My daughter has loved the singing lessons and progressed a lot in the last year. The lessons have…read morebeen engaging and convenient via the virtual platform during COVID. We have loved our teacher Ms Ashley.

We are Redwood City residents who have been part of the California Conservatory of Guitar since…read moreit's inception. It has grown from the main school in Santa Clara to Redwood City too! Not driving to Santa Clara for private lessons with our teacher on weekdays is awesome. Both our sons have been taking weekly lessons since a young age and love coming for them. They are in book 6 and 9 now and progressing well. The teachers are dedicated, active classical guitar professionals themselves and great role models in the musical journeys of their students. Kids have developed personal relationships with their teachers over the years. Santa Clara location hosts group lessons, ensembles or recitals on weekends for students of both locations. I do recommend these for the all-around musical development of the kids and it encourages socializing with peers. Overall, kudos and high recommendation for California Conservatory of Guitar program if your son or daughter is interested in classical guitar. Learning any musical instrument is not easy so picking good teachers for the journey is important along with parental support and commitment.

Great little music store with an amazing selection of cool guitars, keyboards, drums, pedals…read more Super-helpful staff. I needed strings for an oud, and they had them, in more than one gauge, even. Ended up buying lots more stuff than I had intended to, and I will definitely be going back there soon. Support local small businesses--before they're all gone! These folks are definitely worth supporting.

Store appears to be downsizing. About half the floor…read moreshowroom that it used to be. Makes you wonder what's up. Haven't been there since Covid,so things have changed for the worse.

They were great at the beginning, and to their credit were beyond patient during a period when we…read morewere struggling with the bill. But we've been on top of it for a while now and recently they just kept canceling lessons and then getting defensive and gaslighting when I complained about it. It was really discouraging for my son, and super unprofessional how they handled it. Though teacher was patient and supportive at the beginning, my sons ongoing experience with the lessons was actually not all that great. Other music schools and my experience offer positive feedback and support performance even for the very beginning players. Here he just kept practicing and practicing over and over again with nothing to work toward. We had been thinking about leaving anyway and then this happened.

We can't recommend Seth enough! He is a wonderful, patient, and skilled violin instructor. Seth…read moremakes the violin lessons fun, and my 7 year-old always enjoys them!

When I decided to study the bass guitar I had the incredible good luck of stumbling across Dave…read more.. I can't imagine finding a better teacher! He is rock solid on technique and skills but also has a wealth of knowledge about music theory and styles, and also the history of bass guitar and the bass players who have contributed to the field. I love our diversions into different bass players and the ways that they've changed musical history. I tend to learn music a bit differently than most people and Dave has been incredibly good at listening to me about what works for me and what doesn't, and adapting his teaching accordingly. It's been fun for me to broaden his horizons about musical theatre, and he's cheerfully rolled with all of the weird stuff that I've thrown at him. Dave has my highest recommendation.

Here are some of the reasons why you should consider Small Steps Music for your guitar lessons:…read more* the teachers: Dave and Rodney are both consummate professionals, but they are also fun and caring individuals whose love for music and guitar playing is infectious. * the flexibility: They bend over backward to accommodate your time constraints. My son kept having to switch his soccer days each season and I hesitated to go back to request another time slot for guitar lessons, but Dave, who masterminds the schedule, just made it work. We are so grateful. * the lessons: We were lucky enough to have both Dave and Rodney teach my son. He picked up on different aspects of the craft from each of them. The lesson content is tailored to the student's current needs. My son started at Small Steps while in Kindergarten and he quickly learned enough chords to play songs appropriate to his age. He still needs to be reminded that practice makes perfect and Dave does a great job of a) reminding him to do short, regular practices to keep the skills up and b) keeping the assignments manageable so that if he works at it, he can return the next week with new skills to apply to new songs. And did I mention that free choice plays a big part in what they practice? Students at Small Steps are encouraged to come with ideas for new and popular songs to learn, while Dave and Rodney will make sure that they are well-versed in some of the classic rock/folk/pop that inspired their current favorites (and inspired their parents and grandparents!). *the concerts. The annual concert (or "jam session" as they call it) is truly a highlight. Students of all ages and genders perform in a club-like setting with amps, speakers, etc, and it's inspiring for them to get a sense of how far they personally have come and how far they can go as they rock along to the other performers' songs. Summary: If you've been tempted to learn guitar, you can't go wrong with Small Steps Music. The supportive, experienced teachers, low-key environment, and challenging but doable lessons have kept my finicky son coming back for 6+ years and given him the confidence to play and sing at family events, both public and private.

