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127th AES Convention Coverage (New York, NY Oct. 9-12)
PRESS RELEASE
Museum Exhibition — "ON! The Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation"
April 09, 2009
Advertisement Beginning April 24, 2009 through March 31, 2010, the Museum of Making Music in Carlsbad, California presents "ON! The Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation", a public special exhibition that presents rarely seen examples of early, electrified instruments built from 1900 to 1965. The exhibition includes iconic electric and electro-acoustic guitars, lesser-known electric instruments such as banjos, violins, basses, keyboards, amplifiers, and effects pedals and even unusual applications of electrification such as the electric zither. Today's musicians often rely on electricity to generate and control the sound of their instruments. However, this commonplace usage of electricity in modern music was unthinkable until relatively recently. While there were a few isolated experiments with electricity and sound prior to the 20th century, it wasn't until the early 1900s that a number of creative minds vigorously started working to harness electrical energy and apply it into musical instruments. Inspired by the advances in science and technology of the late 19th century, these innovators saw that electric sound production opened up vast array of new sonic possibilities. Ultimately, they set the stage for what was to come — the sounds of the twentieth century. The exhibition also includes a series of special events that showcase the sound and evolution of electrified musical instruments. These events include the exhibition opening reception on April 24 with instrument collector and expert Mr. Lynn Wheelwright and San Diego musicians, Robin Henkel, Steve Nichols, Steve Bernstein and DeForest Thornburgh (owner of the Blue Guitar); on June 13, luthier Rick Turner presents Harnessing the Lightning: Music Becomes Electric with musical guests Patti Maxine and Bill Walker; and on July 25, historian Roger Siminoff presents The Lore of Loar, an entertaining retrospective of Lloyd A. Loar, a prominent icon in the history of electrified instruments who is best-known for his work with Gibson and Vivitone. EXHIBITION SUMMARY Today's stringed instruments, soundboards, and organs often rely on electric energy and circuitry in the generation, control, and manipulation of electronic sounds and tones, and in the production of special effects. Such usage of electric power was unthinkable, however, until the end of the 19th century when innovators such as Thaddeus Cahill and Leon Theremin first thought to tame electric energy and transform electric currents into musical sounds. Their early example inspired many thinkers and musicians throughout the 20th century to experiment with the conversion of electrical energy into sound waves, as well as with increasing volume and achieving a sustained and pleasing tone. As a result of several major breakthroughs such as the development of electric pickups, sound amplifying systems, and the tone wheel, electric instruments gradually gained recognition and acceptance as reliable musical tools. They appeared at the center of fresh music styles and playing techniques, and came to everlasting prominence in rock and roll, jazz, and blues. ON! The Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation focuses on the period between 1900 and 1965 when innovative thinkers such as Thaddeus Cahill, Leon Theremin, Lloyd Loar, Adolph Rickenbacker, George Beauchamp, Laurens Hammond, Alvino Rey, Leo Fender, Les Paul, and Paul Bigsby, worked to harness electrical energy to produce sounds and tones in a variety of electric and electro-acoustic musical instruments. Inspired by the advances in science and technology of the late 19th century, these innovators could see that electric sound production opened up vast array of new sound possibilities which could easily combine with the traditions of counterpoint, harmony, and rhythm. Ultimately, through the work of these and many others, the world witnessed the birth of new sounds and tones. And musicians, in addition to gaining a new sound palette, also gained the tools to carefully control their volume, to define their own sound and tone, and to achieve their own musical voice. The exhibition presents rarely displayed examples of the firsts in electrified instruments. Of special note are numerous examples of iconic electric guitars showing a cornucopia of design ideas for electric pickups, volume and tone controls, bridges, tailpieces and tremolo arms, as well as instrument shapes and the incorporation of new materials. These electric and electro-acoustic guitars are displayed alongside other firsts, including an electric zither, banjos, violins, basses, keyboards, and amplifiers, thus demonstrating how the new technology was applied to many instrument families. In addition, the exhibition shows the development of electric pickup technology as well as the techniques for gaining control over sound and tone through amplification, recording, and special effects such as tremolo, reverb, and echo. By exploring the intersection of technology and music through the invention and diffusion of electric guitar, the exhibition shows how the desire to crank up the volume ultimately led to the creation of a new sound. EXHIBITION EVENTS FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009 at 7 PM: EXHIBITION OPENING RECEPTION The Museum of Making Music presents the opening of ON! with special guest Mr. Lynn Wheelwright, private collector and an expert on early pickup technology. During the reception, Wheelwright will lead a discussion in the museum galleries and will answer questions about the many vintage instruments from his personal collection that will be on display. FRIDAY, APRIL 24, 2009 at 8 PM: THE ELECTRIC EFFECT CONCERT Following the reception, The Electric Effect concert — presented by The Blue Guitar — will feature San Diego-based concert artists Robin Henkel, Steve Nichols, Steve Bernstein, and DeForest Thornburgh (owner of The Blue Guitar). Discover the history of electronic sounds and tones as these artists discuss and demonstrate the use of electric effects in a variety of blues, swing and rock'n'roll music spanning the 1920s, Œ30s, Œ40s, Œ50s and Œ60s. With the use of period guitars, amplifiers, and effects pedals, this program will bring to life the songs once performed by Leon McAuliffe, Muddy Waters, Bo Diddley, and others. Tickets are $25; $20 for members. SATURDAY, APRIL 25, 2009 at 2:30 PM: ON! GEARHEAD TOUR The Museum of Making Music welcomes Mr. Lynn Wheelwright, private collector and an expert on early pickup technology, for a special tour designed just for music equipment enthusiasts (a.k.a. "gearheads"). If you know your "chickenheads" from your "butterbeans" then this tour is for you. Admission is $7 for adults; $5 for students, seniors and active military and free for museum members. SATURDAY, JUNE 13, 2009 at 7 PM: HARNESSING LIGHTNING The Museum will host a special Concert & Conversation featuring Rick Turner, who will explore the history of electric tone production and sound generation. Turner will focus on the inventiveness of the Industrial Revolution and its impact on the electrification of music. Throughout the discussion, Patti Maxine and Bill Walker will perform a repertoire of tunes that highlight the transition from acoustic sound to electrified music. Tickets are $20; $15 for members. SATRUDAY, JULY 25, 2009 at 2 PM: THE LORE OF LOAR Historian Roger Siminoff presents The Lore of Loar, a look at the life and work of Lloyd A. Loar, a prominent musician and acoustical engineer who pioneered the development of musical instruments in the early 1900s. Siminoff will detail Mr. Loar's accomplishments, particularly, the invention of several systems for electrical amplification of string and keyboard instruments, piano-key actions, and the implementation of tap tuning in acoustical string instruments. Tickets are $10; free for members. ??ON! The Beginnings of the Electric Sound Generation will be on display at the Museum of Making Music for a limited time at 5790 Armada Drive in Carlsbad. General admission to the museum is $7; $5 for students, seniors and active military. Children age 5 and under receive free admission. Curators Combo (tickets to all three events — does not include GearHead tour): $50; $30 for members. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, 10 AM — 5 PM and is closed Mondays.   (Click for close-up)Recent Museum of Making Music headlines
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