The Valley is the soul of LA youth culture and rock and rolls roots that ID this city. No place better defines the core of LA's music authenticity than Gerard and his talented wife's awesome shop full of vintage guitars and me. Operated from a passion for Beatles and classic standards, old school quality customer service & lessons that inspire talent you didn't know you had - this place deserves your business I'm posting about a year since my original post to Yelp with an update on this incredible gem of a guitar store to simply say: Yes!! Everything I said above is absolutely true and more! If you're reading this post to consider music lessons or to purchase an instrument, look no further. Instead find a friend for life in these two and discover something wonderful within the joys of sharing music along the journey. Happy strumming! read more

I started taking guitar lessons with Teri in January of this year. I played piano and french horn growing up so I already knew how to read music, but I always wanted to play guitar and didn't have the discipline to learn it when I was younger. In the ~6 months I've been with Teri & Gerard, I've begun to learn how and why music works the way it does, and not just how to read what's written on the page. My lessons are completely customized based on what I want to learn. I have learned everything from scales and arpeggios to classical Spanish songs to improvising blues riffs. I can bring in a song, let Teri listen to it a bit, and then she'll teach me how to play it. It's amazing! They are honest and generous people and I really enjoy my weekly lesson. I've only bought one guitar from them when I started, but I wouldn't bother going anywhere else if I wanted another. I think their prices are more than reasonable and they've always been straightforward about how the lesson scheduling and prices work. Teri and Gerard have always been kind enough to give me free extra time on my lesson whenever it works out that way with scheduling, and they've given me great prices on any merchandise I've picked up. I highly recommend Teri and Gerard! read more

Came in looking for guitar strings with my then 10 year old son, found knowledgable and personal service, returned 2 weeks later, ended up buying a very well priced quality guitar...but most importantly, my son just "hit it off" with the owner, Gerry and could not wait to come back for what ended up being his first guitar lesson. Due to both Gerry and Terri (who covers the theory side of music with their students) my son now six years older, has an amazing love for music and guitar, and can't wait for his upcoming lessons. Thanks to them, he is "infected " with the love, technique, and deep understanding of music. read more

I always wanted to learn guitar,found a great teacher,one of the most nicest people you will ever meet,very knowledgeable,patient,great teacher,if you want to learn then look no further,know's alot about guitars and music,very good rates and service,goes out of his way for you. If your seeking to buy a guitar or get one tuned he's the man to go to....don't waste your time on going else where,trust me you won't regret it!.... I'm a customer for life... read more

I love Gerard and Teri at Gerard's Guitars. I've been taking guitar lessons with Teri for around 2 years now. She is the best! I have learned so much about music and music theory. If you take music seriously AND you want to have some fun, I highly recommend her lessons. She's willing to help you learn to play your favorite songs as well as rock and blues classics. I can't say my guitar skills are top notch yet (probably due to my poor discipline when it comes to practicing) but I can certainly read music and play chords now. I couldn't do that before my lessons at Gerard's Guitars. Gerard also has a very cool collection of guitars and other equipment for sale. I have purchased two guitars from them, the most recent just a few days ago and I'm loving it. The pricing is very fair. Gerard's Guitars is the place to go if you want to feel like a part of the family and learn a lot in the process. I'm so glad I chose them out of the many choices there are for guitar lessons. read more

My two young boys have been receiving violin lessons from Terri for three years. She is kind, generous, and very knowledgeable. She treats each child according to his abilities and designs each lesson accordingly. The boys love seeing her and look forward to their weekly lessons. read more

This is not the guitar center. This is a small business run by two of the most knowledgeable and passionate people you could hope to meet. If you want that personal touch when learning or buying a guitar, come here. I had to learn to play for a job and Teri whipped me into shape in a few weeks. And at times Gerard would hang out and I'd end up just jamming with him. I can't speak more highly of them. They have given me a renewed love for music and I will never put away my guitar. Note: Gerard also has an amazing collection on sale and will provide you with an amazing instrument for your needs at a great price. You won't find more passionate musicians or better teachers. read more

I found Gerard because I wanted to take guitar lessons locally. I found an excellent and fun teacher, whose partner teaches me keyboards, and an encyclopedia of everything guitar. Gerard will get you the right guitar for you and your needs, not the one with the highest profit. You get personalized service unmatched by any of those chain stores. Gerard teaches, sells, repairs guitars. If you want to buy a guitar (uke, banjo), come here, talk about what you are looking for, and Gerard will get you hooked up with the right instrument. If you want keyboards or violin lessons, you can get that here too, as Terry also teaches these instruments as well as applied music theory. I am glad I found this shop, and continue with my music lessons. read more

