Just bought a digital piano (Roland F107) from Hilton Music store in Colonie Center and could not…read morebe more pleased! As a total piano novice and with limited space in my house, I wanted something compact but with full functionality - 88 key weighted keyboard, etc., and this fit the bill perfectly. Owner Bob Hilton worked with me and was terrific - pleasant, knowledgeable, and not pushy. We asked about delivery and turns out he lives not far from us so he delivered it himself on his way home that very same evening! Also very impressed with the sturdiness of the "console" that comes with the keyboard. I have it free-standing in a room (not enough wall space) and was concerned that my rambunctious cats would jump on it and knock it over - no worries after putting it together with the cover closed over the keyboard.

Occasionally we buy things here…read more There was a set of drum sticks. Some sheet music. We even bought a ukulele once. But mostly, we come here to browse. My son is really into music, but even more into music shops. And the staff at Hilton has been marvelous about encouraging his interest. Perhaps his favorite thing to do is sit down at the electric guitar pedal board and experiment with different pedals and settings. Should he ever want to pursue lessons, I might send him here for that too. It's certainly convenient. I'll also be bringing my own guitar there for new strings soon. Speaking of which, I found out that on Tuesday, August 11, Hilton is having "Restring Day" starting at 6pm. That means free strings. It's unlikely I'll be able to make it. But it's just another cool thing about the small mall music shop that could.

The Music Studio provides lessons in music fundamentals for children beginning at age 4 and group…read moreand private piano lessons for children through high school. There is also a limited adult learning program. My daughters started at The Music Studio at age 4 with music fundamentals that links musical games and activities to learning rhythms, notes and the very basics of keyboards. I don't think the kids realize they are learning as the group lessons are fun. After 2 years in fundamentals, the girls went on to creative keyboarding, which continues the group atmosphere but is focused on piano keyboarding; students are required to practice daily to support the in-class lessons. There is also a recital where students perform individually. After completing the 4 years of group instruction, some continue on to private lessons. The complexity of music pieces increases, and students have 3 recitals plus an evaluation where three pieces of music from different periods are performed for outside evaluators. The teachers are highly skilled and dedicated. All have bachelors or higher degrees in music and piano.

Eh, why not. I think I wasn't born for piano, so why give it only three when they really tried?read more

MDM did not put my daughter's feelings about her singing first. They did not listen to her when…read moreshe was trying to explain to them that a certain singing situation made her uncomfortable. I was so hoping that MDM would be a place where they cared about my daughter's singing and her confidence. Management did not follow up with issues or get back to me when I asked questions. Very sad situation and experience for our family.

Our family loves MDM! The staff are so friendly and approachable. I have had nothing but great…read moreexperiences since I sent my inquiry into vocal lessons. Ms. Nicole is such a patient, attentive, and professional coach. I love the diversity at the center; it makes it welcoming and comfortable. MDM also communicate with parents via a communication portal. I never knew how much I needed something like that until they sent me a video of my kiddo singing her first song. Had no idea that was gonna be a remember forever moment. I'm glad I have copies of it. Soooo affordable and very accommodating with online lessons to help support the community during Covid. Love what they are doing to keep us all safe! Thank you thank you!!

Both My girls have enjoyed piano lessons for over two years. Bryan is an amazing teacher, so well…read moreversed. They really look forward to their weekly lessons and concerts during the year! We are so grateful for GMA.

We started at Guilderland Music Academy in the Fall of 2017 when they first opened. The location…read moreis convenient and we have had a really great experience there. My daughter started with group piano lessons, and has moved to a private lesson. She is 8 and has enjoyed her lessons and her teachers. She doesn't always have a lot of an attention span, but she loves the lessons and stays engaged and interested in playing piano. We have had a couple different teachers, and they have all been great. During the lesson, parents sit outside the rooms, which have a glass window in front. There are chairs and tables to sit at, as well as Wi-Fi. One of the things I love about GMA is they communicate so well. They are easy to get in touch with and I always receive a friendly, prompt response. They have worked with me to change our class time when we had a conflict because of a change of our swim practice time and work through other scheduling questions. My daughter has learned a lot since she started her piano lessons, and she is enthusiastic about continuing. My other daughter will also be taking lessons there as well and we look forward to continuing at GMA.

Good selections on instruments for kids!…read more Great service! Much appreciated the help! Thank you!

I tripped on this shop by accident and decided to stop in and browse. The staff are friendly,…read moreknowledgeable and helpful and great to chat with. The store features a plethora of instruments, not the least of which are guitars (my passion), drums, and band and orchestra instruments. As with many ships, they have lessons. But they also host a monthly open mic (encouraging student, staff & customer participation) and an occasional informative jazz seminar (organized by their drum instructor and featuring professional musicians). This shop goes beyond a simple place for purchase.

