Ernesto Cavour was a famous performer of Bolivian music, particularly the charango, a type of guitar, but also an inveterate collector. His collection now resides in this museum. There is a room devoted to pre-Colombian instruments; one each for strings, pipes/horns, percussion; one for more modern instruments; one for recordings, playback equipment and sheet music; and one for dioramas of Bolivian dance and music-making. There are instruments you can play. I believe there are still Saturday night musical presentations. This is less a museum than an opportunity to embed yourself in Bolivian music.
the only museum open during the carnival , it was great, lots of things you could play ,and the show every saterday night is perfect, the artists are so skillful.
It's well laid out and explained over the years to see the different instruments used and where and what they made them out of originally.
Highly interesting .... did not quite know what a Charango was, until I visited this Museum! Also the display of Musical instruments from all over world was highly informative. What culture the old civilisations of Latin America gave to the world!Our visit was enhanced by a concert of music played on the ethnic Andean instruments. This 'put the cream' on our visit to La Paz!
If you're any sort of musician, it's a pleasant way to spend an hour. We visited on a rainy day, which made the experience rather cozy. Although it's small, it contains interesting and surprising pieces, like a steampunk guitar. Some instruments are even available to be played by visitors.
The Museum of Musical Instruments is one of the best museums in La Paz. The owner and mentor is Ernesto Cavour, a master musician and inventor of instruments himself. During many years he collected musical instruments from Bolivia, Latin America and other countries in the world, and started the museum in a colonial house at the emblematic Jaen Street in La Paz. Thousands of instruments of all kinds are in exhibition, some of them can be played by visitors. Often, in the evenings, concerts are offered by Cavour and other musicians. You wont regret visiting it. Many friends of Ernesto Cavour have contributed to the collection with instruments from Africa and Asia. You can take photos as you wish, staff are friendly and courteous.
The folkloric instruments are beautiful. It shows the instruments that are typical of Bolivia and Peru.
A paradise for musician. All instruments from Bolivia and other part of the world that have been use in Bolivia. A must for musician to see the part of local invention.Guitars flutes, very beautifull
This odd little museum in a colonial era house was our favorite in La Paz. There are lots of hands-on instruments for you to try. One "green" touch we appreciated was the way sensors turn the lights on when you enter a room. Saves power. The staff are friendly. The collections are impressive.
The number and variety of instruments is amazing. I gave some pictures to violin & guitar gurus and asked them how they would play these unusual versions of their instrument of expertise. I am still waiting for answers...