House of Musical Traditions

All remaining dates of the Maryland Renaissance Festival are now sold out! Tickets may become available from returns, but you must check the MDRF website: https://rennfest.com/ . If you managed to secure advance tix, we hope to see you there!

Maryland Renaissance Festival – Revel Grove Maryland Renaissance Festival 2022 season begins on August 27th for nine weekends of merriment. Online ticket sales will begin on August 1st. Learn more.

Have you checked out School of Musical Traditions' fall schedule? In addition to private lessons, they have group classes coming up for bluegrass repertoire, Celtic repertoire, and even a toddler music class with Mr. Gabe! Plus lots of regular jams: bluegrass, Celtic, jazz, uke and more.

School of Musical Traditions This class will help students expand their repertoire while honing the skills required to play with others and be creative while doing it.

It's always a pleasure to have a Homer Ledford dulcimer come through the shop! This one was made by the legendary Kentucky maker ca. 1969, with a yellow poplar top that came from wood from a house near Lexington that was over 100 years old at the time. More information: https://hmtrad.com/products/homer-ledford-4-string-lap-dulcimer-used-1 . Free shipping within the continental US!

Don't miss the Takoma Park Folk Festival (TPFF) this Sunday, September 8th at the TP Middle School! Music on 6 stages (the lineup is superb!), crafts, food and community tables. We will have our festival booth there as usual. It's FREE and 100% volunteer-powered (including the performers, so bring some cash to buy their merch and support them!).

Get all the details at

Takoma Park Folk Festival | Celebrate Community Sept 8, 2024 Join us in September for a free annual folk festival celebrating the arts and the Takoma Park-Silver Spring community. Six stages of music, a juried crafts show, international food, community nonprofit tables, and children’s games and activities - rain or shine!

🌟Labor Day Sale!🌟
A wide range of used instruments are 15% off through Sept 4...plus JHS pedals are 20% off! Deals are listed here in our Reverb store, but prices will be honored in-store as well: https://reverb.com/shop/house-of-musical-traditions?on_sale=true

Our shop is open regular hours through the holiday weekend (11-7 Fri-Sat, 11-5 Sun-Mon) - plus, our booth at the Maryland Renaissance Festival is open Sat-Sun-Mon!

House of Musical Traditions | Reverb Shop House of Musical Traditions on Reverb

We had a great opening weekend at the Maryland Renaissance Festival! Make sure to visit our booth in Revel Grove if you’re attending on future weekends.

We are busy packing up for the first weekend of the Maryland Renaissance Festival! Sellouts are extremely likely for any weekend, so be sure to get your tickets in advance online at

Maryland Renaissance Festival – Revel Grove Maryland Renaissance Festival 2022 season begins on August 27th for nine weekends of merriment. Online ticket sales will begin on August 1st. Learn more.

It's time to start thinking about back-to-school! If your child needs an instrument for their band/orchestra program, we can help. Our trial period special is now in effect: most instruments rent for only $15 for the first two months. Low monthly rates thereafter; cancel any time or rent-to-own.

Get started at our rental portal through our partner NEMC: https://www.nemc.com/house-of-musical-traditions

Our Summer Sale runs for a couple more weeks - visit https://hmtrad.com/collections/summer-sale to see what's 15% off!

We just launched a big summer sale! Visit https://hmtrad.com/collections/summer-sale to browse over 50 instruments that are 15% off: a wide range of used items, and new Larrivee guitars. Plus instant rebates on select Breedloves, and sale prices on Fishman Loudbox Mini amps.

Luthier's Special!
This 1946 Martin 00-17 is in need of extensive restoration, but has potential in the hands of a skilled repairperson. Up for auction in our eBay store in as-is condition; starting bid $650.

Martin 00-17 Guitar, 1946 - Needs Repair | eBay This Martin 00-17 all-mahogany guitar dates to 1946 (s/n 94781). It is in need of extensive restoration work (issues detailed below) and isnot currently playable. The guitar has non-original tuners.

✨B-STOCK DEALS!✨
In addition to the dozens of items discounted in our ongoing Summer Sale, we've recently gotten in a number of new, B-stock instruments offered at great discounts! These come straight from our suppliers with small (sometimes undetectable) cosmetic flaws, and carry a full warranty.

