Fiat Music has been serving Pinole for a very long time. I remember their old location in the same location. Fiat has been in Pinole since Lucky was there and with Traders Joe it is still in business. I never took lesson at Fiat but I have gotten piano music sheets and information on piano. The woman that owns Fiat is very nice. Fiat Music Co serving Pinole for a long time and is a historic landmark. read more

I really love this shop. It is all the history of the valleys music in one small spot. However, the parking is terrible for the whole shopping center, and while the hours of the store are fantastic, they need to get a better organization system for returning instruments that have been worked on. They did fantastic work on my guitar and for a good price, but I had to go three times after my guitar had been fixed, and even then they could not find the receipt to give me information on how much it was (even though I had my copy of the receipt), and at least once they refused to return my guitar, even though I could see it behind the counter only because they could not find the receipt. I wish nothing but the best for the store and I will definitely be back because of its fantastic service for instruments and lessons for music enthusiasts. I just wish they had a better organizational system for the tickets. read more

I started coming here for recorder when I was about 7 years old ever since then I fell in love with the place they make you really believe that you can do anything with music the same people have been working there for ever. I currently now go there for bass I've had the same teacher for about 5 years now he's pretty cool. read more

I just made a appointment for guitar lessons with Fiat. Nice nice people. They accommodated my schedule and they are very reasonable.

I tried to start my child to do piano classes twice at this location but never received a call back after filling out their form at their store. read more

We sent our 11-year son for guitar lessons. Everything was fine until we had to re-schedule for one of our lessons. Apparently the store didn't get the message to the instructor and the instructor got really angry with my wife and yelled at her while our kids were present - it was pretty bad that she had to leave since he didn't calm down. My wife called the store later and found out from an employee that happens quite a bit at this store. However, my wife inform them that the instructor's behavior is not acceptable and that we want our money back (you have to prepay each month). The owner woman was quite rude about writing a check (can't credit back in this age?). Anyway, they seriously lack control over instructors and need better organization. It's a literally a mom and pop music store. read more

Pathetic Just walked in for a speaker cable in a pinch and the grey haired old curmudgeon behind the counter peaked up over his readers at me annoyed to be interrupted from his iPad and completely clueless as to what a speaker cable is. Points to some guitar cables and goes "we got this stuff" and I tell him that's probably not the right thing and goes back to ipadding with a grumble. Don't care that they don't have what I need in there dingy lil mom and pop dusthole The guy was a grumpy ol prick who couldn't lift a finger to pretend he knew what customer service is. In this age of internet music lessons and retail this store is screwed. He reminds me of the grade school music teacher who made everyone hate music. Thanks for helping the cause, dick. read more

I have a four and half year old daughter who wanted to play piano. Fiat is local, and I heard mixed things about the establishment, although I decided I should develop my own opinion and enroll her. That was four months ago and my daughter still plays with Miss. Stephanie who is by far the most amazing piano teacher at Fiat! Her teaching techniques are simple, to the point and she really connects with the students. We absolutely love her! Other than the teacher, the facility is okay, lots of interesting music items, instruments, materials. The administration there is pretty chaotic. It always seems like there's papers everywhere, but they keep track of everything--I give them that. Lucas, one of the guys at the front desk is always so nice! He greets everyone who walks in, and is always there to answer any and all questions. Bottoms line---Miss. Stephanie & Lucas are awesome. read more

Quaint and wonderful locally owned business for more than 40 years. Fiat Music holds the key to your child's next success. Ranging in a good variety of teachers and methods. Fiat is very reasonably priced to other schools. Recitals held at Christmas and Easter your child or you can perform in their first concert. Let us help you become proficient. read more

Locally owned spot that's a hub for the music education scene in Pinole, and the I-80 corridor. Extraordinarily helpful and kind staff, they have a great selection of guitar accoutrements to keep a player happy and equipped. In a great location for you to stop by your music shop after some grocery shopping, this is a great neighborhood spot that is serving this community well. As long as you can find parking ; ) read more

Fiat = Enlightenment in... Fiat Music. Enlightenment in Music. Sounds good. Being a young musician (I'm 14), I have come to know and love my place in Fiat. I started playing guitar over there in October of 2007 and I'm still there. The individual teachers vary with the student. Most likely, you will be put with a teacher that has the same music tastes as you. I strongly recommend the Fiat Music Co. for any aspiring musician, be it young or old, male or female, it doesn't matter. At first, Fiat may seem crowded (I apologize to anyone that I've whacked with my guitar, be it electric or acoustic), but it becomes easier to maneuver around with each visit. Also, books used in teaching are included in the following bill. Instruments can be bought at the location, or you can bring your own. If a teacher is not going to be present the following week, a reminder is told to the student at the lesson before. Have a great day. :D read more

