Came here to buy a black folder for choral music after being referred by the Pasadena Conservatory. I called in advance to ask if they had any in stock and staff were prompt and professional in picking up to answer my request. Good variety of inventory from what I could see. Found out later my mom buys all her violin + piano sheet music here. It's tucked inside a strip mall off an out-of -the-way portion of Foothill. Would have loved to have seen this store in Old Town, but the current location is very convenient for quick in-and-out errands - and a short distance from the Conservatory. If I need to use something for music practice, I hate to buy online without knowing if it will work for me or not. Brick and mortar music stores like this are essential, and I'm glad Bertrands is so close by! read more

Very friendly and quick service. As soon as I stepped in to fix my daughter rented instrument, I got warm welcoming atmosphere and got the job done quickly Thank you all especially Gerard and Iris read more

I've been going to Bertrands for a long time and the staff is always amazing and helpful. Recently, Jared helped me order a piano book and it turned out that I didn't need it after all. They were very accommodating and provided the best customer service. Thank you, Jared! read more

I wasn't at Bertrand's for a musical reason. I stopped in to ask if I could drop off a flyer as my indoor only kitty was missing. You can really tell what kind of human someone is in a time of crisis. The team yesterday Friday 4.28 were SO AMAZING. Kind, concerned, actually cared that I was trying to find my kitty. I was sweaty, probably stinky, sunburned, dehydrated and very upset. No judgement, assumptions or lectures- just compassion. Just wanted to let everyone know what great humans are at Bertrand's! read more

My wife rented a cello from these folks for several years, just to learn on. It was very convenient. Now she has her own cello but still goes here for strings. The people are really nice and they have a nice selection of music. It's kind of just a neighborhood music store. Today she had a problem with a string and they got it sorted and didn't even charge her. Good place. read more

I was worried my son's sax wouldn't be repaired in a timely manner but I dropped it off at the start of winter break and they did a great job getting it back to us so my son didn't miss any orchestra classes! read more

Amazing staff and incredible support! I recently rented a trumpet from the store for my son's school. The trumpet wasn't what I expected. I reached out thru email and text. The response was within minutes. They were so helpful and understanding. The entire team coordinated seamlessly to get me a new trumpet immediately! It was so easy and quick! Thank you so much for making this experience so wonderful Joel and your entire team! Definitely recommend for school rentals or purchases! read more

I wanted to purchase a new guitar and the guy at the front desk recommended waiting for more discounts next month. Though I didn't purchase anything this round, I'll definitely come back next time :) read more

My dad always came to Bertrand's for all his music needs for his personal use and his classes. Now that my dads gone we are keeping with the tradition of shopping at Bertrand's for all our music needs. read more

Really nice place,I rented a violin for my daughter and everyone in the store is super kind and helpful , I got the option to buy the violin and you can tell that they really care to help you and offer the best advice not just sell. read more

From a ukulele and voice student: "Working with Joseph Garate at Bertrand's Music really helped me learn more about music. With great guidance, and lessons that are fun and interesting, working with Joseph allows me to learn at my own pace with encouragement and good critiques, which helps me grow as a person and a musician. THANK YOU!" - Ceres D. Black, age 15 youtu.be/xg-1rs9XoN4 read more

We were getting a violin and it was so easy to do. The staff were so helpful especially as we needed to change sizes after the fact. They guided us to choosing appropriate music books as well. It was a fantastic store with amazing staff! read more

I've supported my kids ever changing music interests here for over a decade, everything from tiny violins and band flutes to teenage guitars and all the accouterments for these instruments. Staff have been polite, knowledgeable and generous with their time. I'm sure I will be back. read more

Bertrands Old Town Music - Christmas guitar, got lots of great info before buying. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Pasadena, California

Nice little music place in Pasadena. Went in to look for a guitar for my daughter and the young people there were nice and courteous. Very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. I was very pleased and ended up buying a 3/4 classical Yamaha guitar for my daughter. Easier to play and gentle on the fingers. Also they sell other instruments, accessories, music books, and also offer music lessons. read more

