Musee Musical

History is important for business, said I-don't-know-who, but sometimes a glorious past gives you a lot of goodwill that takes care of your advertising needs. Muse Musical has a history of Rushdiesque proportions, pertaining to its head branch at Chennai, which, at 162 years old, is easily the granddad of all music stores in India. The store was started by a Frenchman, and its name connotes those connections.

The Muse Musical branch at Secunderabad was opened in April 2003, and has recently been renovated with 700 sq. ft. of added space, taking the total to 1,000 sq. ft. It is located in a corner of Swapnalok (which incidentally has interiors that look like a dream world gone wrong). But the store makes up for it with its spacious set-up and refreshing display of musical instruments, that remind you of the good old days when music was not noise.

The guitar prices range between Rs. 1,450 and Rs. 20,000, with brands including Gibson, Comet, Epiphone, Givson (the Indian 'inspired' version of Gibson), Yamaha and a lot more. Drum-kits range between Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 40,000, and the brands available include Basics, Tama and AXL (no relation whatsoever to HIM). Keyboards can cost anywhere between Rs. 2,000 for a basic one to Rs. 40,000 for a Yamaha. Mouth organ, piano (upright and grand), violin, flute, tambourine... you need it, they have it. The Indian classical instrument section also has an equally impressive line-up.

Muse Musical also offers service and repair for out-of-tune and victimized instruments. The store is managed by sisters Mamtha Vani and Jagruthi Hundiwala, the third generation in the lineage of proprietors. Both are well-versed with the nuances of music, which helps you get the right advice.

But the crowning glories of this place are the Trinity College of Music certified courses that they offer, with classes at the premises itself. But training for Indian instruments is not offered here, which is blamed on the lack of good teachers.

Muse Musical is a place you must check-out if you are serious about your musical aspirations. What's a lousy drive between a man and his goals?

Also read: Musee Musical Music School