Musical Instrument Museum is the first ever global museum of musical instruments: Now open in Phoenix

The Museum opened April 24, 2010 and showcases cultures from around the globe with more than 12,000 instruments from nearly every country in the world.

Transport to another land with wireless headsets and LCD video displays depicting the sounds and sights of the instruments and the people who use them. See the recreation of a gong workshop, listen to the sounds of the traditional Beijing Opera or experience a contemporary Ukrainian wedding procession.

If pop culture is more your thing, head to the Musical Instrument Museum's Artist Gallery, which houses instruments from famous musicians throughout time including John Lennon, Paul Simon, the Black Eyed Peas and the Jonas Brothers.

After enjoying a worldly concert, try out your own musical abilities in MIM's Experience Gallery, where you can play instruments such as guitars, gongs and drums.

The Museum also will host concerts in its 299-seat performance hall. May concerts include guitarist William Eaton and Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai

Guests will be given wireless headsets to wear throughout the museum. As they approach different displays they will hear the instruments being played, either solo or as an ensemble. Photographs and video will familiarize guests with the unique sounds of each musical culture, allowing them to share a common experience. Special display areas and exhibitions will emphasize interactivity and personal selection.

Signs with information about the instruments, along with maps for orientation, will allow guests to tour the 300 to 350 displays through each country of the world.

The collection will include instruments from nearly 200 countries and territories in the world. Some larger countries such as India, China, Russia, the United States, Congo, and others will have multiple displays with subsections for different types of ethnic, folk, and tribal music. The instruments will have both historic and artistic merit and many will be more than 50 years old.