Clarion Music Center

This is for the private piano lessons I take here every sat. Yes I am taking beginner piano. I love it.
— Love the location. 10 min walk from my house
— teacher is great. Very encouraging. I have Kumiko
— scheduling is easy. Can cancel as long as it’s 24 hours.
— very reasonable pricing.
— allows me to come and practice for $ 2 per hour. Awesome.
Only wish they had recitals for students. That would make it 5 stars. I tried to learn an instrument when I was high school. neither piano nor guitar interested me then. Now I am really enjoying it. It’s never too late to learn something new. ;-). So glad I found this place.

Fixed my flute for $ 30 compared to $ 225 estimate at other repair shops. Very friendly & great place to buy Chinese instruments

This review is solely about the Chinese man who works there. I am a piano teacher who started teaching piano at Clarion and I owe it to them who gave me the opportunity to do so. I know the previous and current owner and we became friends even though I don’t teach there anymore. I stopped by today around 1:15pm to pick up some piano books for my students. This Chinese man was the only one working at the time and he seemed to be giving a lesson at the same time. I had to disrupt their lesson because they were sitting right in front of the book shelves. The man seemed to be annoyed when I was ready to check out because he had to stop his lesson and help me. I told him I couldn’t find a book and all he said was «it’s there» and then busy trying to print me a bill. Don’t get me wrong, I really wasn’t expecting any kind of service but he was very rude and made me feel like I was a bother to him. Guess what he said after I told him I’m sorry for interrupting his lesson? He said, it’s okay and didn’t feel sorry at all. Wow, I’m not sure if I will ever go back again. I feel really bad for the owner Jean because he’s turning away business and she may not even know why…

They don’t offer group class any more.

A very eclectic music learning place in SF.

Been coming here since I was a kid for piano and violin lessons. Although I no longer go for lessons, I stop in once in a while to purchase books and world music cds. It’s a small store that’s packed with a vast selection of world instruments and I suggest not bringing a kid along because items are displayed anywhere from the floor to the walls. The best times to go are during weekday mornings when there’s no one around and the staff can have more time to explain or talk to you.

Hidden little eclectic gem of a place with some unique instruments.
Hurqin Family, Chinese souna, taikos, didjeridus, H’ mong drur, doumbeks, djembes, talking drums, story telling drums, shakers, shells, pebbles.
They’ve also got some books, instructional videos, and CDs.
Check it out, explore some sound.

