MIM is local treasure

We have a local treasure, a world-class museum of instruments old and new, right here in the Phoenix area.  The galleries of the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) are an amazing and rare resource for anyone who lives here or wishes to visit. 

When my wife and I visited, we expected to stay at the most an hour or so.  Four hours later, we finally tore ourselves away. 

I particularly loved the blending of old and new--the old instruments from across the globe and the new technology that enabled us to hear the sound of each instrument as we approached each exhibit.  The exhibits, arranged geographically, featured the sound of instruments and the styles of music from every corner of the globe: Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Oceania, Latin America, Europe, and the United States and Canada.  Having a doctorate in piano, I already knew a lot about the sound of Western music; not so much other parts of the world.  So, the hours we spent in the geographic exhibits were particularly enlightening for my wife and me. 

Even for my readers from out of town and out of state, on the next visit to the Phoenix area I highly recommend budgeting several hours to experience the amazing Musical Instrument Museum.