Playback - Spring 2009 - (Page 29) Museum Moment “ON!” The Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation thIS MoNth thE MuSEuM oF MAkING MuSIC LAuNChES “oN!”, A NEW ExhIBIt ExPLoRING thE EFFECtS oF ELECtRICIty IN SouND AND MuSIC MAkING. It’s hard now to imagine a time before electricity. Today it affects every aspect of our daily lives, from washing clothes to directing traffic. Yet it’s been a scant 80 years since electricity wound its way into music. The first commercially viable electric instruments, including guitars, violins, banjos and basses, were introduced in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Although it took a while to catch on, this new technology—this new sound— opened an entirely new line of sales, creating a bright spot for both manufacturers and retailers during the tumultuous early years of the Great Depression. Amplifying stringed instruments for the purpose of being heard in band settings was the main impetus for inventors. But a secondary cause, the manipulation of sound and the shaping of tone, soon joined amplification and opened up new possibilities for music makers. “ON!” tells the story of how early industry manufacturers—the innovators of sound and instrument technology—gave people a new way to create and listen to music. The exhibit features early electrified instruments from some of the world’s great collections. Visit the Museum of Making Music or join its growing global online community (www.museumofmakingmusic.org) to learn more about the roots of electric sound and gain a greater understanding of the technology and innovation behind the music. “In this project, the museum reveals the vision, challenges and ultimate triumph of the electronic revolution—which burgeoned throughout the boom of the ’20s as well as the heavily turbulent times and difficult market conditions of the ’30s and ’40s,” says Carolyn Grant, the museum’s executive director. “Re-examining past MI successes is what the Museum of Making Music is all about. With this exhibition and related programming, the NAMM Member—as well as the general public and global Internet audiences—are engaged in the music products industry story in a way that is relevant to today’s environment. The museum promotes music making through this type of educational experience.” Featured left: Ro-Pat-In Electro Hawaiian Guitar, SN 30, 1932. Belonged to Alvino Rey from the Collection of Lynn Wheelwright Rally Your Community for Music Education WhEN tIMES ARE touGh, MuSIC EDuCAtIoN IS oFtEN thE ItEM Cut FRoM thE BuDGEt. DGEt. you CAN hELP SuPPoRt thE ARtS IN youR CoMMuNIty WIth thESE FREE SuPPoRt MuSIC FLIERS. This spring, many school districts are going to have to make some tough decisions about where they can—and cannot—cut their budgets. That’s why it’s more important than ever for NAMM Members to rally their communities to keep music education a priority in the schools. NAMM has FREE color fliers that outline ways for concerned advocates of the arts to let their voices be heard TODAY. This is a great way to support your customers—whose children’s education may be directly impacted—and build relationships with music educators and families in your community at the same time. Simply contact us at info@namm.org to request copies of the flier or download them directly at www.supportmusic.com, then pass them out in your place of business, at concerts, parent meetings and at any community event involving the arts. SPRING 2009 29 http://www.museumofmakingmusic.org http://www.supportmusic.com
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