I been a patron of this shop for many years now and they have become my official supplier for instruments and parts for my Asian Studio in Washington as I am able to find what I need from here and if the items are not in stock, they have been usually able to procure me the items in a reasonable amount of time considering most of the parts come from 3 main Chinese suppliers overseas.
First off, I am a professional player for my state’s only Chinese Orchestra. In addition, I am also an ambassador for my instrument the Ruan, and all 4 models I purchased from this vendor.
Location: Located on the corner lot between Waverly and Sacramento. A reasonably sized building with the main level used as a showroom/​retail shop, the bottom floor used for studio and teaching, and the upper level used for storage. The layout of the main showroom is pretty standard, divided more or less by instrument families, with metal being in the back, the silk being on the west side, the gourds/​clay/​bamboo in the middle. On the south wall, lies a lot of written material such as books and music scripts. The north wall being mostly silk instruments and bric and brac, the east wall being the main cashier stand and some display cases of smaller items and parts.
The décor is pan Asian, nothing really special to talk about. Clean with a «Grandma’s Attic» feel.
Merchandise: The store specializes in mainly Chinese instruments with some token African and «world» music items spaced about. The world music section is nothing too special, a mix of Arabic and Middle Eastern bric. The music section has a lot of European violin and flute material with some Chinese rote mixed in also. Now, the Chinese section is the main heart of this store and here is my 10 cents.
Percussion: There is a large Yuo and Bao section in the rear of the store from Pekin Opera luo to Huge Chao gongs up to 40″ in diameter. The Bao are standard Wuhan or copies in various sizes.
The «Gu» or drum section is also large with drums from traditional Dagu/​Biangu to Japanese Tako drums etc. Some nice Lion Dance Drums also. There is also small stuff like Paibans Muyus etc
The Wind Section: Fair section from Dizi in all key to Bawus/​Suona/​Shengs etc. They keep the better quality stuff under lock and hidden, but if you show professional attitude, they will show you some nice stuff. I think I saw a trumpet for sale here once also?!
The string section is HUGE! From ¾ sized baby Gu Zhengs to Professional model Erhus. They have probably ½ a dozen Zhengs of various levels spaced together. A wall of gaohu/​erhu/​zhonghus. A small sample of pipa/​liuqin/​ruan/​San Xians. A few Yang Qins, a token Gu Qin. Some other randomness like Matouqins etc. To note, they tend to keep the professional models under wraps unless you inquire about something and seem to know your stuff.
Other: They also have some Lion Dance equipment/​costumes/​and some Pekin Opera equipment also. Tis a hit or miss as the inventory tends to vary, however, the do have a good website in which has an online catalog.
Service: Can be from nonexistent to very good. Due to it’s location in Chinatown’s tourist district, they are pretty cold to gawkers and anyone who appears seedy or just immature. Once you can establish yourself as more than just a «Tommy Touch It,» they will become quite helpful and even proactive, but that takes months or years as a patron. (aka hundreds of dollars spent) For example, I went there in person after not shopping there in person for 3 years, so the owners did not know who I was by sight. They did not treat me bad on this visit, but tended to ignore me until I asked about if they had some professional models in stock. At first, they seemed hesitant, but then somehow, the guy’s wife asked what my name was and after I confirmed her guess, she told her husband in Chinese «This is CS from WA, get out the good shit as he has $$» So after that, the guy goes into the backroom, apologizes for not understanding my inital request and brings out some very nice professional model instruments laced in jade and ivory etc, and well, I ended up taking one of them home that trip. I love that treatment. Plus, I was on the market anyway, but it is nice when people know you by reputation and name. (ego boost)
So, lesson being, if you are nice and do not seem «another idiot», you should be fine. If you come off as «dumb and dirty» then you will not enjoy it here. Again, this is in the heart of Chinatown and image is everything. T-​Shirt and Jeans will not be treated as well as slacks and blazers unless they get to know you first. Also, they are a tad olde school, so remember where you are and you will understand my point.

What a cool place! I walk by here on my way to work and decided to walk in randomly.
Basically, they have a ton of (unsual for me) instruments from Asia and Africa. Strings, percussion, wind — if it’s «exotic,» it’s here. They’ve got a particularly large collection of yangqins.
Downstairs is a classroom where classes are given.
Definitely worth dropping by if you’re in the neighborhood.

Great Great place smack in the middle of Chinatown to fulfill your music exotic needs. Not your ordinary music store. Beware to be filled with questions of «what is this made of… how do you play this… where is this from?»
If you’re a piano teacher, this is where you can get all your British Testing materials for a relatively reasonable price. They have a huge shelf loaded with testing books.
Be mindful of those signs that say «DO NOT TOUCH» even though your hands tell you otherwise. The man will come over and yell at you.

I found this place while wandering through Chinatown. Great selection of exotic instruments (alot of stringed and percussion instruments from Asia and Africa). The woman owner is very friendly; the man is more reserved (maybe even a little chilly) but, after I’ve made a few visits to the shop and become a bit more familiar on sight, he’s warmed up. Even on my first visit, though, he demo’d a guzheng for me without asking. Just went up and played on it to show me how it sounded. And, although I live here, I’m new to the area and definitely looked like a tourist.
I’m quite sure his reservation is due to the fact that so many tourists come through his shop and bang on the instruments, joke, abuse their items, etc. I fell in love with an affordable guzheng ($ 399) and bought it after a couple of visits. When I went in recently he’s asked how I’m doing with it.
I’ve seen the owners engaging customers and they show a willingness to educate and inform. Highly recommended, super tasteful and stylish little shop with cool photos and lighting, hands-​on opportunities to explore some very unique and high-​quality instruments. I’ll be back again and again. Give the owners a chance and show respect for the instruments and you’ll have a great time and may leave with a really cool piece.

