Today we will be discussing the music scene in San Jose, California. Obviously it is a very wide ranging subject to dive into, but hopefully there will be some info here to help you out.
The best San Jose musical instrument stores seem like the logical place to start. Different lists for where to buy guitars near you and the best drum shops in town will also be presented.
Expect there to be some crossover between those sections as some stores will have the leading guitar brands for sale like Gibson, Fender, or Keisel as well as all the keyboards, synthesizers, pedals, amps, or pretty much any supplies you may need.
Contents
Up next we will get into quality instrument repair shops in your area because some reading this may need a piano tuned, a guitar repaired, or work done on other band instruments and there is somebody out there that can assist.
Then it will be time to pivot to the best music lessons for kids or adults here. Following that local stores for music lovers that sell vintage CD’s and records will get a shout out.
We also think many of you will want to know about the best concert halls and live music venues while others who don’t want to buy a ticket might like our list of bars and restaurants that have live music around the city.
And we will get you out of here with the best festivals on the San Jose music scene calendar. Stay with us til the end where you will find a map with the wide variety of stores and venues we are discussing pointed out.
Once our posts on San Francisco and Oakland are up we will link you to them there.
Musical Instrument Stores In San Jose
When you want to go to one of the best musical instrument stores in San Jose head to:
- Music Village Instrument Store at 2971 Union Ave
- Kamimoto String Instruments at 609 N 4th St
- GigaSonic at 260 E Gish Rd
Music Village is a good place to buy instruments like clarinets, flutes, alto and tenor saxophones, trumpets, trombones, violins, and cellos from some of the world’s renowned brands as well as get repair services and even lessons for children from Monday to Saturday.
Quality and affordable instruments for pros and aspiring musicians are available at Kamimoto where they also provide repair and restoration services near you.
Head to GigaSonic for a range of sound and DJ equipment, drums, keyboards, guitars, and MIDI that are available on weekdays.
Where To Buy Guitars
If you are specifically trying to buy a guitar or guitar accessories check out:
- Guitar Wars at 4110 Monterey Rd
- Guitar Showcase at 3058 S Bascom Ave
- Perkins Guitar Shop at 5807 Winfield Blvd # B6
- Vision Guitar at 6300 San Ignacio Ave
- Ukulele Source at 599 N 5th St
- Keith Holland Guitars at 16905 Roberts Rd
- Guitar Center at 3677 Stevens Creek Blvd
Lessons and repairs for instruments, amplifiers, and accessories are just a few of the services provided at Guitar Wars.
Guitar Showcase is open every day and offers a wide range of rental equipment like speakers, amps, mics, instruments, stands, and plenty more as well as simple and complex repairs from restrings and setups to rewiring.
Since 1923 Perkins has been providing top notch guitar repair and maintenance in your area as well as other services and lessons for beginners and pros including acoustic, electric, bass, and ukuleles from Tuesday to Saturday.
Vision Guitar is dedicated to delivering high quality gear from some of the industry’s most reputable brands into the hands of local musicians.
You can buy handcrafted ukuleles that are made from Hawaii at Ukelele Source including cases, strings, tuners, and stands from Wednesday to Saturday.
Services for string instruments are offered at Keith Holland from Monday to Saturday.
Guitar Center is home to one of the largest selections of popular guitars, basses, amplifiers, keyboards, workstations, drums, percussion, microphones, PA systems, DJ equipment, stage lighting, recording software, studio gear, and more.
Drum Shops Near You
Drumskull Drums at 105 Pioneer Street is one of the go to stores for high quality sets of drums and percussion instruments in San Jose.
Instrument Repair
You can get quality instrument repairs at:
- Park Avenue Music Center at 1717 Park Ave
- Musician’s Service Center at 377 Meridian Ave
- Quicksilver Music Repair at 10207 Imperial Ave
Park Avenue Music Center is a one stop shop for all of your band and orchestra instruments, supplies, and service needs.
Musician’s Service Center sells all types of instruments and offers repairs for string, woodwind, and brass.
Have your tarnished brass and silver plated instruments cleaned and polished at Quicksilver Music Repair along with other services like overhauls, dent removal, and soldering.
