NAMM Kicks Off National Wanna Play Music Week, May 4-8 | Wanna Play Music

New Tools Make It Easier Than Ever to Get Started Playing a Musical Instrument

Carlsbad, California, May 11, 2009—NAMM, the 108-year-old, not-for-profit
association of the international music products industry, kicked off its annual
National Wanna Play Music Week today through May 8 to help build
awareness of the
proven benefits of playing musical instruments for people of all ages.  Considering that playing music is an
ability that is wished for by 85 percent of Americans, according to a recent
Gallup poll*, NAMM has developed several new
applications and services to help anyone easily get started.

National Wanna Play Music Week is part of the association's Wanna Play? public awareness campaign,
which recognizes the vital role that music and music education play in people's
lives, and how recreational music making can directly impact the health and
social well being of people in all stages of life.

Music Monday Launch

The
week of May 4, 2009, kicks off with "Music Monday," a five-year tradition started
by the Canadian-based Coalition for Music Education that encourages musicians, music organizations, school bands and music
lovers everywhere to play music at the same time to demonstrate the galvanizing
power of making music. This year,
all participants across North America will play music together at 10 a.m. PT,
11 a.m. MT, 12 p.m. CT, and 1 p.m. ET. This is the second year that NAMM has
joined in the effort, which inspired more than 700,000 students across North
America to play last year.

This
year, NAMM will be working with The
Bacon Brothers, featuring acclaimed acting veteran Kevin Bacon and his
brother, award winning film and TV composer Michael Bacon, to help launch
National Wanna Play Music Week in the
U.S.  The Bacon Brothers, who
recently released their 6^th album New Year's Day, will be appearing at the Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts today
along with Yoko Ono and the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus.

"We
wanted to show our support for what NAMM and others are doing to help encourage
people to get out and play music," said Kevin Bacon.  "Music is obviously a huge part of our lives.  Playing a musical instrument can help
drive a passion that can last a
lifetime and play an integral part in maintaining a healthy mind and body.

"This
year we have taken the extra step to make it as easy as possible to help people
experience first hand what it is like to play music," said Joe Lamond, NAMM's
president and CEO.  "NAMM is
consistently seeking out new ways to connect people with the enjoyment and
proven benefits of playing music and simple ways anyone can get involved.  It's never too late to learn to play a
musical instrument, whether you are five or 85 and NAMM's National Wanna Play Music Week is a great time to
give it a try."

Tools to Help Get Started

To
help consumers find quality music instructors near them, NAMM has developed a
variety of tools that make it easier than ever for people to start their
musical journey:

• New, free "Find Music Lessons Near You" search
  tool at www.wannaplaymusic.com,
  will feature one of the most comprehensive databases of music educators on the
  Web from NAMM's network of Member stores, the Music Teachers National Association
  (MTNA) and TakeLessons.com, a nationwide provider of lessons. This easy-to-use tool will help those interested in
  learning to play music to easily find a qualified music teacher in their
  neighborhood.

• As an additional resource
  for National Wanna Play Music Week, a
  special hotline will connect people who
  are curious about playing music with a NAMM representative to ask any questions
  they may have about how to get started, how to select the best instrument and how
  to overcome the most common challenges.  The hotline will be available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT by
  dialing 1-800-767-NAMM.

• NAMM also will launch a
  new iPhone application that will
  test player's "musicality" with a fun and educational game. The application will
  also feature a music store locator to help people who are looking to take the
  next step toward playing a real instrument.

• In
  addition, NAMM has reached out to more than 500,000 music and film enthusiasts
  and asked them to participate in its short
  film contest, highlighting the positive aspects of making music.  Working with OurStage,
  an online community site for filmmakers, submissions are accepted throughout
  May with the short film winner receiving $5,000 cash, a MacBook Pro, various
  computer software for video and audio editing, and a trip to the Summer NAMM
  show in Nashville, Tenn. for a world premiere of the film.

The
wannaplaymusic.com Web site will
also feature daily themes that will help educate and build awareness regarding
important trends, tools and news in the world of music.

Monday: "Music Monday"
Music
advocates and enthusiasts from all over North America will be uploading photos,
videos and updates from their Music Monday sites to the Music Monday Facebook
group and wannaplaymusic.com.

Tuesday: "Get in Tune Tuesday"
Resources will be offered to help people get involved with NAMM and National Wanna Play Music Week, such as the new
lesson locator, iPhone application and NAMM hotline.

Wednesday: "Mid-Week Look at Music in the Midst of America"
Results from NAMM's 2009 Gallup poll*, which highlight the common perceptions
of music in America, as well as how interest in playing a musical instrument is
at an all-time high.

Thursday: "Music Therapy Thursday"
The site will highlight research and data that help document the proven
benefits of music, physically and mentally.

Friday: "Future Musician Friday" With children as the future, NAMM believes that investments need to be made to
ensure that music remains strong in our schools and communities.  The Web site will highlight key
government news and trends in education, as well as highlighting schools with
excellent music programs.

* According to the April 2009 Gallup
Poll entitled "2009 Public Attitudes Toward Music"

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