The Museum of Making Music tells a story.

The permanent exhibits at the Museum of Making Music place instruments center stage to explore a story of music making from the 1890s to today.  Using examples of Popular Music as entry points, the museum explores how and why instruments develop—who makes them, how we gain access to them, and what they sound like in the hands of masters.

You can explore the themes of the museum here on our website.  Come to museum to learn more, see the actual instruments and play some for yourself!

• Popular Music
  The genres and tunes that defined each era from 1900 to today.
• Musical Instrument Innovations
  Key advances in musical instruments.
• Manufacturing
  The ever-evolving world of instrument manufacturing.
• Distribution
  How instruments, accessories and products made their way to stores and consumers.
• Marketing
  The many ways in which businesses communicate with the public.
• Music Retail
  A look at the music stores, shops and individuals who brought us our musical instruments.
• NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants
  The role of the 111-year-old trade association in supporting and promoting the music products industry.