When I first started looking for guitar lessons, I had taken one-on-one lessons at a couple of…read moredifferent places, but I was making very slow progress. At first, I wasn't sure how I would feel about the group sessions at Twin Cities School of Guitar. After being there for about five months, though, I can honestly say that I love the group format. I used to dread going to guitar lessons because I felt a lot of pressure having an instructor focused solely on me throughout the entire lesson. I didn't enjoy the experience, and as a result, I didn't practice very much. Now, I actually look forward to my lessons because they're fun, engaging, and much less intimidating. I find myself picking up my guitar and practicing regularly--so much that even my wife has commented on how much more I'm playing. I've learned more in the past five months at Twin Cities School of Guitar than I did during years of one-on-one lessons elsewhere. The instruction is practical, encouraging, and structured in a way that makes learning enjoyable. In addition to the regular lessons, Ryan offers Masterclass sessions that go in-depth on specific topics, and they're included in the membership. We recently completed a two-hour Masterclass focused entirely on Fingerstyle, and I learned more in that session than I had in all of my previous lessons at other places. I've seen significant improvement in so many areas, including my strumming, fretboard knowledge, rhythm, chords, songs, and overall understanding of music theory. Most importantly, I feel much more comfortable and confident playing the guitar. If you're on the fence about joining Twin Cities School of Guitar, I highly recommend giving it a try. Take a couple of classes and see what you think. You may be surprised by how much you enjoy learning--and how much progress you can make. I sure was.

What a great place to learn guitar! I never thought I'd learn so much in such a little time. And…read moreI'm excited to learn more. Ryan is a terrific instructor!! I love the classes and the lessons are perfect! I'm in a group lesson yet it often feels like a private lesson with the way he can hone in on helping each of us with our specific need. I do not know how he does it - it's like magic! I love the lessons, I'm learning a lot, and it's fun! It's perfect!

Carol Gilkey was on a list of tutors given to me by my daughter's school. During the first lesson…read moreshe almost made my daughter (a beginning flute player) cry by yelling at her for putting her flute together incorrectly. At the second lesson she nailed it: first she scolded her for wearing perfume (which she wasn't), then yelled at her for only purchasing one flute book (she gave us the name of one book to purchase), then reprimanded her for not practicing the assigned lesson from the new book (she never assigned anything). My husband was witness to all of this including the final breakdown. My daughter burst into tears after she yelled at her for playing something incorrectly. After my husband interjected to say she was only a beginning flutist, she said, "I don't care. She's a 6th grader. She should know this!" At that point, she told my daughter she would not teach a cryer and ended the lesson. Then said, "This isn't going to work out. I'll mail your check back." Unbelievable. If a teacher is expecting perfection at the 2nd lesson, she should not advertise as a young beginner flute instructor.

This business seems to be badly managed. Messaged twice about lessons but have never heard anything…read moreback. Tried to order an attachment for my violin. They placed the order, never heard anything. Really wanted to like this business as it is local to me and I love music. Won't go to a business that clearly doesn't want mine.

Last year we were "thrilled" to find out our 10 year old wanted to play the saxaphone in the school…read moreband. We stopped into Cadenza and had the best experience. We rented an alto sax and the nicest guy ever explained what my son would need. When you rent an instrument for the school year, you pay in full up front. The guy made it clear that you won't pay a penalty if it's past the May deadline because schools have end of the year concerts etc. Near the end of the year we got a card in the mail telling us if we paid for next years rental we could keep the instrument over the summer for free. We did that. Also, a rental includes a yearly "tune up". While the sax was in the shop, our son announced he needed it TODAY for school. Of course. I called the store and talked to the woman who was repairing it. "Oh I'm working on it now, I could have it for you in 20 mins." Perfect

Great old-school music shop. Nice selection of music for a variety of instruments and all the…read moreaccessories you need. Also, beautiful, quality guitars and other instruments. My daughter (12) has been taking guitar lessons here for over 2 years now. Owner/teacher Pete is extremely patient, yet motivating. Daughter is at a point she feels comfortable and competent enough to play her guitar for family, small groups at nursing homes, and this Spring she played at our church for the first time.

