Nothing wrong with the larger music stores but this place is quite unique.I went in to check out ukuleles. Jerry pulled down 8 tenor ukuleles for me to try & made sure they were all tuned. Made it very easy to spend hands on time & pick one. Now its up to me to practice more with my new instrument.

An eclectic collection of musical instrumentsBeen in same place for 61 long years.Attended a private concert there and the settings and ambience was perfect for a saturday nightCheers !!!

They can fix your exotic musical instruments, and sell you sheet music for rhem. Of course, they can also sell you the exotic instruments themselves! This is the second generation of family running this business, and their son Ben Harper is a professional musician himself. Everyone here knows their business very well.

Our favorite local music store. The monthly open mic is a fun way to spend the last Sunday of the month. I am impressed by the talented musicians that come from near and far for the chance to perform for 5 minutes on the FMC stage.

Beautiful places with so many different instruments, every music lover should go!!!

Great place and very kind people. Thanks with all our heart from Alessandro and Milena. Italy

So many unique instruments here, its hard to not find something to like. Whether you are a pro or beginner there are plenty of options from stringed to percussive and more. Its a fantastic stop in a cool area with an amazing vibe.

These people are knowledgeable and fun. While I strolled around looking at instruments, someone else came in needing help with guitar strings. There ensued an entertaining and beautifully musical tutorial on guitar string types and stringing techniques, followed by some excellent playing. In the meantime I enjoyed the wide variety of instruments, ranging from fine guitars and violins to balalaikas and instruments whose names I dont know down to the simplest of rhythm instruments. I walked out later with a nice little glockenspiel. Where else can you find things like that? Ive loved the place for over 40 years. Long may they continue in business!

This is great store location. Great place for music and instruments that you cant find at standard music stores. Good selection of every music instruments you need at reasonable price.

I’ve been coming here since I was a child. It always amazes me that they let people play these instruments in their shop! Instruments from all over the world! It’s like no where else I’ve ever seen. I’m looking forward to taking my own kids there. It’s a great way to learn about geography, cultures, And music. I highly recommend this shop.

Wonderful service, I was looking for an unusual musical instrument and they didnt have it in stock. Others would apologize and continue with their business but not them, they contacted other music stores so I could get what I was looking for. Im really amazed because they are not just there to sell, but to help people and be really friendly. If youre thinking into buy a musical instrument this is the right place to go, they offer music lessons and more. Whenever you are in the Claremont area dont hesitate to visit them and know what you are going to be treated like a friend. By the way, Ill wait until they get the instrument I was looking for because I wont buy elsewhere. For now on this is my favorite place when it comes to musical instruments.

Amazing selection of instruments and fair prices. They often have performances by different artists too. Everyone is really nice there.

Greatest music store on the planet. Lots of really interesting and cool musical instruments. Lots of musical knowledge

I have been a regular customer here for more than 2 decades. I have purchased many instruments, tapestries, medallions, buttons and Earth stickers. I enjoy coming in with my children to allow them to play with the different finds that this awesome establishment has. I support Folks Music and Ben Harper. I will always frequent here.

Theirs a little bit of everything for everyone here. From instruments, music and accessories.

Awesome variety of musical instruments! Fun store.

This is a quaint store with a lot of style and so many instruments!!! Theres literally something for anyone on your list here.I enjoyed learning a little history on certain musical instruments and playing many of them.Fun stuff!

Great place for all kinds of acoustic instruments. The repair person on staff is a truly top notch human being as well.

Great place if youre looking for percussion instruments (ie djembes and other percussive instruments like it) and other vintage guitars, this place is it! For a small shop like this , its amazing some of the stuff they have. Whenever youre around downtown Claremont and youre a musician, definitely give this place a look!

I used to think this was a great place full of good music loving people. But every time I come through( I commute from far away) I am treated and looked at as though I am a vagrant and I do admit I have a type of eccentric gypsy style to me but I expect musicians to be accustomed to this type of thing. Ha. Also my partner and I invested a good bit of money to have repairs done to our antique instrument only to have it returned in worse condition than when it was brought in. Not only is it not sell-able it is now unplayable. Sad that we invested what little we have into a place that was supposed to be the best. The only thing that satisfies the owner is watching us pull hundreds out of our wallets only then does the disrespect stop no actual care for the consumer, music or history.

This small museum/center is a great treasure piece. Instruments on display from around the world. A great place to see for all adults and children. Everytime I visit I learn something new.They also have many types of instruments for sale as well as novelty instruments to encourage children to love music at a young age.The entire staff is very friendly and knowledgeable.Folk music is their heritage but they have so much knowledge about other music styles.If you love music you need to visit this music center. Make sure to bring the kids!

Excellent experience. Henry, the luthier did a great job on my bass guitar. Very nice people!

This place is the best place to bring kids to and explore their inner musician...great for adults as well..such history in this place

Very large collection of early Americana, folk music instruments.Also a large collection of guitars for sale.

Very friendly and knowledgeable staff. The atmosphere is nostalgic. I love it!

Great music shop if youre in need of a ukulele or strings.

Great selection of acoustic instruments from around the world.