In 2015, I had just graduated high school without any plans for the future. Feeling like I was wasting my time, I decided to take piano lessons since I had taken a piano class during my time in high school. Having enrolled here nearly 10 years before for flute lessons, I decided to take lessons at Fiat Music. I was paired with Charles Jenner and since then I have become infatuated with not only piano but with music as a whole. Not only does Charles have an extensive background in piano, the way Charles teaches is absolutely phenomenal as well: he's polite; has a wonderful sense of humor and has an incredible knowledge of piano technique, methodology, and history. He teaches at a pace best for the student and he does so with sheer optimism. To my understanding, Fiat Music Co. has an amazing repertoire of teachers to select from, many of which have reputable backgrounds in music. Although I am able to say Fiat has great teachers, I am unsure of the products for sale considering I have not purchased anything from the store. To those concerned about the owner watching individuals browsing the store, bare in mind how common it is for people to come into the store and touch the instruments only to break them, especially since the store is located near a public high school; I've seen someone walk into the store and violently pluck the strings of an instrument causing them to snap. If you are ever contemplating taking lessons of any kind, I would highly recommend Fiat Music. read more

I took my daughter's guitar in there on Friday morning and told them I needed one string replaced and the entire guitar tuned. I was very specific. They said they'd call me when it was ready the next day. No one called. Finally, late on Sunday, I called them and found it was ready. They didn't tune it, not even the string they changed. My daughter was without her guitar for three days and it still needs to be tuned. We won't be returning. I am editing this to add that we can get all the strings but the one they replaced to tune. I'm not sure if it's the wrong string or put on wrong. read more

Over priced lessons and instruments. You will be paying 500 bucks for an old used guitar that you can get brand new from guitar cent for 100 bucks. They are ok for lessons but over priced. DO NOT buy any kind of instrument from here! Order form musiciansfriend.com or goto guitarcenter read more

Unfortunately I don't remember the exact year I began to take piano lessons at Fiat but it had to be around 1999/2000. I took lessons from Charles Jenner, who after my very first lesson, surprised me very much. I have been taking piano lessons since I was 6 years old, and am now almost 20 so I had taken lessons at a previous music school (that I will not name, of course) and I was used to just being given the music and playing it. This was not the case with Charles. Yes, he does choose what music I will play but he doesn't just plop it down in front of me to play. He actually teaches me how to play music the way it is meant to play; that is with the correct arm movements, and most importantly, learn and understand the harmonies. In addition, I like how he chooses classical music to play, such as Schumann and Bach, just to name a few, but also appreciate how open-minded he is. He invites me to bring any pieces I'd like help with playing and provides feedback to perfect the piece. I stopped taking piano lessons with Charles in I believe 2005/2006, which I regret and hence, just recently started taking lessons with him again a couple of months ago. I am so happy to say that I still remember a majority of what I learned through the years. This shows that Charles is a wonderful instructor, since I don't remember everything I'm taught, especially after so many years. During lessons, he also tells stories of his past with are always inspiring and humorous. I swear that those thirty minute lessons always seem to fly by.. I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun. If you're from the area and looking to take piano lessons or know someone who is, I would highly recommend paying Fiat a visit and meeting Charles Jenner. He's patient, funny, knowledgeable, and always gives you words of encouragement that keeps you wanting to play music. Being almost 20 and having the opportunity to still take piano lessons is wonderful and I hope that by reading this review, you know that it's never too late to take on something you've always wanted to try. Come to Fiat and I promise you won't regret it! read more

I remember going to Fiat since I was a child and leaving right before college. I had two teachers while I was there, Balinda who was my violin teacher, and Charles who was my piano teacher. Both of them were magnificent teachers who were of the utmost quality teachers, and were very kind people. Though Balinda no longer works there since she married and moved back to England many years ago, and Charles seems to be still going strong, this school has left its mark within my heart and soul. I'll never forget this place. If I were to choose just one thing, one thing that this place has taught me, it would have to the fact that they taught me what emotion and motivation truly is. read more

I went on a FRIDAY LATE EVENING to ask for classes, they gave me a sheet to see availability. Filled my info, and boom Monday morning I was getting a called to find out which instrument I wanted to play.. and the same day I got a call confirming with my availability to begin guitar classes with Tony.. very very plodded with their responses team. read more