I checked out Groth Music because I love music and this is a music store. It also is a Minnesota…read moreinstitution. I wanted to meet cool employees, have great conversations about music, and honestly, I wanted to buy something. I have a lot of money (well, not really) and I am genuinely in the market for... music stuff. Groth Music has guitars, but guitar is not its primary focus. Instead, Groth is the spot to go to when you want to find sheet music. I think there's still a lot of value in this despite e-commerce. A lot of times, the quality of sheet music isn't clear, especially for pop music. It's very useful to be able to look at the pages for yourself. I'm rating Groth 3 stars because no employee felt like greeting me. I was especially disappointed that the guy in the guitar section simply sat at his desk without even trying to engage me at all. He semi-grumpily said "let me know if you have any questions." I genuinely could've bought something, even a guitar, if he took the second to chat with me like many local music shop workers often do. Instead, I got Guitar Center-level service.

Sent me a used ocarina at new price, and it was damaged with scratches and pen marks all over it…read more Mailed in envelope with songbook already in soft case, no printed box or formed space. Currently trying to get refund and return, company ignoring my emails. Fuck Groth.

John is very knowledgeable and great to deal with! He carrys cool gear and brands that you don't…read morefind anywhere in else, certainly not in the Twin Cities. If you have pedal board woes or questions John is your guy! Highly recommended!

John is an amazing man with an amazing shop. I have bought 2 guitars, 4 basses and 5 pedals from…read morehim. The pricing is more than fair and the pedal selection is awesome! i drive from Chaska thru all the road construction to buy from Eclipse and it's worth it every time. Thank you, John

I would absolutely recommend St Paul School of Music. I personally found about it through Google…read moremany years ago, and other reviews/testimonials, that turned out to be very true. My teacher Rick, is not only a patient and innovative teacher but also is very open to suggestions. I love his style of teaching where I didn't have to start with Chords but simple popular tunes instead to keep things interesting. I also love the class levels that builds up in to different styles or picking/playing etc with increased difficulty level. I also appreciate the fact that Rick entertains some of my requests to keep it relevant. The studio itself is very acoustically well adjusted, so I can focus on my lessons. Bonus- you will be informed and invited to every guitar related fest/events happening in the twin cities, which can also help with the learning process. I have spent 5 years learning not only the process of playing a guitar but how to pick up on Western music since I am originally trained in Indian classical music. Rock on!

I have taken lessons from St. Paul School of Music for 2 years now. I have never picked up a…read moreguitar until 2 years ago at the age of 56. I have enjoyed working with Rick and have learned to play the guitar and music I love. If you are a beginner like me I highly recommend St. Paul School of Music.

The Good: easy and generous on street parking, funky/fantastic atmosphere, enthusiastic…read moreinstructors, easy to get lesson scheduled. The Bad: our instructor charged $52/hour, nearly twice the going rate for a 1 hour lesson, and he didn't take much time to find out what my son already knows. Assessment: this is a fine place for adults who are novice musicians, want to stay in the south Mpls neighborhood, and are cool with paying out a good chunk of change.

From the owner: The Music Lab is an independently owned music school in south Minneapolis founded by local music…read moredarlings Jillian Rae and Josie Just. Their vision of creating an inspiring space for teaching and learning music of all kinds, has blossomed into a community of active performing musicians and aspiring musicians of all ages. The Music Lab offers private musical instruction in most every instrument and style, and also has group programs available- such as Rock Lab (learn to play in a band), Grasshopper Lab (pre-K group music class, coming soon!) and our Summer Lab Camp (learn to play in a band/ensemble, record, and write original music). Students of all ages and ability levels are welcome! Music Lab hours vary daily and are set up 'by appointment' with each instructor/class. We accept cash, check, and online payments. (not credit card, technically bank-to-bank)