You can also have your instruments repaired at Music Village, Guitar Wars, Guitar Showcase, Perkins, and Keith Holland from some different lists that we have mentioned.
Music Lessons
You will probably improve your skills by taking music lessons at:
- Exploring Music at 1608 S De Anza Blvd
- My Little Conservatory at 1535 Meridian Ave
- San Jose Academy of Music at 2726 Aborn Rd #A
- Almaden School of Music & Art at 5353 Almaden Expy #D208
- Phil Johnson Music Lessons
Exploring Music has been providing lessons in your area since 2002 as well as selling a wide range of string, wind, and percussion instruments that are available every day. Quality programs are offered at Academy of Music.
Improve your skills by taking lessons at Almaden School of Music & Art where you can learn mediums like watercolor, acrylic, pencil, oil, glass staining, and more as well as private lessons for instruments including piano, violin, voice, guitar, drums, flute, clarinet, cello, saxophone, and many others.
Phil Johnson has music classes up and running every day including guitars, pianos, electric basses, and flutes.
More options for lessons from some different lists include Music Village, Guitar Wars, and Perkins Guitar Shop.
CD & Record Stores
Some of our favorite local stores for music lovers with lots of vintage CD’s and records are:
- Streetlight Records at 980 S Bascom Ave
- Needle to the Groove at 424 E Santa Clara St
- Rasputin Music at 1820 S Bascom Ave
CD’s, cassettes, and vinyl records, of just about every genre are available at Needle to the Groove.
San Jose Live Music Venues
These San Jose live music venues are great places to see a concert or performance:
- The Art Boutiki at 44 Race St
- JJ’s Lounge at 3439 Stevens Creek Blvd
- The Ritz at 400 S 1st St
- Los Gatos Music in the Park at 110 E Main St
- Mariachi Trio Sol de America at 477 Atlanta Ave
The Art Boutiki is a brick and mortar gallery store and part live music venue that offers swanky comics, graphic novels, and t shirts.
Live music, DJ’s, and various events are hosted at The Ritz. You can hire Mariachi Trio Sol de America for any event or occasion with talented musicians that are guaranteed to arrive on time.
Restaurants With Live Music
These restaurants with live music in your area can be a lot of fun:
- Cafe Stritch at 372 S 1st St
- El Jardín at 368 Santana Row #1050
- Poor House Bistro at 317 W St John St
- Orchestria Palm Court Restaurant at 27 E William S
Enjoy tasty food and drinks with live local music at El Jardín’s Mexican style patio.
Bars With Live Music
Plus there are bars that play live music too:
- The Caravan Lounge at 98 Almaden Ave
- Hedley Club at 233 W Santa Clara St
- Tessora’s Barra di Vino at 234 E Campbell Ave
- Dive Bar at 78 E Santa Clara St
- Back Bar at 418 S Market St
The Caravan Lounge is one of the oldest live music venues in San Jose and is open every day offering karaoke, comedy, burlesque shows, pool tables, and DJ evenings. Listen to live jazz music every night of the week at Hedley Club.
20 tasty wine varieties as well as a seasonal bistro menu with daily specials are sold at Tessora’s Barra di Vino from Tuesday to Saturday.
Music Festivals In Your Area
The San Jose Jazz Summer Fest in August is a can’t miss for any local music lovers.
You may also be interested in these posts on:
- Record Shops In Sacramento
- Record Shops In Stockton & Modesto
- Record Shops In Los Angeles
- All Of Our Posts On The Pacific NW
Enjoy The San Jose Local Music Scene
Well guys, we tried cover the scene as well as we could. You read about the best musical instrument stores, drum and guitar shops, instrument repair services, where to go for lessons, vintage CD and record stores, concert halls and other live music venues like bars and restaurants, plus the best festivals near you.
Anyone that is still here probably knows bit about the local music scene themselves. If so feel free to tell us if we got anything incorrect, if we left any cool spots out, or just share your own thoughts in the comments at the end of the post.
No matter if you are trying to buy a new instrument, wanted some live entertainment, needed a vintage CD and record, or just wanted to learn more about music in San Jose we hope you enjoy yourself.
