Sonic Playground at the GRAMMY Museum – A Musical Wonderland
Op-Ed Review - Gustavo Martir M.A.
Photo: Gustavo Martir
Los Angeles, CA , February 15th-(RYM)- The Sonic Playground, a new exhibit at the Grammy Museum, is a groundbreaking, interactive exhibit that transforms music-making into a hands-on adventure. It is designed to inspire a love for music without fear. Afterall, its motto—Play. Create. Collaborate.—perfectly captures the experience. Whether you’re a musician, a family looking for a creative outing, or if you are simply curious about the music industry, this exhibit is for you!
The Electric Forest serves as the heart of the exhibit, playing a mesmerizing 19-minute composition on loop. However, no two experiences are the same—each touch and movement alters the sounds, allowing visitors to shape the soundtrack in real time. So that no loop is the same. The Electric Forest uses infrared technology to create music with every touch. This fusion of science and music is perfect for families and newcomers alike, proving that you don’t have to be a musician to create something beautiful.
Beyond the Electric Forest, Sonic Playground offers multiple interactive stations catering to different musical aspirations. The Jam Room—curated by School of Rock—lets guests experiment with instruments in a band-like setting. “The Jam Room captures the thrill of playing in a band while providing instant guidance for improvement,” says School of Rock President Stacy Ryan. Indeed, every interaction at the Sonic Playground embodies this spirit of creating music without fear. It invites vulnerability. The rap booth allows visitors to freestyle over hip-hop beats, while the voice coaching station, led by GRAMMY-winning artist H.E.R., provides expert vocal training. It is such a fun exhibit to practice your singing voice away from a crowd, but with expert supervision. The voice acting booth, supervised by Gin Hammond, introduces visitors to an often-overlooked side of the industry, where they can record voiceovers for film trailers. A DJ set rounds out the experience, offering hands-on tutorials with a virtual DJ who guides visitors through the art of mixing tracks.
For those eager to take center stage, the Roland Stage provides a full performance setup, complete with theatrical lighting, guitars, a Roland RD Stage keyboard, an AX-EDGE keytar, and V-Drums percussion. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced musician, this space offers the thrill of performing live.
What sets Sonic Playground apart is its commitment to instilling a passion for music and collaboration. The GRAMMY Museum’s youth advisory board, led by extremely talented teenagers, helped shape the exhibit to ensure it speaks to young creatives. Yet, the exhibit is not just for kids. Whether you’re picking up an instrument for the first time or rediscovering a musical passion, Sonic Playground is a space where anyone can innovate with music without fear. So go check out this new, innovative, and exciting experience where you can unleash your passion for music!