Musical Instrument Museum

Tired of tramping around bog-standard museums? Try the Phoenix Musical Instrument Museum on for size. Home to the largest global collection of musical instruments, this unique museum will entertain and inspire in equal measure. Spread across two floors, this bright and airy space is home to 15,000 musical instruments and artefacts. Ethnic, folk, tribal, contemporary, jazz, rock and pop are just some of the genres that are showcased in the many exhibits.Although this exceptional museum was only established in 2010, it has quickly garnered a reputation for its excellent galleries that equally represent the musical traditions of over 200 countries worldwide. The five Geographical Galleries focus on musical cultures from regions such as Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Europe. Treasures here include a nose flute from Taiwan and an Appalachian dulcimer.For an enriching experience, grab a pair of wireless headphones and explore at your leisure. As you meander through the galleries, the audio plays the instruments of each display you visit. There are also several screens scattered throughout the floors showing clips of the instruments being played. Marvel at the rhythm of a Japanese taiko drummer or see just how tricky it is to master a hurdy-gurdy.Children will have lots of fun in the Experience Gallery. This interactive exhibit encourages visitors to play a variety of musical instruments including Asian gongs, Andean panpipes and Burmese harps. Learn more about the history of global instruments from one of the informative workshops or take a peek through the Conservation Lab’s window to see how the museum cares for its collections.Channel your inner pop star at the Artist Gallery. Sit at the Steinway piano where John Lennon composed “Imagine” or admire one of Eric Clapton’s guitars. If you’re visiting in the evening, pop into the on-site MIM Music Theatre which shows a variety of musical films and performances. Whether you stumble upon this gem of a museum or have it firmly marked in your diary, you are in for a real treat.