I started taking cello lessons again with Mannfried Funk, a former Seattle Symphony member. He's…read moregot a great teaching space in his home on Phinny ridge but also makes house calls. He's a super likable guy and very patient. Something I need to get up on YouTube is his comical dog - who literally sings along when he's playing (stops after a bit - it's not a distraction). If you're looking for a Cello teacher in Seattle (or the Eastside) I'd highly recommend him. You can reach him via email at MKFS381@AOL.com

"Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe."…read more --Honest Abe For all those about to bust orchestral maneuvers (in the dark or otherwise), get ready to sharpen your axe. My son's first cello lesson with Mannfried Funk (my friend exclaimed that this is the best musical name a person could have, bar none, and he's dead-on!), began with an almost entirely visual assessment of where he was at skillwise, as evidenced by his physical relationship to the cello. In about 45 seconds, Mannfried had it all dialed in. My kid has always been running to catch up. He started orchestra a year behind the flock in his first school, then 2 years behind the excellent and more intensive Eckstein orchestra (which rehearses daily). In each case, he caught up, and in each case was Most Improved. But all that hustling to "learn the music" meant he never "learned the cello." Mannfried makes this important distinction, and it's incredibly astute. He took one look at everything: posture, limbs, sweep of the bow, and--not unkindly--told him to just put the cello down for a while. It was an awesome lesson. An abnormally long lesson. They talked about physics and gravity, about proaction and reaction, about efficiency, conservation of energy, and minimization of effort. He had Maximo stand up, then return to the chair and position himself with the cello no less than five times to reinforce the muscle memory of what will be an entirely new, more efficient posture. This guy knows his shit backwards and forward. And let's not forget his SINGING DOG. He said that for a while he'd sequester the dog upstairs to keep him from singing along, but he'd still hear him up there, disconsolate and humming. But the lesson. Every student could and should have this kind of a foundation, and truthfully no group instructor will ever have the time and resources (and many would never have the intimate knowledge themselves) to impart this kind of an education--it approached the metaphysical. There are talented practitioners, and there are talented teachers, and they're not always the same people. I'm sure this guy can play like a house on fire, but christ on a cracker, has he got a genius for teaching. He doesn't talk down or patronize, nor is he gruff or the stern taskmaster. He is a persuasive, knowledgeable clinician with an intuitive, and highly prescriptive approach. Not only am I thrilled we've found him, I'm considering reinitiating lessons myself. I could not recommend him more highly to any student at any stage of their musical evolution. And for beginners, a few sessions with him ought to be mandatory.

I recently found one of my old brass instruments, the trumpet in storage and recognized the valves…read morewere stuck after a decade of sitting, never been professionally cleaned ever, just needed a good service and Seattle Sound Repair came through. 1. I called ahead to ask if I can bring in my trumpet for an estimate for services. 2. I got there, got an estimate for services. I was also informed that I would be notified if the cost would be greater. 3. I did get a phone call that the trumpet for the most part was done but there were other issues (which I knew existed when I first had it over two decades ago) which could be resolved but it'd cost extra. I agreed to it. I figured if I'm going to get it serviced, I should just pay to get it serviced in full and the right way. The communications were timely and transparent. Looking around the place reminds you of a music store Mr. Rogers would have visited. I'm happy there is a brick-and-mortar shop that still performs this craft of repairing instruments. Also, out of all the years I've played this old Yamaha trumpet, it never played so great as it does now. It pays to have a professional service. Of note, best time to go here is in the morning if you drive because there's a good chance you'll find free 2 hour parking.

Marie does great work, in timely fashion, and charges a very fair rate…read more This is the only shop in town that I trust with my horn.

