Ladera Heights: Overview of the top 20 music shops

My spouse gifted me a couple of private lessons at Boulevard Music. I think she was tired of listening to me trying to teach myself. I had been playing for about 3 years and never had the desire to take lessons because I thought that anything I needed to learn I could learn for free online. I was wrong.

Here is a SHORT list of things you won’t learn online.
Coming in late on chords.
Raising your fingers to high, slowing you down.
Not accenting the notes properly.
Moving too many fingers when changing chords.
Using alternative finger placement for quicker chord change.
INSTANT FEED BACK!
Position, timing, going too fast, going too slow, and …..

I have taken five lessons and have learned more in those five one hour lessons then I did in a year of online instruction. My instructor is Mr. Stan Ayeroff, our initial meeting on the phone was less then ten minutes, and yet when we met in person he came equipped with a montage of songs that were right in line with my interests. I told him I had never finger picked, but would love to learn, and he expertly took the reins. It’s just five weeks later and I’m finger picking my way through Dylan’s “Don’t think Twice, It’s Alright”

If you are looking to start playing, improve your playing, or are just looking for feedback, go to Boulevard Music, they have the talent you need.

Very friendly and patient staff. Answered our questions and those of customers around us. Allowed us and others to practice a variety of instruments. Low key and no pressure. Books and CDs available. Lessons in the back for different instruments. Overall a very pleasant store and experience.

Great place to buy a peace of music. They have everything your looking for. The people here are down to earth and good to work with. The derives is extremely helpful. On the plus side there are small venues here from time to time. Having a few locals preform during business hours. Friday’s, Saturday’s, and Sunday’s.

They are pretty nice but… I bought a Martin guitar at a good price there. I am a practicing medical doctor. I am fully vaccinated, have no symptoms and wear a mask; I wash my hands and use antiseptic gels all day. My cuticle is cracked and bleeding from all the washing and gels. They will not let you enter without hand washing or antiseptic gel. The hospitals and clinic do not require this and the county does not require this (they encourage it, yes). They have a right to make up any rule they want, but this is not directed by the county health department.

Extremely unhelpful with very few items available. Very disappointing.

Took my guitar in for a Martin warranty repair. They are a Martin authorized repair place. I called them, the guy got every detail about me other than my SSN, on the grounds of good customer service.

When I arrived they stressed again how good they’re customer service was. They asked me if I received an email confirming the appointment, even though I was there for the appointment and insisted that I look for the email. Which was really weird lol.

They checked out the guitar and said they would call Martin first thing in the morning and let me know.

It has been a week. I called them today and got the cold shoulder. More questions, implying heavily that I did not give them enough information and was holding up them calling. Riddle me this, if you needed more information, why didn’t you call me?

When I asked “have you done anything about this guitar yet” the guy said “we have a lot of customers coming in” and talked me off the phone.

In a nutshell, don’t make a point of telling me how good your customer service is and then have bad verging on rude customer service.

This place tried to rip me off on trumpet repairs. I had a stuck valve, a small part of a bell that needed to be hammered back in place, and I asked for a cleaning. They tried to charge me $1049 and then they offered a price for my horn at $100. I found another place that was willing to fix it for $150. I have been playing for 20 years and have had repairs in the past, but never seen a place that tried to pull this kind of scam. Don’t go here ever. They will try to rip you off.

Knowledgeable and kind staff.

Great store

Even tho she couldn’t provide me with the service I needed, the lady was so helpful. Prepped my guitar and then pointed me in the right direction.

Very small store.

Pure Amazing!

Music Choice:Your invalid number is 903 seven9-38 999

The play the same songs every 12 hours or less. And unfortunately they’re hopping on the political wagon now. Remember when they just played music?? I do, I’ve been listening for over 15 years straight…

Marina Music is one of LA’s treasure troves. The owner is very knowledgable. Side note** (ask him about his musical theory APP). His store is stocked with Newer pieces and Vintage pieces. Pricing is reasonable and he is willing to take an offer.

The repair department was referred to me by others and I plan on taking my ES 335 in to be given a Set Up.