Son rented a trumpet from them. It was broken when he got it, but because he never played the trumpet before, and he is only 11 years old, he did not understand that the trumpet was broken until he was told by his instructor. When we brought it in for repair they charged me over $60 to repair the trumpet even though I told them what happened. There was really no use talking to anyone at the store, because they are just kids working there who have no power to change anything. They literally told me that I should have gotten the insurance. Now, if my son broke the trumpet, then fine I will totally pay, but the idea that insurance is supposed to pay for an instrument that is broken when it was received is really crazy! On top of that they said that they would call to resolve the issue before charging my credit card. Nope, I received the service charge and they had no record of having to call me. Basically the kids working there just flaked! It's pretty obvious that the ratings for this store are fake with all the 5 stars by friends and family! read more

I am pleased that each new piano book by daughter's instructor request they always have it, readily available and easy to find. Prices are good and excellent customer service. Initially I missed them being in Old Town Pasadena but now I love the convenience of being able to run in and get what I need easily - especially how convenient the parking is now! read more

We popped in to get a ukulele for my dad who was curious about trying one. The young women who helped us was super patient and found a large print chord chart for him and tuned the instrument for us. My dad enjoyed his experience so much he got 2 more ukuleles, tambourines, little music boxes, and more. We definitely recommend this place read more

LOVE Bertrands! I always look forward to going to this beautiful family run store. They give the best service, care and music selection. My voice teacher, Joseph Garate, is such a joy! Incredible in his knowledge, support and instruction-I always look forward to our lessons. I've been in two of the virtual recitals-a truly wonderful experience-and the way Kari Krafft so beautifully put it together made it such an immense pleasure to watch. read more

Old Town Music (and Bertrands Old Town Music) has been a part of my music journey for quite a long time. One of their most useful services for me has been the advantage of renting musical instruments with the option to buy. I have rented a cello, a violin and several modern flutes this way. It is a great opportunity to rent and explore an instrument (take lessons) before making the decision to purchase. You can decide if that instrument is for you. If you decide to buy the instrument, some of your rental costs can be assumed into the purchase price. I purchased two modern flutes this way. Their musical selection of sheet much is also very good and they will also order for you if something you are looking for is not in their stock. Their staff is friendly and easy to work with. read more

Such a friendly staff. Extremely knowledgeable and welcoming. What a gem! Rented a cello from them and they helped get everything set up. Great prices too. read more

At first, I was not so sure if the online vocal / piano lessons were going to work for my daughter. Now after one year. I can assure you and recommend Joseph Garate. We are more than happy about the results because he has the knowledge to identify problems quickly with incredible solutions that has helped my daughter learn. We highly recomend him as a music instructor and there is not enough words to express my gratitud. read more

we have a 10 year daughter who is venturing into the world of cello and we've been looking for a trustworthy, high quality of service place to travel alongside her. and we just found our place. in short, the service is top notch and usually that's what matters most to me. we all have all sorts of options when it comes to where we spend our money and it feels good when people take the time to educate you and not just "sell" you to get your buck. Mark was absolutely awesome today and made some great recommendations for our beginner cellist and my wife who made a visit to the store spoke with another young lady today and loved her service and the overall vibe of the shop. we didn't spend much money today (thanks to Mark's education and patience), but we know this is where we'll be spending our time and dollars for as long as our little one is on this journey! thanks, Bertrands!!! read more

Great music store that serves the community very well.

Great guys. Help me get some rentals for my boys. Will recommend friends and family.

Very helpful and friendly staff. Nice selection of Sheet Music. Convenient parking. These kind of Music Stores are a dying breed.

I love coming here. I was sad that it had to move, but it is still a convenient location. The staff is great. The have been so helpful over the years with my large orders of Music preparing for CM or competitions. read more

They clean the instruments with UV sanitizing. They meet you outside to pick up the instruments. It includes a stand and beautiful instrument. read more

This was my first time there. I needed ukulele instruction books and they have some. It's hard to find music books any more unless you order them on line, but I wanted to peruse them before I bought. The staff were very friendly and helpful. I will indeed come back for more things as I need them. read more

I was a little sad when I found out that Olde Town music had d moved from its groovy subterranean location. When I went to the new location, I was so pleasantly surprised by the helpful staff, I was happy about the change! Great teachers as well! My daughter is taking lessons with Gina who is awesome! Couldn't be happier. read more

A young man here who was so helpful and knowledgeable not just only changed the strings on my sons violin but also gave us a lesson on how to change the strings ourselves. Extra stars for having the right brand/size of strings and for being open on Sundays. read more

I have been a long time customer at Old Town Music. The new location is well organized, large, and has an excellent selection. I shop here for all of my music needs and encourage all my piano students to do the same. read more

Family owned and operated. Hands down the best music store around. Great selection of sheet music, and instruments. They also offer music lessons, and have a great rental program for beginning band and orchestra instruments. read more

Great asset to the community. You can talk to real knowledgeable people who are passionate about what they do. Go support local business.