The array of instruments is mad impressive! Hard-to-find acoustic instruments that arent carried at chain retailers can be found left and right here. Staff is highly knowledgeable and dope to talk to. Always worth a visit to see what theyve got.

The most amazing music store with so many fun instruments to try out!

Amazing store. Great service. I had my uke repaired as well as a strings changed. Very good prices and quality service.

Best instrument store in California. They fix , sell and teach any instrument. You can play the instruments or buy. No pressure.

Great local music store!

Awesome staff! Henry helped me with my acoustic guitar jack I screwed up and was super cool about it. This is my#1 go-to shop before I screw things up.. Thanks Henry!!! It sounded great last Tuesday!!

Lots of unique instruments from all over the world. They hold concerts and events sometimes. There is also the sweetest dog ready to greet you at the door!

Open mic night last Sunday of the month always a blast

A gem in the Claremont Village! Check out the Folk Music Center for unique instruments, cool trinkets, and good vibes. The shop is owned by the family of the musician, Ben Harper, so if you enjoy folky/soul, youll enjoy it here.

Great place rare instruments

I want to thank The Folk Music Center for allowing local musicians to perform their music on the last Sunday of every month. I played an original song last Sunday July 31 and was so impressed by the response from a very energetic audience. I posted my song on Youtube 2 days later and will share a link here if its allowable.

The Folk Music Center is a hidden jewel of Claremont. It is celebrating 60 years of music and Claremont wouldnt be the same without it. I highly recommend it.

Great little shop with people that know what they are doing

This place is fantastic! Very few music stores like this for people to find interesting and unique things to play around with. I highly recommend stopping by even if you have no talent or taste in music.

Amazing place. Great instruments. Ive been visiting this place ( almost a museum ) for decades.

Great place for music and instruments that you cant find at standard music stores. Good selection of hand drums, tin whistles and native american flutes. I went for an upgrade on my tin whistle. They had a variety of qualities and keys and the prices were about what I would have paid on the internet.

Best music store in the world

This place is transformative; the last time I was here I had to be dragged out by my collar. The most magical, and warm, and outstanding music shop I have ever experienced.It has been a year since I have gone and I literally long and pine for the next time I can get to explore this amazing space. AKA: WARNING YOU WILL FALL IN LOVE

Helpful, friendly staff. Like very nice people. Not to mention all the neat stuff they have to look at.

Incredibly warm and knowledgeable owners and staff, massive selection of folk instruments from around the world, in the heart of the village, 60 years and running!

Lets not forget Ben Harper owns this music store?

A fun place, all kinds of instruments all over the store, incredibly knowledgeable and help staff. Fun just to poke around.

This place has been awesome for years. Great selection and a very knowledgeable and helpful staff.

Good instruments, high prices, friendly staff, stoner vibe.

Ben Harpers grandparents own this store. Its got super unique instruments and the people are patient with kids

Great little store in Claremont College Village

They were very helpful in helping my son pick out his recorder.

Amazing selection of western and ethnic music instruments. Must stop for a music-lover. Also offer regular classes and instrument repair.

A very unique place to find instruments from all over the world! Love this place

This shop is the soul of Claremont, this is where the magic comes from. The only source for many instruments outside of their place of origin. Bring the kids, more fun than a toy store and candy store combined!

Awesome variety of musical instruments. This is an interesting place to visit even when you are not a musician

The staff is wonderfully knowledgeable and more than happy to help. Good collection of instruments from guitars, banjos, to sitars and many more exotic instruments. If they dont have what you are looking for they will order it for you. They also do repair jobs.

Always knowledgeable about instruments & repairs. Patience with questions.

Bought a ukulele here recently, love the friendly service

If you want a bouzouki, ukulele, guitar, sitar, sarod, ect ect they have it, and they show you every little minute detail about the instrument. Amazing staff, great selection of music. Truly a unique place.

Incredible selection of unique instruments

This is a great little music store, full of vintage acoustic instruments.

The Folk Music Center in Claremont is the sweetest place for the most interesting musical instruments from around the world. Most of the instruments you can actually play; some of them you have to ask before you do. I always enjoy pulling something off the wall and jamming with a couple of my buddies when we get the chance to hit the place together. If youre a music buff, you will completely enjoy your time at this store and probably will have a hard time leaving!Coolness factors:1) Ben Harper (from Ben Harper and The Innocent Criminals) actually owns the Folk Music Center now (he purchased it from his grandfather before he passed away) and Bens mother now runs the place.2) My buddy works there so Ive had a few things signed by Ben (sweeeeeet!!!).3) The FMC actually builds there own instruments from scratch, including instruments designed and made by the guitar builder that are quite interesting.

Great instruments, but crazy/mean owner.

Best music store in california. and most helpfull staff. thank you

Iconic Claremont music store. A must-see.

No better place to check out and play instruments from around the world. Must see if in Claremont.

Cool instruments

Excellent repair service, great vibe, great shop and people.

A unique place.

So much music culture here and dont forget about all the fun instruments to play!!

Nothing electric

Love it!

A little pricey for no name instruments, but very nice people.

Fun place

Awesome store

Its all about the music!

Theres just no better music store anywhere!!!

I like Folk Music Center in Claremont Village where my sister bought the violin long ago.

Awesome and enlightened, all in 1 stop