You can tell Gerard and Terri really have a love for the music and want everybody to be able to experience that feeling too. They will make sure that you are getting the best deal you can and are buying a guitar that works for your style and anatomy. Great selection and everything you could need for a great price. read more

He is the best and he knows what he is doing and the price is so reasonable. I recommend him for anyone who is really serious about learning guitar. read more

I've been studying guitar with Gerry for about 6 months now and could not be more pleased and impressed. I came in as someone who had reached an almost intermediate level about 40 years ago, then stopped advancing while I concentrated on my adult life and career. Now that I have some free time again I wanted to get back to playing guitar for my own pleasure and to play for friends and parties, and went to Gerry to see if he could help me. He immediately understood my level, and designed a lesson plan that helped me recall what I knew but had forgotten, and would help me advance as a player step by step. The process is ongoing, and with Gerry's help my playing is getting better and better. My repertoire of songs has already increased dramatically, and my understanding of the instrument and technique continue to grow. Between the value and quality of his guitars (I haven't bought one yet but I'm tempted), and his great skills as a teacher, I can't imagine you could find a better place to find a guitar and study how to play. Gerry and his wife Terri are very talented musicians, and, more importantly, very nice people. Highly recommended! read more

As an adult who always wanted to learn the guitar (but was forced as a child to take 7 years of piano), my private guitar lesson with Terri is quite possibly the hour I look forward to most each week. Gerry and Terri are not only both amazing multi-instrument musicians but also incredibly good teachers and about the nicest people I've ever met. Gerry is a veritable music encyclopedia, especially when it comes to the amazing selection of instruments he carries and sources. He also has lots of cool stories and anecdotes about some of the very well-known musicians he's jammed with over the years, and is always ready with a tip to help a song I'm playing really come together. Terri is an incredibly patient teacher (and a very kind soul) who understands how challenging it can be -- for kids and adults -- to learn how to play a musical instrument without the process becoming a chore. I've been through my share of domineering music teachers, (and some doormat-y pushovers) and in my opinion, she strikes the perfect balance of no-nonsense instruction plus a little bit of jamming and messing around just for kicks. She's overwhelmingly positive with just a dash of Jewish guilt mixed in (this works quite effectively - I actually feel bad when I don't practice...something I've never experienced before). Terri has also been great with helping me re-learn all the music theory I've forgotten over the years, as well as working with me to build a beginner-level repertoire of fun and slightly challenging songs. She keeps me focused on learning and pushes me out of my comfort zone while letting me have some fun and giving me just enough instant gratification to keep me motivated. I've seen her and Gerry teaching both adults and kids of all ages - it seems like most of their students are kids but I'm definitely not the only adult who is getting her behind kicked by a bunch of ten-year olds. read more

came in with an old goya guitar from the late 50s and left with a great new steal string guitar including a free capo and bag! I realized the guitar was a bit too big for me and with no trouble at all came back in and got an even better steal string that was smaller and easier for me to handle. Really really great service with amazing deals. Very knowledgable and polite as well. Clearly a great guy who is there to sell guitars for the love of music, not to rip people off. I recommend Gerry's guitar shop any day! Seriously great service and wonderful guitars as well! read more

A small, personal service kind of business by a guy who really knows his stuff. A rare find, and the kind of business that's sadly disappearing. We all need to patronize these kinds of places to keep that personal service in our neighborhoods! read more

We have been going to Gerard's for a couple of months now and we absolutely love them! Our 5 year old is taking lessons and after a couple weeks is actually reading music. All our daughter does is ask when her next lesson is and she practices everyday. They teach the proper way to learn instruments. It is so hard to find great teachers like this anymore, I highly recommend anyone to go learn from them. read more

I have bought a couple of guitars from Gerard and he is a true professional. Its like talking to a walking encyclopedia on guitars when it comes to what makes up a guitar and choosing the correct instrument. Gerard will always give you a good deal. Highly recommended if you want one on one service that you rarely get in a major music store chain. read more

I've always wanted to learn how to play guitar. I've played flute for the past ten years, so I know how to read music, and I know how much dedication it takes to learn an instrument. Gerard is so fantastic about teaching - even to someone who's fingers feel like they're in the wrong place! He's super duper patient, and him and Teri made me feel like family from the minute I walked in. LOVE Gerard's Guitars. read more

Has everything I need - great lessons and super nice guy - I will be back - Thanks Gerards's Guitars (and ukes)