I have also been one of Martan's piano students for several years. I can tell you that Martan has…read moremany talents. First, he's a busy and in-demand performing musician; various venues, solo, backing, and ensemble settings. So whether you just want to entertain yourself or you want to (or already do) perform for others, he can share a wealth of knowledge regarding performance skills. Second, he's a skilled teacher of music theory and piano technique at every level from beginner to professional. If you're at a beginning level, he'll start you off right with a solid foundation. If you already play, he'll help you progress faster and farther. And you'll always have a clear vision of where you are and where you're going on your musical journey. Third, he's an amazingly-creative musician. He's a master at improvisation, and even better, he can teach you how to improvise also. Not just playing a few licks, but real, meaningful improvisation. It's not just for those "who were born with it". Fourth (and to me most impressive), he's wonderfully gifted at teaching how think of music as a language, in order to express meaning and emotion through your playing. Whether you're improvising or playing written pieces, this is the critical difference between "sounding like everyone else" and finding your own sound.

Martan is the comsummate professional. His music is creative and inspiring. I have been an audience…read moremember at his gigs and he is thoroughly entertaining. He's also accompanied me on the piano for my singing gigs and is wonderful to work with. He's a top-notch musician who doesn't take himself too seriously and has no ego to get in the way. Martan is the best!

My son and I both take private lessons at Sharp. I am studying voice with Sydney and my 11 year old…read moreboy studies drumming with Elliott. I just love what we are both learning! Low-pressure, high-attention to detail. Just my style. Sydney is really helping me, a 50 year old woman who NEVER SANG and would never dream of doing it in front of anyone, find my natural voice and it's starting to sound pretty good! I also like that Elliott plays accopaniment to Sebastian's drumming so they are making music together that gets him excited beyond the basics. They also have a beautiful location.

I study singing with Sydney and my 11 year old studies drumming with Elliott. We love our lessons!…read moreThey are both so knowledgeable and encouraging. I have studied with many teachers of performing arts over the years and these are very special teachers! Beautiful location,too!

In my opinion he ripped me off. Charged me 9 k for a guitar that doesn't stay in tune and after 2…read moreweeks wouldn't give me my money back. I asked him how he knew it was Brazilian Rosewood and he said because I say it is. A couple of months later I noticed he posted on his website. I'm not like Guitar Center. I can't refund products within 30 days.. I rarely play it

My guitar is simply beautiful and every teacher I have had has been very impressed. The sound from…read morethis guitar is so rich, deep and gorgeous. It's a pity that I am not a better guitar player, this one will help me get there. The Marc B. review smells.

This company (especially Dave P.) has helped me grow in my understanding of digital music and use…read moreof my old Yamaha Motif MO8 and my current XS8 over the years. He's been so very patient when I was a true beginner and learning how to speak "Yamaha synth operating system". I had one download problem awhile back and the company cured the issue in a heartbeat. Dave also runs the Motifator website and I cannot express my appreciation of the time and effort he puts into this website. His knowledge is deep and his products are always top of the line with extensive support to match. Thank you Dave and everyone at Keyfax and Motifator.com

From the owner: KEYFAX specializes in music and audio production solutions as a value-added reseller. That means we…read moresell a full range of products and services based around what used to be called 'recording.' This ranges from DAWs, to microphones, to plug-ins, to monitors, but also includes acoustic treatment, and mastering services. Plus KEYFAX offers a wide range of downloadable instructional video so you can really get the most out of your purchases.

Thomas Musical Instruments is quality and great value. Great service and knowledge. I would…read morereccomend them for service and rebuilds

I highly recommend John with Thomas Musical Instruments. He fixed my son's trumpet in less than…read more24 hours and was reasonably cost.

Reviewing as a total music novice family. We needed to rent a violin for my 5th grader for…read moreorchestra. We could not have been more helpful, patient and kind helping us set up a rental. Similarly, when we made the return at the end of the school year, the process was seamless! Highly recommend!

Just bought a ukelele from here to keep practicing as a beginner, they have good intro/beginner…read morepieces up to more expensive and studier pieces. The range I saw was from sale items at 49.99 up to 200+, they have a good, moderate amount of choices at each level, with different brands and accompanying acessories! My ukelele is a soprano, a great beginner ukelele I was practicing with, got it for $75 with tax and a carrying bag included in my purchase, if I remember correctly, tag price was $69.99 I did ask if there was something similar to a brand/type of ukelele I started my practice with but I was then getting sold onto the more expensive pieces that I didn't have experience with and didn't ask for so that was a miss for me. Wish I got more of a relevant recommendation but the workers were sweet, they let us browse by ourselves for a good amount of time before stepping in (which good for me because I needed time to think, compare, and browse). When we went, there were a handful of other customers inside the store, it's located in a small shopping center but the store is bigger inside than it appears on the outside. The parking situation was just okay, not bad, could use a tad bit more space, we went ~1p the parking lot was full minus 2-3 spots but I noticed cars came and went from the time we got there until we left so it seems like there's a couple spots free at any given time due to the traffic coming in and out for small errands. Lots of instruments and accessories to be found inside and the workers seem to be happy to help find what is needed! Pretty well organized inside to find what you need on your own though, I was able to find the ukeleles quickly.

Russell provides excellent professional service and is highly knowledgeable and skilled in his…read morecraft. Don't be misled by the negative review by "Kevin S." who asked Russell if you need a "trained ear" to know if a piano is tuned correctly. Really, Kevin ?! Russell tuned Dave Brubeck's pianos -- which speaks to his level of appreciation on the part of piano aficionados as well as families who love their pianos.

Unresponsive and immediately became defensive and suggested I look elsewhere when bringing up…read morequestions about whether he needed a trained ear around to help judge the tuning. Being unfamiliar with the process of tuning a piano, he shooed me away as a potential customer instead of standing behind his work and experience to help educate.

We feel so blessed to have found Rob Mahoney for piano lessons for our son! Our son started…read moreworking with Rob 1.5 years back, at the age of 5. Our son can now read music, and play basic piano beautifully! Rob is patient, kind, and fun too. He has a detached recording studio at his house with a full grand Yamaha piano, keyboard, and drum set. We are so grateful to Rob for all he has taught our son, and we look forward to working with him for many, many years to come!

From the owner: Robert's specialty is jazz improvisation. Whether you have never played before or are an…read moreaccomplished musician who wants to learn how to improvise, you will feel welcomed and at home in Robert's studio. Study jazz, blues and pop music from a teacher with more than thirty five years of teaching experience. Robert's own music education and his long performance career create a fountain of knowledge on which he draws to enliven lessons and tailor them to individual learning styles and interests. Beginning with music fundamentals, ear training, piano fingering and technique, Robert can then lead you into the worlds of stage performance, improvisation and recording.

Native Bay Area resident and have always heard of Gryphon. Never had a guitar that needed a setup…read moreI couldn't do. Took my Martin Sc-10 for a setup due to high action after purchasing it used and the shim system they use. Went in to talk and Bryan took my guitar in and was very informative about the service. Guitar was ready promptly and when I went to pick it up Paul greeted me very kindly and we had a great conversation about the Bay Area old days and Skip Spence. My guitar action was perfect. Can't say enough kind words about this place. Highly recommend their service and a visit to the store. Beautiful acoustic guitars.

I definitely would recommend entrusting the work done on my guitar/Ukulele to the luthiers and the…read morefine folks at Gryphon. The Luthiers are fine craftsmen who enjoy their work and it shows speaking with them and viewing gorgeous instruments displayed on the walls and around the showroom. A definite one stop shop for high end string instruments