Aaron has been working on my guitars for a year and a half!…read more From the first time we met, he was warm, professional and knowledgeable, I am a Professional Performing Musician. I used to have my work done at Mike Lulls Guitar Works. When Mike passed, I was desperately looking for a Luthier. When Aaron told me that apprenticed under Mike, I was overjoyed!!! When I initially took my first guitars to Aaron, it was to do some minor "Tweaks". After seeing AND feeling the quality of his work, I ended up taking all of my "Immediate Rotation" of guitars for him to work on!! In closing, Aaron was ALWAYS fair and accommodating. I am still taking my instruments to him! Simply put..... A GREAT LUTHIER!!! Thanks Aaron all of your hard work!!! Craig Coleman

awesome service with no wait and great value $$$ ,,,and a fun time hanging out while he works!read more

There are really cool four string guitars and ukuleles, all of which can be plugged in to your…read morefavorite amp. Sweet. They are made from cigar boxes, and one was made from a lunch box. Very cool. Playing them without plugging them in makes them very quiet. So you can play them in places where they might not appreciate you plugging it in and turning it up, like maybe your apartment at 2 AM. My only thing is that there are as yet no Tenor Ukuleles. (insert sad face here) I would definitely buy one if there were, but then again I may just get impatient and buy a concert scale uke. There are 6 string versions of the guitar too, but he didn't have any at the market.

The guy selling the guitars has poor customer service skills. Very sarcastic. I would not buy…read moreanything from him.

Dropped off a Stratocaster that desperately needed a set-up. Paris Patt was friendly and very…read moreprofessional. I have fallen back in love with this guitar as it now plays like a dream. It is so awesome to have a high quality guitar luthier in this area. They also have a really nice selection of guitars for sale. Highly recommend.

Paris is a pro! He has restrung a guitar and Mandolin for me and really good at his craft! Timely…read moreas well!

Took my guitar to Ross Guitars for a pickup swap and a full setup for down-tuning. Darren even had…read moreto route the body to get the new pickups in, and the craftsmanship was top-notch. As someone who had never had a professional setup done before, the difference in action and overall playability blew me away. I can't recommend Ross Guitars enough for any guitar tech work.

Darren @ Ross Guitars has now setup two of my guitars. One of which, a Breedlove, my teacher had…read moredescribed as unplayable. It's now my favorite instrument, and sounds absolutely amazing. I'm having to recalibrate just how little pressure I need to put on the strings. I now realize I've spent years struggling to play a poorly setup guitar, and playing a guitar that is set up well has lifted my playing to a whole different level. Darren knows his stuff, is responsive and reasonably priced. A good setup via Darren is a great investment.

Awesome job cleaning, tuning and restoring our over 60 year petite grand piano! Very…read moreprecise,knowledgeable and personable. So happy with the result!

James was such a pleasure to work with. My experience could not have been any better. He was…read moreprofessional, personable and I would highly recommend him to anyone. He took the time to explain to me what could be done and what my options were. It is clear that repairing pianos isn't just his job but is his passion. I feel blessed to have found him.

I am delighted that I found the Sesame Street Music Studio about three months ago…read more Once I connected with the owner, Christine Kastanopolous, I knew she was the perfect piano teacher for me. I am going to go all the way out and say that I think she is the perfect piano teacher for anyone young or old, novice or expert. Chris' education and teaching background is beyond impressive. Trained at the prestigious Boston Conservatory, holds educational degrees and national certifications, has decades of experience teaching music and music theory. Yup, she is amazing. For me though, while her credentials elevate her to "heads above" others that I researched, it is only a part of what's important. I take hour long, one on one, private lessons each week at Chris' beautiful studio in Silverdale. Chris seems to truly be in her element when teaching. She consistantly allows me to be serious and steady, yet to go at a pace comfortable for me (while gently nudging me foward) and encouraging me to laugh along the way. It's magical. Although I am an older adult, and complete beginner, Chris has been providing me with piano education and lessons in a way that matches my level and has already proven to me that it is super cool to learn to read music and play piano. I highly recommend that if you are in the Kitsap County area, and want to start, brush up, or get your piano playing groove back, check out Sesame Street Music Studio. I bet you too will find Chis to be warm, knowledgeable, professional, skilled, and a whole lot of fun. I am a total novice at everything to do with music (except dance) but am getting better and better each day. Thank you, Chris!

We met for the initial meeting. My 6 year old was being an energetic six year old. The thing that…read morereally got me upset was the teacher grabbing her forcefully by the arm pulling my 6 year old up to her face to yell at her. We immediately left. This really bothered us that in the initial meeting she would put her hands on my child and yell at her. I absolutely do not recommend this teacher for kids.