Musical Instrument Museum

In case you missed it! 👀 Julian Lage performed “Seven Come Eleven” using Charlie Christian’s Gibson ES-250 during a performance at the MIM Music Theater in September. For many, this guitar symbolizes the dawn of the electric guitar solo. Christian played this instrument with Benny Goodman’s sextet on his way to earning legendary status as one of the most pivotal guitar players in history. Loan courtesy of Lynn Wheelwright. @jlage @musicradarofficial — “It doesn't get much better than seeing the maestro of contemporary jazz guitar playing an all-time Charlie Christian classic on the great man's Gibson arch-top.”—Music Radar

Your favorite songs are filled with science! Physicist Don Balanzat demonstrates resonance, the concept that every object in the universe vibrates at a specific frequency, using a Chladni plate in this special #STEM demonstration. Learn more about the connections between music and science at the link in our bio!

It’s Native American Heritage Month! Arizona instrument makers Anthony Belvado, a member of the San Carlos Apache Nation, and Alex Maldonado, a tribal member of the Pascua Yaqui Nation, demonstrate how they preserve and build upon their Native American musical heritage. Learn more about these centuries-old musical traditions in MIM’s United States / Canada Gallery. #MIMphx

Enjoy a spine-tingling thrill from this ghostly performance at MIM’s Music Theater. Happy Halloween! 👻

Exhibition closing next Sunday, October 16! See this Gibson F-5 “Loar” mandolin alongside more than 80 other musical treasures at MIM’s Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments exhibition, presented by U.S. Bank. Tickets at the link in our bio. — As a composer, bandleader, teacher, and record producer, David Grisman has become a master mandolinist over the course of his nearly 60-year career. The colorful parrot painted on the back makes this instrument visually unique, but this mandolin is also historically important as the earliest known from the first production batch of F-5 models. In this clip, Grisman shares a piece of music he wrote using the mandolin and the history behind the iconic instrument. #TreasuresatMIM Loan courtesy of David Grisman @daviddawggrisman

Create your very own spike lute at home! Spike lutes are stringed instruments, or chordophones, that have a long stick or spike running down the entire length of the instrument. Kids ages 6–10 can make more musical instruments and discover new cultures at MIM’s upcoming Musical Adventures classes on Oct. 8, Nov. 12 & Dec. 10! Link in bio. Presenting sponsor @pncbank

This exquisite instrument is so revered that it has a poetic name: "Zendegi," Persian for "life." Formerly owned by renowned Iranian musician and Silk Road Ensemble member Kayhan Kalhor, this historically important kamancheh is the most ornate of only seven examples known today made by Karam Khan, a highly celebrated eighteenth-century luthier. In this clip, Kayhan Kalhor performs "Aman Az In Del Keh Dad." #TreasuresatMIM — Take a closer look at this kamancheh and its stunning inlay patterns at our special exhibition Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments, presented by @USBank . Details and tickets at the link in our bio.

Follow along with curator of education Katie Palmer as she guides you through fun scarf activities that you can do at home with your little ones! These activities explore free movement, beat keeping, and shapes and colors. — Come sing, dance, and make more music together at Mini Music Makers classes, presented by @PNCBank ! 🎵 Link in bio. #MIMphx

Immerse yourself in JigJam’s unique blend of traditional Irish music, bluegrass, and Americana. Enjoy this performance of “The Mermaid” from their recent concert at the MIM Music Theater. @jigjamlive — Discover more global concerts coming to the MIM Music Theater, such as Yamma Ensemble on Sep. 25, Le Vent du Nord on Sep. 26, and Cimafunk on Sep. 27. Full lineup and tickets at the link in our bio. @yamma.ensemble @leventdunordquebec @cimafunk

This striking instrument from Emilius Scherr’s Philadelphia shop, made circa 1836, is one of fewer than 10 surviving examples of the first patented American guitar design—a rare and radical footnote from the era before many guitar features had become somewhat standardized. Scherr called this his “harp guitar,” not because it has extended harp strings, but because its distinctive body shape was inspired by the hollow and resonant sound box of a concert harp. In this clip, JIJI Kim performs Justin Holland’s “La Prima Donna Waltz.” #TreasuresatMIM @jiji_guitar — See Kim and other notable artists perform with historic instruments in video content throughout Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments, presented by @USBank . Purchase tickets and learn more about the exhibition at the link in our bio.

Let’s build a drum! Follow along with Katie Palmer, curator of education, and Maddox as they learn how to craft their very own goblet drum. MIM’s Musical Adventures program, presented by @PNCBank , introduces kids ages 6–10 to music and cultures from around the globe through making music, creating musical instruments, and exploring MIM’s exhibits. — Don’t miss our upcoming Musical Adventures class on Saturday, September 10! Tickets at the link in our bio.

Discover the electric guitar that started it all! MIM curator Rich Walter shares the story behind the electric guitar’s public debut on October 30, 1932. — Learn more about the remarkable instruments in our special exhibition Treasures: Legendary Musical Instruments, presented by U.S. Bank, during curator-led tours every other Thursday. Tickets and details at MIM.org