I've had an incredible experience at Musician's Playground since I started last February. What…read morereally made the difference for me were the instructors Miles, Rocco, and Thomas, who helped me build the confidence to play the guitar more freely and start improvising in ways I never could before. They don't just teach you what to play, but how to think about music: the theory I should know, how to actually practice effectively, and how to keep learning beyond the classroom. There's a real emphasis on listening, rhythm, and interacting with the people around you, which completely changes how you approach playing. For me, it's gone from "can I play over this song?" to "I have ideas about what I can improvise here," and musically, that's one of the most freeing shifts I've experienced in my life. Also big shout out to Dave and Brooke at the front. They are always there to welcome everyone in and make sure you feel comfortable from the moment you walk in, which really sets the tone for the whole place. The variety of classes and sessions they offer means there's always something new to explore, and the value of the group classes and membership is honestly unmatched. Completely worth it. Everything is accessible, the instructors are fantastic, and the environment is genuinely welcoming. It's been an immense creative escape, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to grow as a musician or just reconnect with music in a meaningful way. It's rare to find a place that makes you feel both challenged and completely at ease, but this is one of them. Boston, don't sleep on this hidden gem!

There are not a lot of recent reviews, so I thought I would add my experience in case it helps…read morepeople find what they need. I was excited to try piano lessons here but my experience was not client-centered. First, the person who connected with me about discussing what I need was going to call me on the phone but was inconsistent about scheduling. Then, although everybody was polite (if you discount my instructor asking me "no, but where are you *really* from"), the instructor I was matched with definitely did not start with where I was at and imposed their own perspective and agenda on me for how we would be learning because it's what they were familiar with. Also, during the lesson, the space was loud because people could be overheard singing. So, it was very difficult to hear the instructor and concentrate. Looking back, I think the person that I initially connected with to discuss what I was hoping for probably just wanted to make a sale instead of being straight up that perhaps what they had to offer did not match my needs.

I have to take the opportunity to write yet another review of Domenic and Third Floor Guitars. I…read moreimpulse purchased an extremely inexpensive partscaster Strat in candy apple red. I've always wanted a candy apple red Strat. The electronics were terrible, the nut was plastic, the action was way too high and the intonation was terrible, and the pickups were underpowered (they were crap, actually), but I knew from past experience that I could count on Domenic at Third Floor Guitars to turn it into a quality instrument. Once again, he didn't disappoint. He replaced the plastic nut with a Tusq nut, swapped out the pots with 3 CTS 250k pots, replaced the switch with a genuine Fender 5-way switch, replaced the jack with a Switchcraft jack, installed an Orange Drop 022 cap, and installed 3 genuine vintage1990s MIM Fender ceramic magnet pickups - and of course, a full setup. I played it tonight at my band's practive and everyone (including me) was amazed at how awesome it sounded. Honestly, it sounded as good as my 1978 Strat - maybe even better!

What an amazing service. Brought in a guitar that wasn't in the best shape and they did a…read moremagnificent job on getting it playing beautifully. 10/10 will always come back here for any work.

Incredible sales folks ! Hard to find items . Prices are better than guitar center . What a neat…read moreplace to hang out and find your next guitar

I went in to buy a new Martin acoustic, but the staff's bored snarkiness made me think they learned…read moretheir social skills in high school, and stopped there. The good news is I bought exactly the guitar I was looking for, the bad news (for them) is that I bought it at a different guitar store that had much better service.

True Music Studios is fantastic! I highly recommend voice lessons with Jeanne. She is a phenomenal…read morecoach, and has a wonderful way of incorporating very helpful breathing and vocal techniques into the lesson that have allowed me to find my own voice and continue to improve as a vocalist. As someone who had never taken voice before, I couldn't have picked a better studio and teacher to learn from. Thank you!

Loved the space! They have multiple live rooms, a large control room, and a vocal isolation booth…read more We recorded some music along with a podcast. The recording engineers were really talented and easy to work with

My fiancé Darlene and I took 2 voice lessons with Nora through zoom due to the pandemic. It was a…read moregreat experience, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Nora was a great teacher that did a great job explaining concepts and providing concise feedback on how we can improve. I appreciate how patient she was with a beginner like myself and also the helpful exercises she introduced us. It was a great experience, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot. I highly recommend taking a voice lesson with Nora!

