My piano had settled (poorly) after the big move & was shockingly out of tune. Also, two sticky…read morekeys! It was time to schedule a piano tuning. I chatted on the phone with Elena to schedule a time for one of their tuners to come by my apartment. She was very helpful & pleasant, finding a time that worked for both of us. She followed up twice before the appointment - once to confirm, & another time to clarify on the parking situation after the big snow storm. Mike, the tuner, arrived exactly on time. He saw my spinet piano & let out a big sigh, informing me that this may be more difficult than we anticipated. We discussed my goals - I was hoping to return to standard tuning. He got to work on my stubborn, old piano, doing his very best to gentle tweak it back to normal. He did a wonderful job, considering the state of my piano. He honestly reported to me that he couldn't get to fine-tuning it yet, so he didn't charge me full price. I was so grateful for his effort & honesty. I will definitely be returning to Avery for all my piano needs, whether coordinating another tune with Mike or purchasing a new piano.

Traveled all the way up to their location from Atlanta, GA, to purchase a like new 2021 Yamaha U3…read more The whole process was super easy, and they even were able to get our piano shipped(extra cost) to our door within a reasonable amount of time(less than a month). If we were ever in the need of a secondary piano, and they had what we needed we would for sure use them again.

Frank Moniz is an excellent teacher. My son was three and a half when he started guitar lessons…read morewith him. My son is now eleven years old, and Frank has done an outstanding job in teaching him. He knows how to relate to young children and teach them at an appropriate pace and level. Frank is patient and professional, and yet a friendly person. He is able to encourage and discuss with my son the things he needs to practice, and supplies feedback about the areas in which he needs to improve. When my son decided to play an additional instrument, he chose the saxophone. We were already impressed with Frank's teaching abilities, so we chose him as our son's music teacher for the saxophone as well. Because Frank had laid the foundation for success when my son had first started out, he was able to pick up the saxophone quickly. In addition to music lessons, Frank is a professional musician and is well known in the local music scene. - Bobby Yehiya

My now 11 year old son has been taking guitar lessons with Frankie for 2 1/2 years. I found him…read morethrough many, many recommendations from people in the area. Frankie is a fantastic, low key teacher with tons of experience working with both kids and adults. He clearly loves music and enjoys watching people learn and improve. He offers his students a healthy environment to learn at their own pace and gives them opportunities to perform and showcase their skills at seasonal concerts. He has taught my son on both acoustic and electric guitars. I recently began working with him to learn guitar myself as I knew he'd be a good fit to allow me to learn at my busy-working-mom pace. I strongly recommend him for kids and adults alike.

Review of Martin D35 Guitar, Sweetwater, and Dan's Music Center:…read moreI was a bit apprehensive when I decided to buy my first Martin D35 acoustic guitar online. After reading the posted reviews of the various online guitar stores, I settled on Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN). When I called, I got Jesse Duquette. Jesse had previously owned 50 guitars and it was comfortable speaking with him. He answered my questions and opened my eyes to other facts and styles I needed to consider with the guitar. Most important is that Jesse indicated that there is a 2-year warranty on the guitar, and that he and members of the Sweetwater team will be there anytime should I have a concern. When the guitar arrived, I had to wait 24 hours for the package to become acclimated to the temperature and humidity before taking out the guitar. When I finally opened the box, pulled out and tuned the guitar, I was absolutely delighted with the mellifluous sound of the Martin D35. The action was low, which I desired, but I had a vibration when I played the 5th (A) string. Jesse suggested I take the guitar to a luthier who could adjust the truss rod and that Sweetwater would reimburse me for the cost. I took my Martin D35 to Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI) where I was greeted by Dan Ryder the owner and luthier. Dan was about to have a bite to eat but stopped, so he could assist me. Dan took the time to adjust the truss rod which cleared up the buzzing. Dan charged me nothing to fix the issue for I could tell he understood and respected the quality sound that comes with the Martin D35 guitar. In summary, although I had initial trepidation with the online purchase of my guitar, I was extremely happy with the service I received at Sweetwater (Fort Wayne, IN) and at Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI) - and would recommend both companies without reservation. I also would highly recommend Jesse Duquette (of Sweetwater) and Dan Ryder - the owner and luthier of Dan's Music Center (Warwick, RI). Finally, thanks to Martin & Co for making my beautiful sounding Martin D35 guitar. Len in RI

This place is the "real deal." Dan is a superlative guitar player in his own right, and does…read morefirst-rate repairs and setups. His prices are excellent and he keeps a stock in the store that combines the expected high-volume (!) items with some lesser known gems. There is a nicely-curated selected of used guitar amps there with some superb treasures for those with a good eye. Dan does a great job listening to what you are looking for, guiding you to the "best fit," even if it is something he doesn't stock or sell -- he has the best interest of the customer in mind. I brought Dan a vintage Fender Jazzmaster (late 1960s) that has great sentimental value for me. One of the pickups had stopped working -- it turned out to be a break in the wire deep in the windings. Instead of doing the quick fix (swapping the pickup out for a new one), he arranged to have Lindy Fralin replace just the windings, keeping it as close to the original "vintage" as possible. Not as profitable for Dan as selling me a new pickup, but it was the right thing to do for the guitar. Like I said, this place is the "real deal"!

