In my fairly long experience, there are only two types of music stores…read more Type A, you walk in and you're looked at like you're a perp. If you look like you might even start thinking about taking an instrument down from the walls, you'll get a lecture about not touching the merchandise and a series of inquiries about whether you're a serious buyer or not. The staff may be knowledgeable, but they'll talk to you as if you're a mentally-challenged space alien who has never heard of a major chord or a scale and is need of being spoken to like a slow-witted dog. The prices are fixed, as if Moses had passed them down on an extra set of tablets from the mountain top, and any discussion of same is an apostasy that will quickly get you invited to get serious or get out. Type B, you walk in and the staff are already playing something. They check to see if you need help but will leave you alone to look if you say you're just looking. If you have a passing question about something, instead of answering it they'll pull down an instrument, give you a demonstration, and ask you to try it out. They'll talk to you frankly about the best place to buy X, Y, or Z and may point out the good features of what they have but are trying to match you up to whatever it is you need or are at the right stage for. They love music, maybe just a bit too much, but they love musicians even more, and they really love aspiring musicians. Hermie's is firmly in the Type B camp, and are going to be Cool about just about everything you can imagine. They know the scene, the area, the schools, the teachers, the bands, and they know their stuff. Prices are going to vary quite a bit, like they do at any instrument-oriented store, but as a working musician's place this is incredibly friendly towards the amateur and the student. The staff took time today to show my young musician a bunch of things he hadn't seen before on the guitar and lit a fire on inspiration in him. Honestly, I can't tell you whether you will get a good deal on X or Y here, relative to all the good deals in the universe. It's a small store, and they have more at the Albany location. It's a bit out of the way on the Jay walk in downtown Schenectady. But I've seen so many ***ho*es in the music business over the year I know by now how to tell what's what with the stores. Hermie's is good people.

I called Hermies with a single outrageous question "Would you be able to fit me in for a single…read moremusic lesson today?" I travel full time. I had one day in Schenectady. My boyfriend had taken his bass guitar on the road when he learned I had played cello as a kid. "It's really similar" he said. But I found myself unable to remember anything from playing music. 3 years of cello, a few months of trombone & piano, and 12 years of choir...but my brain seemed as good as having never done anything musical. Larry answered the phone and was both welcoming and confident that he could give me enough info to get me started. "Stop by anytime before 8pm". Around 2pm, I entered the shop and Larry greeted me just as warmly as on the phone. He checked out my travel bass & tuned it for me. I watched as his fingers whirled around the strings moving from fret to fret. I heard a little voice say "there's no way you're going to be able to do this again". I felt lost. Larry handed me the bass & walked me through a set of scales. I fumbled and hit the wrong string, or both strings at once, but I made it through. I went forward and then backward through the scales. It was awkward, but I did it. We'd chat a moment, he'd teach me something else about the bass, and like a good instructor "show me your scales again" and I would run through them forward & backward again. For fun, he taught me the bass line for Louie Louie. How can you not get tickled playing Louie Louie? That lesson was what I needed to get started and believe maybe I "can" learn this instrument. The previous review raved about Hermies. I'm a fan too. This is a must stop if you are thinking of picking up any instrument. Violin, Guitar, Cello, Bass, Flute or Sax. This is the place to go!

I had my daughter's violin service by Frank. He was professional, timely, experienced, and helpful…read more I would most certainly utilize this violin shop again.

Very professional and helpful. Frank is experienced and a real craftsman. He repaired our old…read morefamily violin to our satisfaction.

This company is NOT CLOSED!!!!! Steve is a very professional…read morewhen he comes to work on my piano. I have been using his services for 15 years, and plan on using his services until he retires.

looked around for a reliable Piano Tuner and came upon Steve's profile on yelp. Realize that there…read moreis not much reviews found on yelp for Piano Tuners in the Albany Region and selecting one was a challenge. Took the plunge with Steve, communication with him was great , he was responsive and reply asap. We had a Kawai Piano which has not been tuned for a couple of yrs, Steve spent about an hr tuning the piano and thereafter when my daughter tried it .. she was delighted and said it sound so different and lively now. We will use Steve again 4-5 months down the road as the recommendation for a piano which has not been tuned for yrs.. to have a couple of frequent tunning to warm up the strings. and one more thing his pricing is the fairest and lowest !!!... compared to others.. the quality of the tune is there.

I can't speak highly enough about my experience learning guitar and piano with Malcolm Moran! He…read moremade the pace manageable and I felt like I was always listened to when I struggled. I've only been in his program for the last couple of months but I can say that it has really been fun how quickly I have progressed. If you're looking for a music teacher in the Capital Region, look no further!

From the owner: Pianist, guitarist, organist, vocalist, and composer Malcolm Moran has been performing and teaching…read morein the Capital Region since 2015 . A native of Schenectady, Mr. Moran earned an Associates Degree in Music Performance as a guitarist from SUNY Schenectady, a B.A in Music as a pianist from the College of Saint Rose, and a M.M in Music performance from Kent State University. A highly sought out accompanist, Mr. Moran has performed at many venues and events in the area. Additionally, he has performed extensively as a recitalist in the area. In 2021 Mr Moran was the winner of the annual organ scholarship from the Eastern New York chapter of the American Guild of Organist when he studied organ with Neil Keen F.A.G.O. Mr Moran has been singing as a member of Saint Peter's Episcopal Church Choir in Albany since 1997.

Great and very friendly service! Buying a piano is a difficult decision, but the whole team was…read morevery helpful and patiently answered all my questions.

Bob is knowledgeable and friendly, patiently working with you to explore the available options for…read moredigital pianos including delivery and assembly. He is a trustworthy seller who ensures the piano is properly delivered on time. I opted for a more white-glove service and had my digital piano preassembled and delivered to me. If you're in the New York City area, make sure to give them a call at least.

Stay as far away as possible!! I showed up for my first lesson and he didnt have a teacher ready…read morefor me. I told him i was ending my lessons and was still charged for the following month and he has refused to pay me back. Still waiting for my refund after 7 months...

From the owner: Warren Lessons offers Music Lessons in Albany, Schenectady, Niskayuna. www.warrenlessons.com…read more Warren Lessons specializes in Guitar, Voice, Piano, Drums, Bass, Ukulele, stage and theater, performance and songwriting. The only studio owned by a - Voting member of the Grammy's - Has given lessons to classic rock icons - Made guitars for legendary bands including Blue Oyster Cult, Blink182, Allman Brother's etc. - Has recorded with many notable artists on over 26 albums - Invented a training pick for guitarists -Has given lessons to other area instructors We have the year round rock camp weekends for kids, teens and adults We teach all aspects of music, including composition and theory. When you search guitar lessons near me, you won't care how near we are, because you won't find lessons given with more passion and dedication anywhere. We say this, because that's what students and parents have said for years.