I have been a member of Musicians Playground for over 5 and half years! I joined with the goal of…read morelearning piano while balancing a busy career, after having a taken a year of piano lessons many years ago. I had a passion for music and I just really hoped I could find a way to make it all work out with the rest of life. MP surely facilitated that. I started with group lessons and after several months transitioned to private lessons which better fit my work schedule. I have loved the entire journey, having had a handful of talented instructors along the way, each who taught me something I didn't know. I joined as a beginner pianist and in a couple weeks I will play a more complicated, 8 page song than I had ever imagined - I can truly reflect on how much my I've grown as a piano player while at MP. Alyssa, the founder, has cultivated an amazing community. She is always there for you when you need help. Rarely, if the schedule is not working or an instructor doesn't fit your personality, she'll quickly find the time to talk things through with you and suggest a solution to get things back on track for you. Learning an instrument isn't always easy, but you can always count on her being your biggest cheerleader on the musical journey to reach your goals. The Happy Hour performance nights happen every two months. These are a highlight of the MP experience. These evenings are so inspiring, whether you are a spectator or performing. I find that wanting to perform at Happy Hour and share my music motivates me to practice almost daily and continue to grow as a musician. You meet a number of interesting people who may just have started learning or may be superstars continuing to take lessons. Plus, the studio environment fosters your overall musical journey - how cool is it to spend your evening taking a lesson, while there are 4 other private lessons and a group session happening on the same floor. Indeed, learning piano at MP has been a huge part of my life - and I hope that this experience can hold true for you as well!

There are not a lot of recent reviews, so I thought I would add my experience in case it helps…read morepeople find what they need. I was excited to try piano lessons here but my experience was not client-centered. First, the person who connected with me about discussing what I need was going to call me on the phone but was inconsistent about scheduling. Then, although everybody was polite (if you discount my instructor asking me "no, but where are you *really* from"), the instructor I was matched with definitely did not start with where I was at and imposed their own perspective and agenda on me for how we would be learning because it's what they were familiar with. Also, during the lesson, the space was loud because people could be overheard singing. So, it was very difficult to hear the instructor and concentrate. Looking back, I think the person that I initially connected with to discuss what I was hoping for probably just wanted to make a sale instead of being straight up that perhaps what they had to offer did not match my needs.

I have to take the opportunity to write yet another review of Domenic and Third Floor Guitars. I…read moreimpulse purchased an extremely inexpensive partscaster Strat in candy apple red. I've always wanted a candy apple red Strat. The electronics were terrible, the nut was plastic, the action was way too high and the intonation was terrible, and the pickups were underpowered (they were crap, actually), but I knew from past experience that I could count on Domenic at Third Floor Guitars to turn it into a quality instrument. Once again, he didn't disappoint. He replaced the plastic nut with a Tusq nut, swapped out the pots with 3 CTS 250k pots, replaced the switch with a genuine Fender 5-way switch, replaced the jack with a Switchcraft jack, installed an Orange Drop 022 cap, and installed 3 genuine vintage1990s MIM Fender ceramic magnet pickups - and of course, a full setup. I played it tonight at my band's practive and everyone (including me) was amazed at how awesome it sounded. Honestly, it sounded as good as my 1978 Strat - maybe even better!

What an amazing service. Brought in a guitar that wasn't in the best shape and they did a…read moremagnificent job on getting it playing beautifully. 10/10 will always come back here for any work.

if you are looking for great service, good prices and classic folk instruments, look no further.read more

My guitar duet partner and I purchased 5 acoustics from these guys throughout the 90s. We also both…read moreplayed classical guitar guitars and are serious players. We went in there the last time to check out classical guitar and we're treated so rudely we never went back. I was astonished And I should say every time that I bought a guitar there I felt uncomfortable. but at the time they were really the only game in town for Taylor guitars. I don't know if it's changed, but I heard that the guy that used to work at the front is part of ownership so I'm not sure anything's changed. The individual was not particularly friendly. I felt sorry for him in a way - kind of a dour dude. I hope for new folks going there it has warmed up a bit. i'm a southern boy and not originally from Massachusetts but it get kind of cold up here if you know what I mean.

True Music Studios is fantastic! I highly recommend voice lessons with Jeanne. She is a phenomenal…read morecoach, and has a wonderful way of incorporating very helpful breathing and vocal techniques into the lesson that have allowed me to find my own voice and continue to improve as a vocalist. As someone who had never taken voice before, I couldn't have picked a better studio and teacher to learn from. Thank you!

