Rick is an absolute gem of a teacher, incredibly knowledgeable and gives the most gentle and kind…read moreencouragement out there. I come all the way from Columbia county because it's just that good, I've learned a lot already since I started working with him in January. The scheduling is also incredibly flexible and his rates are incredibly reasonable!! Highly recommend.

I absolutely adore working with Rick. He's a true joy to work with in every way…read more Rick is so special. He is an amazing, thoughtful, caring person, who happens to be an amazing guitar teacher. He has the patience of a saint, a great sense of humor, and is a joy to work with. Beyond that, he is super well organized, caring, and really helps me learn and grow as a guitarist. I would recommend him highly to absolutely anyone who wants to learn guitar from the best.

We could not be happier with our experience at LHDA. Cyrus is a great instructor and a wonderful…read moreperson. He oozes a passion for drumming, which rubs off onto his students. Our daughter just completed her first year of lessons and is able to join in with family and friend jam sessions at home. The field trips and recitals at LHDA add to the total experience. I love watching my child progress both in her abilities as a drummer, and in her love for drums and music in general. Quality lessons at unbeatable prices with a talented, caring, kind, encouraging teacher. What more could you ask for?

Cyrus at LHDA is a great teacher. He is patient and kind. You can tell he loves drumming and kids…read more My 7 year old loves him. He learned a lot from him and quickly! I highly recommend him for anyone who is looking for drum classes for their child.

Adrian is an outstanding teacher. He's helped me progress from playing clumsy chords on the couch…read moreto confidently playing with others at song circles and get togethers. Highly recommend!

Chris is a great guitar teacher. Very knowledgeable and encouraging. I have been learning a lot…read morefrom him even as an advanced player.

Chris is an awesome teacher! He is so positive and encouraging. I chose him for my guitar teacher…read moreafter reading his introduction on yelp. He truly has a gift for playing AND teaching! He packs each lesson with as much instruction and practice as possible. He provides a folder and has handouts for everything including a weekly practice plan which is so helpful. All in all: very organized, enthusiastic and a natural teacher.

Cool shop, great selection of gear and super knowledgeable and helpful staff members. Highly…read morerecommend.

Less than one I feel sick to my stomach…read more This is my experience. The ego often makes a shop owner see themselves as vying with the customer rather than serving them. The ego often makes a shop owner see themselves as competing with the customer rather than serving them. In conclusion, when a shop owner's ego becomes the primary motivator, they may "dismiss" the customer to safeguard their self-image and sense of authority. This behavior often contradicts the classic notion that "the customer is always right." Instead, it reflects a pride that purportedly aims to create a comfortable, dignified environment. However, this approach lacks genuine substance, as it is built on flawed assumptions that undermine core principles of customer service.  Upon entering the establishment, I was separated from others and treated in a manner I believe would not occur outside this context. Specifically, I felt infantilized when I was informed that employers had complained about me for asking for deals. The feedback I received was vague and poorly articulated. However, one allegation shared was that I allegedly threw objects at staff members. This situation is unlikely ever to occur, particularly given that I felt my conversation went well. The irony was that, after I paid the full price for the installment, I was reprimanded for inquiring about a discount. This response can be seen as a manifestation of perceived disrespect; when customers do not exhibit the level of deference expected by the business owner, the owner may prioritize personal pride over financial gain. The proprietor of Hank's Music has requested that I refrain from visiting the establishment in the future unless I fully grasp the protocol regarding pricing negotiations for their pre-owned instruments. It is crucial to avoid discussing the possibility of negotiating the listed price, especially in the presence of customers and employees. A shop owner's ego can sometimes lead to reactions that prioritize personal pride over business acumen, particularly when considering the perceived value of instruments, as many musicians receive only a fraction of their instruments' value when trading them in or purchasing them outright. When operating from a place of ego, owners may misinterpret customer feedback or inquiries as personal affronts rather than constructive business interactions. This is ironic, given that I previously sold instruments to their establishment, thereby providing them with the opportunity to profit from those sales. In such scenarios, emotional responses can overshadow the potential benefits of engaging customers in a more transactional, less personal manner. I will not provide justification, engage in debate, defend my choices, or offer explanations regarding my actions. My dissatisfaction with the guitar has reached a point where I regret entering the store and making any purchases. Consequently, I have resolved to withdraw my support for this establishment and will not return in the future. I am sick to my stomach.

I was VERY impressed with my visit to Centaur Guitar! Selection is HUGE (much larger than one…read morewould expect when looking at it from the outside), the staff is EXTREMELY knowledgeable, helpful, and friendly, and prices are LOW. They carry a huge variety of electric guitars, acoustic guitars, amplifiers, and accessories. They also offer setup and repair services. They sell both new and used items. Their used items were unanimously in extremely great condition, and did not appear to be used. A few things to note if you visit: *There is a small, private parking lot *The entrance on the building that is on the same side of the gate as the parking lot is not actually for Centaur Guitar, it is for an amplifier repair service that shares the building. *The entrance for Centaur Guitar is on the street side of the building, past the parking lot gate. *To enter, one must ring the doorbell, and an employee will open the door to let you in *There are no centaurs available for sale

What a great place! I start my guitar class tonight and I completely spaced on procuring a guitar…read moreuntil today. I forgot the name of the kind person who helped me. They took the time to go over several guitars with me so that I walked out with something that was usable, nice sounding and not intimidating. I can't wait to use my new guitar tonight.

Full disclosure- I am not a musician and I don't know anything about drums so I can't comment on…read morethe quality of the selection or the knowledge of the staff in that regard but popped in to get a new pair of concert ear buds before a show. The lovely human working that day was so kind and helpful. As someone who is making an effort to buy things at locally owned places instead of big box retailers, I appreciated that while they did not have a large selection they did have some variation and the $20 pair I bought was much cheaper than what you see online and they worked so well. So if you ever find yourself in Portland for a show and need a pair- Rhythm Traders has you covered.

I can't say enough great things about Rhythm Traders! I was helped by two different employees who…read moreenabled me to close deals on a used cymbal stand and used hardware case. Being a musician and writer, I'm always on a tight budget, so I appreciate their recommendations.

Eric is the best. I look forward to my lessons with him every time. I leave my lesson super pumped…read moreand motivated every time. He makes playing the drums more fun and provides the right songs and exercises to get better. He's kind, caring and fun to be around.

Eric has been teaching out 11-year-old son for two years now and it's been amazing watching our…read moreson's progress. Lots of fun watching him play along to great rock songs. Eric does a really good job of mixing up drumming exercises with learning fun songs so things don't get start to feel like a grind (something that goes along with learning to do anything difficult). We highly recommend Eric!