I took guitar lessons from Greg Montgomery in about 1979. I was in a new place and didn't have anything else to do. Greg showed me his concert with Stormin' at the Concord Pavillion and a couple of other places. I used to really wow at how well he could play the guitar and it used to cost $15.00 just to learn a few notes. read more

Great price on piano lessons! They also do vocal and other instruments. The piano instructor for my daughter; Ms.Beth is amazing. She makes the lessons fun and keeps her engaged. My daughter looks forward to her lessons each week with Ms. Beth and I plan on purchasing a piano/key board for her soon. The store also carries a lot of cool stuff, old and new for musical junkies. read more

My daughter has been getting piano lessons for a few moths now and she loves it. Great teachers and very inexpensive. Fiat music is doing great things for the community teaching music to our children. Keep up the great work! Music makes the world go round! read more

I love this funky little shop. My daughter has been taking piano lessons for over a year, and she has learned so, so much. We were unhappy with her first teacher, but were able to switch teachers with no fuss and love her current teacher, Karen. I love that the shop seems like it is lost in time, it really reminds me of the funky little place I used to go to for lessons when I was a kid. Everyone involved there seems to love music for its own sake, and I often hear the teachers playing beautiful songs on their own while they wait for their next lessons. It seems like a perfect place to inspire love of music and true musicianship, instead of just learning to play by rote. It's convenient to drop off my daughter and pop over to Trader Joe's or Peet's while she plays, and the rates are very, very reasonable. read more

Cheapest lessons anywhere I know of at $20 a lesson, and that does not imply low quality. Quite the reverse : very high quality instructors. My classical guitar teacher is Ben Barron, a Masters graduate of the SF Conservatory of music. My vocal instructor, Chie, is into show tunes, but is adept in everything from Led Zeppelin/Robert Plant to Rogers and Hammerstein. Both instructors are world class performers and teach from early school age to adult. I don't know where else you have access to teachers of this caliber for so cheap. Historically, Fiat Music has been around since I was a teen back in the 70's. The store itself is dated and cluttered, and they lack modern things like discussion boards for the students/teachers. But they got it where it counts : high quality instruction at bargain basement prices ! Mrs. Fiatrone still owns/runs the store and keeps the lessons dirt cheap just because she wants music available to the masses. So, if you can tolerate an old fashioned, cluttered up store, run by by nice old folks, then this is the place to get excellent lessons with world class teachers for unbelievably low prices. read more

Was having late lunch with my Pops one day and ended up talking about wanting to learn a new instrument. Knowing him when it comes to music, especially learning something new, he's on board. Coincidentally, this place is right next door to where we were so we decided to just browse. I saw a cute Ukulele and just mentioned it out loud how adorable it was (it's white with pink hearts, I had a girly moment) so he bought it! Plenty of cool guitars, pianos and other instruments. They also offer lessons and the pricing on the instruments weren't too expensive. read more

NOT A BIG BOX. I recently discovered this place when I needed a minor tune-up for my tenor sax. It's almost in a time warp...like being back in middle school in the 60's, with drum and clarinet sounds coming out of tiny 'soundproof' practice rooms, and grown up staff who actually know music and musical instruments... The tune-up was inexpensive and effective, and if I lived closer, I'd definitely be checking out their instruction. I had the same reaction as 'Victoria H.': with music education disappearing from most public schools, it is great to see centers like Fiat thriving! read more

Got a great price on a classical guitar here they were very friendly have lots of knowledge and the ability for multiple types of teaching and learning of instruments. read more

i was so disappointed with the guy who assisted us when we went there to buy my first guitar he was not friendly at all. after i purchase my guitar instead of grabbing my guitar and give the guitar to me (costumer service) i have to grab it myself. he did not give me a guitar case until we asked him and take note it's not a cheap guitar. please improve your costumer service and be approachable with your costumer super disappointed. not 1 rating if only i can choose 0 i will. read more

After a wonderful experience with a young man named Daniel, who taught my son cello lessons for six months, I thought we had found our spot for music lessons. We just got back from my son's second cello recital with a lady named Harriet who has been his teacher for about two months. She confirmed the time to arrive with both me and my husband. When we arrived, she met us at the door as she was leaving and looked shocked. She mumbled some garbage about being "given such a late slot for her students" and scurried back in to get the few parents and children remaining to stay for my sons performance. He was devastated, embarrassed and started to cry. We will not be going back. read more

I started lessons here as a teenager. I quit, went to college, moved to another state, and came back 20 years later. The same teacher I had when I was young, Charles Jenner was still there. I am back with him again for piano, violin, and voice lessons. I only wish I had the maturity to appreciate his skill and love of music when I was younger. read more