del Mar Historical Society