Look no further, fantastic lessons and rental programs with a large music library and knowledgeable staff, this place is your one-stop shop for everything! Great new location, the new ownership really knows what they're doing. read more

I hardly write good reviews, just because I feel most 5 star places already have excellent reviews and mine wouldn't make a difference. But since I had such an excellent experience here and they don't seem to have many reviews, I"ll take the time. May be also because I had a bad taste from 2 other music stores, I am super impressed here. So, I need a Viola for my 6th grader at school. I was given pamphlet to Johnny Thompson in Monterey, Bertrands and Lee's Music in Arcadia. Went to Johnny Thompson yesterday, since it was close to where we had lunch. We are busy people. Sundays is my only day off. So I am prepared to go in and get one. Fill out a whole page of application form after waiting about 1/2 hour for service since they are super packed and busy. While signing for the equipment, I was told there is no minimum and we can return anytime. BUT, there is a $69 deposit fee that is non refundable if we didn't rent it for the full school term. Hmmm...okay. But we do get SOME credit from the rental fee if we decide to purchase. Nice. It's like rent to buy program. GREAT! But then, Whoa whoa whoa...It's only on the one we are renting. So I asked, but the one we are renting is used. Same item if we purchase new is $399, 14". The USED one we will be renting, or rent to own, will be $549 plus tax when we decide to buy. "that's just how the price works on rental" said Ismael. Ok guys. Sorry for the long re view, but go figure. I thought that was a bit of a rip off. So much for "no minimum rental" we just gonna keep your $70 bucks. And seriously, I wouldn't even have minded forking $549 total purchase price because due to rental and so from a business sense, they make the extra for "financing" the piece. But I am just bummed it's a used piece. Not even new. I would have walked out with it if they gave the credit for a new instrument. And the box they were going to give us the viola in was damaged and broken. He said he will make a note on it and that they will not charge us for a broken box when we decide to return it. So, that brought me here to Bertrands this morning. OMG! What a huge difference. The lady who helped me is super knowledgeable and gave great pointers. I was going to go over to Lee's Music to compare prices after here, but I didn't bother. Yes! I walked out of here with a beautiful brand spanking new Yamaha Viola, Paid $17 deposit/cleaning fee, non refundable, and $5.50 insurance. Got a special 1st month free from the school flyer. 15.5" because of my son's height, and she will exchange the size if it does not fit him. I have no reason to shop around at that point. And they will give FULL credit from the rental fee towards a BRAND NEW same kind of equipment. The $5.5 insurance cover loss, theft and STRING!!! KIds!!! I NEED INSURANCE!!!!! And she briefly explains to me the difference between Viola and Violin, when at another place, they said it's the same. they sound the same, just bigger. lol. Thanks Bertrands for the wonderful help and service. On my receipt, it says "Amanada". So I think that's the wonderful sales lady's name. Thank you!!! read more

I had a wonderful experience here. I can't read music and was looking for sheet music in a particular key. Heather very patiently went over the options, and took her time to find what I was looking for. It was a tricky situation, but she came up with a creative solution and I'm very grateful. read more

Marine, Marc, Heather, Bram, Katerina, and Joseph always provide me with AWESOME CUSTOMER SERVICE!!!! I recommend that all of my students shop at Bertrand's in Pasadena. Great Store. read more

Called to see if they could do a minor string repair for my son's violin. They were very helpful and I was impressed with their selection of music and instruments. Didn't know this place was here and was pleasantly surprised with the selection and prompt service. read more

really knowledgeable staff offering helpful information on their offerings. limited yet varied instruments display quality over quantity, so what ever you choose will be a solid choice. we went in for a ukulele and while they had a range of price points, they did not offer any low end, cheaply made instruments. we ended up with a well priced heirloom quality piece. they also offered a selection of sheet music, tuners, cases and other accessories. read more