Loved the space! They have multiple live rooms, a large control room, and a vocal isolation booth…read more We recorded some music along with a podcast. The recording engineers were really talented and easy to work with

My fiancé Darlene and I took 2 voice lessons with Nora through zoom due to the pandemic. It was a…read moregreat experience, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot. Nora was a great teacher that did a great job explaining concepts and providing concise feedback on how we can improve. I appreciate how patient she was with a beginner like myself and also the helpful exercises she introduced us. It was a great experience, we had a lot of fun and learned a lot. I highly recommend taking a voice lesson with Nora!

My lessons with Nora have been transformative and empowering. Nora helped me to tune in to my inner…read morevoice and sensations during singing. Having awareness of my body, breath, and voice has been crucial in my learning process. After lessons, I felt whole, balanced, and at peace. I also enjoyed the playful nature of singing lessons with Nora as I learned fun and playful singing techniques. I highly recommend lessons from WholeTone Music Academy!

Karen was nice, but didn't really seem to know the instrument she was teaching me. I took just one…read morepaid lesson (a free trial lesson wasn't an option). I get the impression she's primarily a voice teacher, and can in general, understand anything musical, and therefore she claims to teach it all.

I called Karen to ask if she could teach me to play the mountain dulcimer, letting her know that I…read more(a retiree) have minimal musical knowledge, play no instrument, and have no singing ability. Since the first lesson, Karen has been an enthusiastic and encouraging guide, leading me to understand the instrument and various playing techniques, how to practice, and what to focus on. She has also followed up on my questions by teaching me enough music theory at each step to make it all make sense. She is fun and motivating.

Amazing. A true musicians resource. Everyone is helpful k owed able and friendly. Any musician at…read moreany level will be pleased with the service and care they will receive here.

I bought an instrument from them on Reverb…read more I even agreed to buy a used gig bag they had on their site for $20, since the electric sitar that I purchased didn't have one The next morning, an hour before the store opens, "Paul" tells me to hold off on buying the gig bags because they can't find the instrument that I bought! He suggested I put in for a refund. I was not going to be the one to break the deal and I told him I was not interested in a refund, I wanted the instrument they sold me and was bought and paid for. A short time later, Paul tells me they looked all over and can't find it and sent me a refund anyway. They had the instrument when they took pictures of it and posted it on a Reverb two months prior! It was an oddball Electric Sitar/Guitar Did they think it might be rare or a prototype? Did someone offer them more money? Did they keep it for themselves? Did an employee steal it? I asked them to check with all of their employees and any surveillance footage, sales records, etc. If I had a music store and an instrument was missing, I would be raising heck! Especially something already sold, bought and paid for by a customer! I will never deal with this place again and I hope that no one does. Do so at your own risk!

The staff and teachers are very friendly. There are lots of opportunities to perform. And my…read moredaughter was able to learn a range of instruments. The idea of playing in the band as soon as you learn an instrument is really excellent.

From the owner: School of Rock provides both in-person and online music lessons for students of all ages. Our…read moreprograms, camps and workshops for toddlers, kids, teens and adults make learning to play music fun and create great communities of musicians. School of Rock is the leader in performance-based music education. We combine one-on-one drum, bass, keyboard, vocal, and guitar lessons with group practices. Students learn to play music from day one and put on live performances at local venues. Our experienced instructors are local musicians themselves who combine the performance-based School of Rock Method and programs with individual music lessons to get results for your student.

James the owner is a peach! We rented a baby grand from East Cambridge Piano for a fundraiser…read moreconcert and needed him to tune a second piano. He came in with the best price and the bonus was that he knew the guys at the venue we were using and was able to coordinate timing with them. Yay! I definitely recommend him for your piano needs. Plus he is a Berklee grad!

An electric piano we use for our church services had a key that started sticking. East Cambridge…read morewas the second place I called, recommended by another shop who didn't really want to look at it. I almost tried to take it apart myself after watching YouTube videos that said it's usually just dust inside, but I'm really glad I didn't. James knew immediately what the problem was just by looking at the keyboard before taking it apart (he could see a slightly bigger gap between that key and the next; something I couldn't see even when he pointed it out). He took it apart and showed me a crack in the key in question. He replaced the key while I waited and it was good as new. It was a very reasonable price as well. He also met me downstairs at the loading dock with a cart and we rode up on the freight elevator. I now have a go-to place if we ever need another repair. Incidentally, he said he sometimes gets people who bring him a box of parts because they took their piano apart after watching YouTube but couldn't fix it or put it back together. James said the problem is hardly ever dust.