In my fairly long experience, there are only two types of music stores…read more Type A, you walk in and you're looked at like you're a perp. If you look like you might even start thinking about taking an instrument down from the walls, you'll get a lecture about not touching the merchandise and a series of inquiries about whether you're a serious buyer or not. The staff may be knowledgeable, but they'll talk to you as if you're a mentally-challenged space alien who has never heard of a major chord or a scale and is need of being spoken to like a slow-witted dog. The prices are fixed, as if Moses had passed them down on an extra set of tablets from the mountain top, and any discussion of same is an apostasy that will quickly get you invited to get serious or get out. Type B, you walk in and the staff are already playing something. They check to see if you need help but will leave you alone to look if you say you're just looking. If you have a passing question about something, instead of answering it they'll pull down an instrument, give you a demonstration, and ask you to try it out. They'll talk to you frankly about the best place to buy X, Y, or Z and may point out the good features of what they have but are trying to match you up to whatever it is you need or are at the right stage for. They love music, maybe just a bit too much, but they love musicians even more, and they really love aspiring musicians. Hermie's is firmly in the Type B camp, and are going to be Cool about just about everything you can imagine. They know the scene, the area, the schools, the teachers, the bands, and they know their stuff. Prices are going to vary quite a bit, like they do at any instrument-oriented store, but as a working musician's place this is incredibly friendly towards the amateur and the student. The staff took time today to show my young musician a bunch of things he hadn't seen before on the guitar and lit a fire on inspiration in him. Honestly, I can't tell you whether you will get a good deal on X or Y here, relative to all the good deals in the universe. It's a small store, and they have more at the Albany location. It's a bit out of the way on the Jay walk in downtown Schenectady. But I've seen so many ***ho*es in the music business over the year I know by now how to tell what's what with the stores. Hermie's is good people.

I called Hermies with a single outrageous question "Would you be able to fit me in for a single…read moremusic lesson today?" I travel full time. I had one day in Schenectady. My boyfriend had taken his bass guitar on the road when he learned I had played cello as a kid. "It's really similar" he said. But I found myself unable to remember anything from playing music. 3 years of cello, a few months of trombone & piano, and 12 years of choir...but my brain seemed as good as having never done anything musical. Larry answered the phone and was both welcoming and confident that he could give me enough info to get me started. "Stop by anytime before 8pm". Around 2pm, I entered the shop and Larry greeted me just as warmly as on the phone. He checked out my travel bass & tuned it for me. I watched as his fingers whirled around the strings moving from fret to fret. I heard a little voice say "there's no way you're going to be able to do this again". I felt lost. Larry handed me the bass & walked me through a set of scales. I fumbled and hit the wrong string, or both strings at once, but I made it through. I went forward and then backward through the scales. It was awkward, but I did it. We'd chat a moment, he'd teach me something else about the bass, and like a good instructor "show me your scales again" and I would run through them forward & backward again. For fun, he taught me the bass line for Louie Louie. How can you not get tickled playing Louie Louie? That lesson was what I needed to get started and believe maybe I "can" learn this instrument. The previous review raved about Hermies. I'm a fan too. This is a must stop if you are thinking of picking up any instrument. Violin, Guitar, Cello, Bass, Flute or Sax. This is the place to go!

I'm a singer-songwriter and I've been at it for over 50 years. I visited Terry Flynn's studio and…read moreshow room recently, and purchased a 1926 Mason and Hamlin grand that had been totally restored by Terry and his amazing technicians. He was kind, patient and gracious - explaining each step and process. His technician,Marianka, took the time and care to pull the action and show me everything she had (lovingly) done on this piano. I purchased the Mason and Hamlin, trading my 6'3 Baldwin. Today, Terry and his wonderful staff delivered this gorgeous instrument to my home in Western Mass. The only thing more magnificent than this beautifully restored piano was the care they took in removing my Baldwin and setting up the Mason. Absolutely seamless and expert. I've moved the Baldwin several times in the last 31 years, and I've never seen movers with the skill and care that the Flynn group had. If you're looking for a piano company for tuning, restoration, repair or advise - Terry Flynn and company is a brilliant choice. I couldn't be happier.

Knowledgable, flexible, and friendly staff! Not only are they really dedicated to their craft, they…read moreare kind, patient, and understanding. A lovely profession championed by charming people. Thank you! - Tristan

What a perfect piano purchase experience. I accompanied my friend to buy a piano. She found Prosper…read morePianos and now she is a proud owner of a magnificent piano. Isaac was so helpful in helping her find her dream piano.

I can't imagine a better experience than buying a piano from Isaac at Prosper Pianos. I reached out…read moreon a whim after seeing a post about the business. Though we've wanted a piano for years, we had looked only casually before being struck by Isaac's philosophy: taking pianos and touching them up or even restoring them to sell to people across a wide range of budgets and skill levels. When I reached out, Isaac responded promptly, and we had a long conversation assessing what we were looking for in a piano. When we went to his shop, he explained the origin of the pianos he had and what made each different. He graciously let us try everything from a Baldwin spinet to a beautiful late-1800s Steinway (which he knew was NOT in our price range!). We ultimately settled on a warm Charles Walter upright, made by a smaller American company we hadn't been familiar with but that - - besides making great pianos - - has business values we appreciate as a bonus. The piano movers Isaac works with are excellent: they arrived promptly and carefully navigated the piano up several steps through a narrow entrance, in and out within fifteen minutes. Now we're beyond excited to have this beautiful piano sitting in our living room and highly recommend Isaac and Prosper Pianos.