I highly recommend keeping an eye on their inventory..!!

I have bought several musical equipment over there.

My uncle worked here years ago when it was Betty’s Music.

Alex was very warm, gracious and knowledgable. Upon leaving the store after my first visit, I felt as though I had made a good friend. Some cool classic equipment… Unique instruments avail and they do repairs of instruments as well.
Went in to check out some old guitars… ended up having an impromptu hour long music lesson – without touching a guitar. I will be back for sure.

Unimpressed. Asked for advice. They didn’t have the part Ineeded, so they were not interested. That’s a capital mistake and shows true colors.

Amazing instruments and amos here. Owner knows so much about each guitar/amp/accessory.

Weird place

Was trying a guitar out and was asked to leave if Im not buying. Left a bad taste in my mouth. Beautiful guitars but I dont think Ill come back after that.

Took my guitar in for restringing (acoustic guitar) and they convinced me to do the special treatment package. Took them 3 days. When I got it back the string snapped right away, when I took it into guitar center they fixed it in ten minutes (new strings) but also disturbingly told me the neck was out of alignment so that sucked. Nice people tho

Very nice owners, barefoot. I felt an instant connection of our old souls. Filled with rare old instruments. Very personable.

Incredible store with authentic instruments

I WILL BE TAKING MY BIG BABY FOR REPAIR… I guarantee they will do a great job! I may even stay for the drum circle see ya there Sundays!

Thanks Dan for bringing my dad’s old Congo back to life with new. This drum traveled from Cuba to California to most recently Michigan. It’s final destination home, Michigan will play at some amazing venues. Remembering that you had a hand in it.

You are gracious kind and professional and we see the love in your craft with every instrument you are repairing. Your calling to the world drumming has gifted you to present some beautifully made drums from Africa and other parts of the world. It was a true blessing to have met you. We hope that you will continue this lost art through drum circles and drum performances.

It was great!

Pashyo Sarkin is a phenomenal drumming teacher. If you want to learn the art of african drumming, I reccomend this place.

Incredible shop! Authentic African drums and assorted percussion. Very friendly and helpful to me in selecting new djembe. Repairs and service as well. Wow, just wow!

It’s always fun going into a music shop especially this one!!! They have lots of tribal finds from many cultures. Even Thailand!!

They are knowledgeable as well. I always like that!

I’ve gone there twice now & have received Wonderful instruments to add to the vibration family. Even a really awesome thunder maker.

I’m bringing the thunder & clearing it out now!!! ️⚡

Update: service has gone down the gutter. Situation: a woman ahead of me made a purchase of 2 musical instruments. She received prompt service & the worker placed their purchased items in a bag for them with the receipt.

When it was my time to purchase he rang me up & asked if I had a bag. I stated, “no”.
He then pushed the $500 + worth of music supplies to me and said goodbye.
I then asked him for a bag. He said, ” oh yea, I have one. But it’s just plastic. Save a soldier’s life you know? ”
Meanwhile I look outside at the woman who had made a purchase no more than 5 minutes ago of 2 instruments & she received a bag without question.

My partner & I then had to lug $565 worth of music back to our car.

I wish this wasn’t about ethnicity. But I can’t help but think so given the lady was white & I am of African heritage. It’s really sad to review this from a place that is for African music.

It hurts my feelings to not be treated the same as everyone else & to have to ask for someone to do their job when they do easily do it for others. Especially when I’m giving them over $500. ☹️☹️☹️

2nd update: I went back to the store the following day & Eduardo was helpful & understanding. Greatful he works there.

So i was very happy i ordered a djembe and it got all the way to buffalo in about 5 days. I ordered a bag almost two weeks ago i needed it by july 5th when i called they said they missed the oeder somehow and they would priority ship it…fine and dandy i needed it yesterday not in 4 days

Five stars, would work here again

I went there with three other guys to deliver a Singing Valentine to one of the workers from his sweetie. They all stopped what they were doing to listen to our quartet sing two love songs from her to him. Then they went back to work as we left for our next delivery.

Parking is treble