Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. A woman gets called into a music store by a smiling yellow dog and finds a whole new version of paradise. Haven’t heard it? Well, read on to learn how this isn’t just a great line, it’s a true story. I was recently on one of my curiosity-led adventures when I walked past a store with a yellow lab sitting in the entryway. That’s all it took for me to go inside. I can’t resist saying hello to animals or learning about musical instruments.
It turns out the dog is the grand dog of the store’s owner. Once I looked up from greeting my new furry friend, I realized I’d stumbled into one of Rocklin’s hidden gems: The Music Store. As an electric bass, keyboard, and tambourine player, I love music stores and have to say that The Music Store is a wonderful place for people looking to buy or rent a musical instrument. And yes, I did say rent. Read on to learn why that matters more than many people realize.
The Place To Rent a Musical Instrument
Walking into The Music Store feels like stepping into a place where fun and possibility are waiting just around the corner. The layout is organized in a way that makes everything feel approachable. Books are clearly displayed and easy to find, while the instruments are arranged with enough room around them so that you can really appreciate each one individually. The flow transitions naturally from one section to the next, all within a space that feels large without becoming overwhelming. For me, it created the sense that answers and guidance were never going to be far away. In fact, within a few minutes, I felt less like a customer and more like someone dropping in on old friends. Owner Brian Gillette has run the business for more than 26 years, and his enthusiasm for music is obvious almost immediately. That passion shows not only in the products available, but in the emphasis placed on helping people find the right fit through rentals, lessons, repairs, and personal guidance. It’s easy to understand why this business has become such a valued part of the Rocklin community.
Renting a musical instrument, especially for a child just starting band, makes a tremendous amount of sense. Quality instruments can be expensive, but starting on one that is too inexpensive can be discouraging because the ease and quality of sound simply are not there. Working closely with local schools, The Music Store helps families access quality instruments at prices that are far more manageable.
Flexibility is another important advantage. Children do not always stay with the very first instrument that interests them, and rentals allow families room to adjust as those interests evolve. Growth is another consideration, particularly with instruments like violins, violas, cellos, and even some brass instruments where sizing matters greatly. An improperly sized instrument can easily become a barrier to both comfort and long-term enjoyment. That’s one reason so many schools encourage rentals for beginner musicians.
Music Lessons at The Music Store
I asked Brian what his thoughts are about music lessons. Brian believes that anyone can benefit from music lessons. In his view, lessons are really for all ages, all instruments and all ability levels. Everyone has something to learn. The Music Store’s instructors are people who are passionate about creating musicians and because the store carries a variety of musical instruments, the store makes sure that it works with a variety of musical instructors who give private lessons. For Brian, becoming a musician is far more than learning notes on a page. It’s about the experience of playing an instrument. Along with instrumental rentals being a big part of The Music Store’s success, the quality of the private lessons tells the story of why The Music Store remains so valued in Rocklin. What truly sets The Music Store apart is how many areas of musical support it covers. From high quality rentals, in-house repair to free embouchure testing and violin sizing, The Music Store has all your musician needs covered. By now you’re asking, “what is embouchure testing”? I didn’t know either but saw that it’s one of the things that The Music Store points out is important in what it does for its customers. Embouchure testing is a fascinating music-world concept that most non-musicians wouldn’t know about, yet it can be a huge part of a student’s success. Put simply, it refers to mouth position. It’s the way a player uses facial muscles, teeth, jaw, lips, air support and tongue when it comes to producing a sound on a wind instrument. The Music Store staff works with families on deciding which wind instrument the student would have the greatest success with based on which one physically suits the student best.
As someone who loves discovering the hidden details behind unfamiliar things, embouchure testing immediately caught my attention. I did a bit of research and learned in the music industry that not all physical characteristics lend themselves to the playing of any instrument. Just as certain physical characteristics may influence which position a person plays in football, they can also influence which musical instrument feels most natural to play. I can see why a music store that truly cares about musician success would emphasize embouchure testing. That’s just one example of what makes The Music Store a great resource for musicians, families and school bands. It’s a music store that’s invested in its role in the community. Whether you’re a musician, have one in your family, or just like places where a yellow dog may greet you, please visit The Music Store. I guarantee you’ll have a pleasant visit.
Stanford Ranch Self Storage
As your neighborhood self-storage facility, Stanford Ranch Self Storage searches for businesses like The Music Store because we want our valued customers to know where to go with their specific needs. We often meet people moving into the community who benefit from knowing about where to shop for things beyond the typical ones, you’d think of. We pride ourselves on offering comprehensive referrals. Please help us learn about excellent places like The Music Store by sharing what you want others to discover in the Rocklin community. We hope to see you soon!
The Music Store
4815 Granite Dr.
Rocklin, CA 95677
Phone: 916-624-0951
Hours are Mon-Thu 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Fri-Sat 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. https://musicstorerocklin.com/