Very cool shop. Like their diversity in selection of musical instruments.
The workers try to be helpful. They do come off slightly pretentious

What a fun, amazing find Clarion Music Center was — they really do have instruments from all around the world!
Last month, I was wandering aimlessly around Chinatown and stumbled upon Clarion’s recessed door on the corner of Sacramento and Waverly Place. I almost walked by it but then could hear some interesting music so, I decided to peek inside…
Wow, it was a treasure trove of unique instruments and wonders that I had no idea what to do with! There were 2 employees — 1 said hello as I walked in and the other was playing a melodic flute thing… it was nice. Later, I watched them sound the Tibetan singing bowl also which was a treat. I musta walked around for over 30 min. I saw unique gongs, ukuleles, tong and taiko drums, wind instruments from all over the world and and and… I could go on.
The only thing I should probably mention is please don’t ‘experiment’ with instruments unless you know what you’re dealing with. The employees must get so frustrated with people coming in a banging on stuff. In my 30 min, I saw them have to ask more than a couple of people not to bang on the singing bowls because it ruins the tone of the bowl (fyi — you run the wooden part around the outside of them).
All in all, I’d definitely like to get back to this shop someday. I loved the little fun things they had for children and the learning aids they offered. One lil kid was going crazy for an inexpensive African shaker. Also, they had a basement set-​up for music lessons, which is probably nice for instructors or students who don’t have space.
Definitely check out their shop… and website!

See ya there!

Kind of unwarranted to review since I just bought a cello string there, but wanted to add my .02. Great, and can I say the north side of SF is pretty much at a loss for music stores. So I’m really glad this found a way to survive. I was impressed with the large amount of resources for students, but I haven’t taken lessons here. Their rental rates seem standard.

A great international music and musical instrument store! Though it mostly consists of Chinese instruments and a whole room full of didgeridoos and taiko drums, clarion has a large selection of instruments from around the globe (sitars, orchestral instruments, other things i had no idea what they were). The real greatness of this store, for me, comes from the music lessons offered there. From orchestral to Chinese instruments, a wide variety of private and group classes are offered. Though the Pipa teacher had a hard time teaching me because I didn’t speak Chinese, the Erhu teacher took me under his wing and helped me play Chinese violin even though i didn’t speak Chinese! He and the staff that work there were always very friendly and not scared to lend a helping hand (taught me how to put a reed on a Chinese flute, which was really tricky). I’m not sure if he works there anymore, but the staff is greater nether the less. Even if you’re not in the market for an expensive instrument, clarion offers cheap Chinese violins as well as other interesting musical nick knacks for those who are in the market for an awesome souvenir. They also have a large collection of international cds and vcds.

The staff is really helpful here! They have a huge selection of instruments, they are pretty affordable also.

This is a true SF hidden gem. It’s more like a museum, then a store.
Feel free to run around, and play with all the instruments. Especially the didgeridoos (sp?). Tons of instruments, from the world over.

Terrible music store. On both occasions I have been the staff has been entirely unhelpful to me, if not downright disinterested in my presence.
Sample conversation I had:
Me: What kind of instrument is this?
Guy who works there: (without looking at me) Middle eastern.
Me: It’s very interesting, it seems a lot like a fretless banjo.
(Guy appears totally disinterested, walks away without a response).
Umm​.so, great. Thanks. You really made me want to return.

This place is in SF Chinatown. My friend wanted to visit it & I got to see this place for the first time.
It’s full of instruments, especially Chinese ones & music of many cultures. They have Lion Dance Equipment, Chinese Instruments like the erhu, gong cymbals, taikos & didjeridus, world instruments, books, cds & videos.
They also have Saturday Music Classes to learn to play the Chinese erhu (two string fiddle), guzheng (zither), dizi (flute), & yangqin (dulcimer). Classes meet on Saturdays from 5 – 6:30pm. Good for beginners: adults & children welcome.
Hrs:
M-​F 11am-​6pm; Sat 9am-​5pm

Excellent music shop in chinatown, certainly my favorite one of all time. Check out the massive variety of gongs, udu drums, kalimbas, tablas, tibetan medal drums, and melodica’s etc. Say hello to the wonderful and friendly woman at the counter