Patient teacher. Comfortable studio. Teaches to all levels. Reasonable rate. I am a 71 year old…read morewoman learning piano for the first time and it is working well for me.

We wanted instructor that could teach my sons (5 and 8 at the time) to become the best pianists and…read moremusicians they can be, without hurting their love of music. My older son had outgrown his last (wonderful) school, and we needed someone who was skilled enough to instruct him for years down the road. And of course, because my boys are still children, we needed someone patient and kind. Teacher Marie is that piano teacher. She has the technical chops: studied at the Tchaikovsky College of Music, MA at CSU Long Beach, followed by 15 years of teaching. Just as importantly though, she's kind, engaging and patient while still correcting and teaching my kids with gentle firmness -- she really seems to know and appreciate them as individuals. My wife is the musician in the family, and she also tells me that the curriculum they're working from is an excellent one, and far better than the one she started with. Her studio is a bright airy space surrounded by a garden in a quiet neighborhood. She holds recitals for her students (which we like) and supports her students in achieving music exam certifications (which Marie allows parents to opt out). It's been over a year now, and the boys have grown so much in that time with Marie.

I really enjoyed learning from Blake! I am a beginner who was able to quickly pick up a new skill…read morethanks to her. It was really gratifying to see myself improve so much in a few weeks, and I can't wait to see how much I will get better as time goes on.

From the owner: Virtuoso Piano Studio offers high-quality private classical piano lessons, group lessons, musical…read moreactivities, and teachings of music philosophy. Specialized in RCM, CM and Piano Adventures.

I bought my first bass, a beautiful Fender Precision Special, at Gelb Music in Redwood City as a…read morebirthday present in 2003. 23 years ago, I experienced the kind of personal, caring experience you get from a non-chain store, where the employees know their gear and are glad to help you. Over the years, I acquired a number of other basses, so my Fender languished. When I took it out the other day, it sounded crackly when I turned the knobs, so I thought I'd bring it back to its original home to get it checked out. I'm so glad I did. James greeted me and helped me look into the problem. Soon, owner Massoud got involved, and with some expert inspection and adjustment, had it working perfectly again. I enjoyed a chat with Massoud, who has many years in the music equipment business. Gelb still has the interest and inventory to help a pro or a busy amateur like me. There's a nice selection of instruments, amplifiers, and the kind of stuff you need, like tuners and straps. I plan to visit them next time I'm ready to add to my bass collection. It's a lot more fun than going online.

Good people. The owner repairs guitars. No Gypsy jazz…read moreguitars. :-( Not a large selection of Classical guitars. but lots of electrics and lots of keyboards. Drum shop in the back.

I have taken weekly electric guitar lessons with Bill for about six months. He has done a great…read morejob coaching me through the beginner level and i have improved significantly. He is patient and encouraging. We went right into playing familiar rifts and songs, like the Beatles, making it fun to practice.

I have been taking lessons with Bill for 4 years and have found him to be an excellent instructor…read more Bill takes the time to not only teach the basic chords, but he also corrects any bad habits that you have so that your playing can reach its full potential. Bill has helped me pick out guitars, answered any question I have asked regarding equipment/songs, and has been willing to teach any song I have asked about. I was initially worried about lessons, especially if I hadn't made too much progress on a given song since my previous lesson. Bill put me at ease, he isn't there to judge or grade your improvement, rather he will point out what you are doing well, correct any bad habits he sees, and then nudge you further along into the song. If the song isn't working for you, then no problem, he will move on to another song. Bill is very patient, understanding, and supportive. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time with him and I look forward to learning many more songs with him.

Native Bay Area resident and have always heard of Gryphon. Never had a guitar that needed a setup…read moreI couldn't do. Took my Martin Sc-10 for a setup due to high action after purchasing it used and the shim system they use. Went in to talk and Bryan took my guitar in and was very informative about the service. Guitar was ready promptly and when I went to pick it up Paul greeted me very kindly and we had a great conversation about the Bay Area old days and Skip Spence. My guitar action was perfect. Can't say enough kind words about this place. Highly recommend their service and a visit to the store. Beautiful acoustic guitars.

I definitely would recommend entrusting the work done on my guitar/Ukulele to the luthiers and the…read morefine folks at Gryphon. The Luthiers are fine craftsmen who enjoy their work and it shows speaking with them and viewing gorgeous instruments displayed on the walls and around the showroom. A definite one stop shop for high end string instruments