My lessons with Nora have been transformative and empowering. Nora helped me to tune in to my inner…read morevoice and sensations during singing. Having awareness of my body, breath, and voice has been crucial in my learning process. After lessons, I felt whole, balanced, and at peace. I also enjoyed the playful nature of singing lessons with Nora as I learned fun and playful singing techniques. I highly recommend lessons from WholeTone Music Academy!

Karen was nice, but didn't really seem to know the instrument she was teaching me. I took just one…read morepaid lesson (a free trial lesson wasn't an option). I get the impression she's primarily a voice teacher, and can in general, understand anything musical, and therefore she claims to teach it all.

I called Karen to ask if she could teach me to play the mountain dulcimer, letting her know that I…read more(a retiree) have minimal musical knowledge, play no instrument, and have no singing ability. Since the first lesson, Karen has been an enthusiastic and encouraging guide, leading me to understand the instrument and various playing techniques, how to practice, and what to focus on. She has also followed up on my questions by teaching me enough music theory at each step to make it all make sense. She is fun and motivating.

I bought a new guitar here back in November. It was an expensive guitar for me as I had never…read morepurchased something of this level before. Well, I had an issue with the guitar well after the return window and the folks here went above and beyond in helping to rectify the problem. I could not speak more highly of this establishment and I will be buying all my musical equipment and accessories form them in the future.

I bought an instrument from them on Reverb…read more I even agreed to buy a used gig bag they had on their site for $20, since the electric sitar that I purchased didn't have one The next morning, an hour before the store opens, "Paul" tells me to hold off on buying the gig bags because they can't find the instrument that I bought! He suggested I put in for a refund. I was not going to be the one to break the deal and I told him I was not interested in a refund, I wanted the instrument they sold me and was bought and paid for. A short time later, Paul tells me they looked all over and can't find it and sent me a refund anyway. They had the instrument when they took pictures of it and posted it on a Reverb two months prior! It was an oddball Electric Sitar/Guitar Did they think it might be rare or a prototype? Did someone offer them more money? Did they keep it for themselves? Did an employee steal it? I asked them to check with all of their employees and any surveillance footage, sales records, etc. If I had a music store and an instrument was missing, I would be raising heck! Especially something already sold, bought and paid for by a customer! I will never deal with this place again and I hope that no one does. Do so at your own risk!

The staff and teachers are very friendly. There are lots of opportunities to perform. And my…read moredaughter was able to learn a range of instruments. The idea of playing in the band as soon as you learn an instrument is really excellent.

From the owner: School of Rock provides both in-person and online music lessons for students of all ages. Our…read moreprograms, camps and workshops for toddlers, kids, teens and adults make learning to play music fun and create great communities of musicians. School of Rock is the leader in performance-based music education. We combine one-on-one drum, bass, keyboard, vocal, and guitar lessons with group practices. Students learn to play music from day one and put on live performances at local venues. Our experienced instructors are local musicians themselves who combine the performance-based School of Rock Method and programs with individual music lessons to get results for your student.

James the owner is a peach! We rented a baby grand from East Cambridge Piano for a fundraiser…read moreconcert and needed him to tune a second piano. He came in with the best price and the bonus was that he knew the guys at the venue we were using and was able to coordinate timing with them. Yay! I definitely recommend him for your piano needs. Plus he is a Berklee grad!

An electric piano we use for our church services had a key that started sticking. East Cambridge…read morewas the second place I called, recommended by another shop who didn't really want to look at it. I almost tried to take it apart myself after watching YouTube videos that said it's usually just dust inside, but I'm really glad I didn't. James knew immediately what the problem was just by looking at the keyboard before taking it apart (he could see a slightly bigger gap between that key and the next; something I couldn't see even when he pointed it out). He took it apart and showed me a crack in the key in question. He replaced the key while I waited and it was good as new. It was a very reasonable price as well. He also met me downstairs at the loading dock with a cart and we rode up on the freight elevator. I now have a go-to place if we ever need another repair. Incidentally, he said he sometimes gets people who bring him a box of parts because they took their piano apart after watching YouTube but couldn't fix it or put it back together. James said the problem is hardly ever dust.