Lovely space for a piano recital or other music event in an intimate setting. We've always enjoyed…read morecoming here for recitals, and have also visited the Music Mansion for a few shows put on by Stone Soup Coffeehouse. There is free street parking nearby, and the neighborhood is lovely. the Music Mansion is only s few steps away from Prospect Park where you can see one of the best views in Providence. On our most recent visit, we discovered there is a small backyard with chairs, and we enjoyed sitting there before the performance. This is an over all lovely place and I'm so glad that it is still around.

The Music Mansion is, in my opinion, one of the best places in Rhode Island to listen to a…read moreclassical performance. It's a beautiful old historic home that was transitioned into a nonprofit music venue featuring intimate community based performances. The space seats 100 people at most, and you are surrounded with somewhat stern portraits of the family that used to own the home as well as incredible pieces of artwork and a magnificent chandelier hanging above the Steinway piano. I went to hear a friend play several pieces with a violinist and the acoustics are just perfect. There is only one bathroom and it is difficult getting in the front door if you don't have great mobility, and the parking is difficult on a steep and winding hill. But once you get into the space it's a beautiful experience.

A mom and pop type place where you can still get a deal…read more They offer guitars, bass, banjos, things I don't know the names of. I was able to walk in and purchase a starter guitar set up and go home happy and ready to learn This store is small enough to care about customer service still! I forgot to mention that they offer lessons. While I was there the owner was instructing a guitar player while an employee taught piano in the back room.

Great prices and a very fine place for music lessons on all instruments. Repairs on all instruments…read moreincluding guitars, woodwind and brass instruments.

I purchased a cello from Michael (Mike) Lyons Violins last fall to upgrade from the beginner…read morestudent cello I had for several years. The new cello projects the sound well and has a warm tone. The price was reasonable and less than an instrument of similar quatlity in the Boston area. I have taken the instrument back a few times for some minor adjustments; I always learn something from Mike about the cello and how to better take care of it. The service is outstanding. He has a unique inventory of violins and cellos and it is more likely you will get the instrument that is best for you. He has a good selection of bows; I upgraded to a new wooden bow a few months ago and love the sound it produces Mike's shop is cool to visit, even if you are just looking. It is a 90 minute drive each way for me, but it is definitely worth the trip. I highly reccomment Michael Lyons Violins.

The service I received at Michael Lyons beautiful violin studio was excellent. As a brand new…read moreviolin student and first time violin shopper, I got the feeling I was becoming a part of a music community by starting here. Michael took plenty of time to show me and tell me all about his custom violins, and he answered all my questions. I love my violin and I'll go back to him when I am ready for a new one.

I highly recommend Providence Guitar Academy!!! Phil has the…read morerare talent of staying calm and patient while making the learning experience fun. It is obvious that he really enjoys teaching. Jake, 5 years old, looks forward lessons , practicing and showing off what he has learned. Finding the right music teacher is so important and we hit the jackpot with Phil.

Where do I start describing such a wonderful, amazing teacher! First of all, Phil is indeed an…read moreextremely gifted musician in his own right, and has a very deep knowledge of technique and music theory. You can tell that he has a true passion for music and his 10+ years of experience definitely show in much of his sage wisdom that comes across in the lessons. For a total beginner in guitar and music like myself, showing up to this talented fellow as a grown adult with my cheap acoustic and telling him that I just wanted to be able to strum along to Bob Marley or the Beatles could have been intimidating. Instead I felt that Phil was delighted to teach me and he calmly encouraged me at every step from then on. He first made a special effort to understand my background, the types of music I like, the parts of learning music that interest me, and the amount of time I could commit. Then he came up with an individualized, structured plan for me to reach my goals, which also changed as my whims and interests changed as months went on. I began taking one 30-minute lesson each week, which might not seem like much; yet Phil is such a professional that not a minute is wasted, and by the end of each lesson I had tons of exercises to practice and things to think about every day for the 6 days until my next lesson. I felt I made very fast progress under Phil, thanks to his incredible teaching technique. As time went on I was so happy with the lessons that I increased to two 30-minute lessons per week. My progress became even faster and more intense. Phil effortlessly helped me switch between learning chords and guitar technique and the somewhat separate subject matter of reading music and understanding music theory. He helped me play songs while also helping me understand the underlying patterns and connections that many songs are based off of. Had I not unfortunately moved away from Providence, I think Phil would have turned me not only into a good guitar player, but also a well-rounded musician! I would like to be very clear, his lessons are a steal at the price he offers them at. The teaching is first class and Phil is a great human being, and obtaining beautiful abilities like playing the guitar and understanding music might change your life like they did mine.

As a musician myself, I can wholeheartedly get behind the RI Philharmonic & Music School…read more First, their Orchestra is incredibly talented, and I highly recommend that local Southern New Englanders take the time to visit our outstanding ensemble of musicians at the Veterans Memorial Auditorium for one of their regular concerts (and their Rush Hour Concerts are a perfect performance for those who would like a less-formal experience.) The Music School is top notch! The facilities are new, educators are some of the finest musicians in the area, and variety of ensembles is diverse. There are lessons available for students ages 0 to 100, ensembles for all ages to perform in, and often free concerts to attend. I adore the community of teachers and staff that make this building a home for music lovers.

If I ever have children they will take lessons here in the instrument of their choice. Hopefully…read morepercussion like me but who knows. RIPhilo has a wonderful set up here for RIPYO AND RIPYWE as well as many other ensembles, along with the Narragansett Bay Symphony Community Orchestra. One of rhode Islands unknown treasures.