Experience Gallery

Get hands-on with instruments from around the world!

A Place for Everyone to Make Music

Make music and memories in the interactive Experience
and Encore Galleries! Have fun playing instruments like the ones on display throughout the museum, such as bells and gongs from a Javanese gamelan ensemble, a West African djembe drum, a Peruvian harp, a theremin,
and many more.

Featured Exhibits

Prince

The centerpiece of MIM’s Prince exhibit is a custom-designed purple grand piano, which Prince played on his Jam of the Year Tour (1997–1998). Loan courtesy of The Estate of Prince Rogers Nelson and Paisley Park

Madonna

The Madonna exhibit features instruments the Queen of Pop played during the earliest days of her career, such as a drum set that she played in the band Breakfast Club.

Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley’s life, music, films, and historic encounters come to life through the King’s authentic instruments, stage outfits, jumpsuits, awards, and rare memorabilia on display. Loan courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. “Graceland”

Ravi Shankar

MIM’s Ravi Shankar exhibit highlights the 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, one of Shankar’s most iconic performances in the United States. Generously supported by Niranjan and Savita Chandragiri, Kurien and Prasanna Jacob, Maninder and Ramit Kahlon, Kalidas and Darlene Madhavpeddi, and Raghu and Sudha Sawkar Loan courtesy of Sukanya Shankar and The Ravi Shankar Foundation

Roberta Flack

MIM’s Roberta Flack exhibit showcases the Grammy-winning singer and musical icon’s 1922 Steinway piano and silk stage ensemble designed by Jackie Rogers.

The Wailers

Bob Marley and the Wailers have been reggae’s greatest world ambassador, and MIM’s exhibit dedicated to them features instruments played by the band’s drummer and bassist, brothers Carly and Aston “Family Man” Barrett.

Object Highlights

Elvis Presley’s Martin D-28 guitar

This Martin D-28 is the last guitar Presley used in his last concert performance on June 26, 1977. Loan courtesy of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. “Graceland”

Hal Blaine’s “Jan and Dean” drum set

The legendary Wrecking Crew leader played these drums with pioneering surf rock duo Jan and Dean, whose faces are featured on the drum heads. MIM Collection Gift of the Robert J. Ulrich and Diane Sillik Fund

Earl Scruggs’s 1928 Gibson RB-Granada banjo

This banjo is one of the most iconic bluegrass instruments imaginable, it was owned, played, and preserved in its original condition by Earl Scruggs, the world’s most famous and most influential banjo player. Scruggs carved his signature in several places on this banjo. MIM Collection Gift of the Robert J. Ulrich and Diane Sillik Fund

Wu Man’s personal pipa

Pipa virtuoso Wu Man, a founding member of the
world-famous Silkroad Ensemble, used this traditional Chinese plucked lute exclusively during her pioneering international performances in the 1990s. Loan courtesy of Wu Man

Tito Puente’s Deagan Aurora 1000 vibraphone

Tito Puente played this set of Deagan vibes from the early 1960s through the 1990s, and it appears on the cover of his 1964 album De Mí Para Ti (From Me to You). MIM Collection Gift in memory of Tito Puente by Margaret Puente

Open Daily 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Featured Experiences

Music PLUS History

Charlie Parr

Community College Month

Experience Gallery

A Place for Everyone to Make Music

Featured Exhibits

Object Highlights

Inside the Experience and Encore Galleries

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