Penang House of Music — Attraction in George Town

Super dope joint! I really wish every Penangite could see this place and get an idea of their home’s unique potential for creative generation. If you know the foundation your home sits on, you know to what heights you could build it. Deposit your kids here for an air-conditioned hour, bring your date to show off how cultured you are, bring amah and ahkong so they can dwell in nostalgia for a while.

I pulled up on my own after a friend bailed and ended up getting a superb one-one-one tour from Elaine. It was informative, absorbing, and just a straight up good time banging away on instruments and hearing about the shenanigans at New World Park in the good ‘ole days (not just hawkers, lemme tell you … go find out for yourself what was going on ;). I’m always hearing about the bygone days of a more harmonious, multicultural Penang from my older relatives and this is the first time I felt I got a glimpse of what they mean by that. I’m sure it wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was still cool to learn that over a century ago musicians were coming to Pulau Pinang, from different races and various corners of the world, all in service of making hard bops.

Sadly, the museum is having funding issues and might have to close soon. Would hate to see it falling prey to the creeping corporatization of the city and getting converted into another plain-Jane office or shop, burying Penang’s rich history under the carnage of American or Korean pop… If the city of Penang and her people wants to take its role as preserver of cultural heritage seriously they should turn their energy, attention, and resources here ASAP. It can’t rely on the occasional foreign tourist to stay alive...

Visited in December 2018, on Wednesday around midday. The museum located on the 5th floor ICT Digimall. Took a bit effort (and faith) to find, especially with no sign outside. 20RM for entry. Elaine the guide welcomed me warmly. Didn't matter that I was solo visitor, she had spent more than 2 hours explaining each delightful details and curious trivias passionately. Not only songs and instruments, but also the other side of culture such as festivals, costumes, even a complete puppets stage! Last stop was a radio broadcasting studio, where you can experience being a radio DJ, and make record of your voice to bring home!

Vast array of wonderful collections, even at some points we were encouraged to have a try and experience it first hand. The arrangement was very strategically interesting; vintage collections and modern tech were equally displayed, enticing curiosity in every glance. Too bad space were rather cramped for all those marvellous display; I've no complain, but it'd rather hard to accomodate large group of people.

Family friendly, many activities kids might enjoy. Taking pictures and video are allowed. And you can take shorter, less detailed tour; just inform the guide what you prefer. But for those who loves music and culture, I do recommend taking the full tour as I did, and had one of the best museum visit I ever had.

Pics : Potehi/puppet stage. Visitors are allowed to play with the hand puppets A music instrument, albeit a very simple one, only long stick tied to a rope grounded into a hollow box, made sound like plucked bass. At first I thought it was some part of museum maintenance. Elaine the guide modelled...

Summary: A criminally underated attraction that showcases the evolution of music in Penang. The entrance fees is really low at RM20 for a Malaysian adult for the history preserved inside, added bonus on the tour guide the place offer for visitor to appreciate local art much more. It is a gem worth visiting for all locals and foreigners, hopefully preserved for the future to come.

Long story: The house of music, with the price of RM20 for adult Malaysian, will be given a guided tour, will know:

1. The varieties of music and plays from different races
2. The history of music from the Japanese colonism to Malayan emergency in 1948
3. The local stars of music, including P.Ramlee
4. The evolution of music storage technology
5. The history of local entertainment

It is also interactive after the guided tour, giving a chance for anyone to play around instruments not encased, and a chance to listen local music ranging from English, Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil. Check out the messages of the past from the newspaper clips and posts scattered around, and what local...