We have several B-stocks from Gold Tone, including this F-6+ mando-guitar (tuned 1 octave above standard guitar). $100 off for a tiny top blemish. Others include banjos, a tele-style banjitar, bouzouki, and frypan mandolin.

From Breedlove, we have a few B-stock ECO Discovery guitars. And from our Latin instruments supplier, we have discounted Puerto Rican-style cuatros.

Rare National Triolian resonator ukulele just up for sale! Made in 2010 and still in near-mint condition. Less than half the cost of new, with no wait! Details: https://hmtrad.com/products/national-resophonic-triolian-ukulele-used

We recently learned about a new group forming in this area, the Hand & Limb Different Musician's Collective. They would like to connect with and collect interest from anyone in the area with hand & limb differences impacting the ability to play music. If you are interested in getting involved, fill out the google form posted in the comments, and follow hldmusic_dc on Instagram.

They are also welcoming of:
- people with other disabilities/medical conditions impacting their ability to play music
- people interested in supporting/sponsoring the efforts of this group
- people outside the DMV area interested in participating/supporting (though in-person events will focus on this area)

Please feel free to share to help spread the word!

Just a few of the recent additions to our used instrument stock:
- 2010 Taylor 8-string Baritone
- 1952 Gibson ES-150
- Snake River handmade 4-string acoustic bass
- Dusty Strings Ravenna 26 harp

Details & pricing at hmtrad.com

Just in from Eastman: a new flat-top mandolin model in their Pacific Coast Highway series. Only $399 with gig bag! In stock in both Classic & Natural finishes.

We're thrilled to announce that we've been voted "Best Place To Buy Instruments" in the Washington City Paper's reader poll, for the 8th time! Thank you for your continued support in our 52nd year of business serving the DMV area and beyond.

We also want to recognize all the shops on this list, and encourage you to support them. All of these independent businesses contribute to making our area a great place to make music, and we all send referrals to each other for different areas of specialties. Please consider a visit or call to any of us before going to the big online sellers.

Also, congrats to our partner School of Musical Traditions for winning Best Music Lessons!!

A very special instrument! This Paraguyan harp was custom-made by the late L. Ruiz Diaz, exclusively for renowned harpist Dr. Alfredo Rolando Ortiz. It is without a doubt, the best-quality Paraguyan-style harp we've had in our shop! Custom Colorado Case included. Available for local pickup. More info & video of Dr. Ortiz playing it: https://hmtrad.com/products/l-ruiz-diaz-custom-concert-model-paraguayan-harp-used-local-pickup-only

We just launched a big summer sale! Visit https://hmtrad.com/collections/summer-sale to browse over 50 instruments that are 15% off: a wide range of used items, and new Larrivee guitars. Plus instant rebates on select Breedloves, and sale prices on Fishman Loudbox Mini amps.

This Friday the temperature is cooler, we've got some great musical instruments coming out on the floor, and our IT systems are not affected by the Crowdstrike bug! Hope to see you soon....

Looking for a great-sounding small acoustic amp? Check out these just-announced deals from Fishman! Both are 2-channel amps; the Micro is 40w and just about 9 lbs. The Mini Charge is 60w, about 21 lbs, has Bluetooth and can run off rechargeable battery!

One of our Breedlove Guitars on sale for the Summer Upgrade Event - this limited edition Oregon Concert Galaxy! Made in the USA from solid Myrtlewood (native to the Pacific NW), with Baggs Anthem Tru-Mic pickup. Our manager Brennan says:

"This guitar is an absolute wonder. The pictures don't do the iridescence of the silverburst justice - I'm reminded of the signature instrument of one of my favorite electric players. This instrument plays so smoothly and wonderfully, it is really a standout in that sense, even aside from its visual impact."

Original price $2,499, now $1,999, including shipping within the continental US!

Our lessons partner School of Musical Traditions has plenty of workshops and jams this summer to keep you busy! Coming up soon is this Intro to Celtic Repertoire workshop on July 20. Open to all instruments!

Ever wanted to learn a Celtic tune? This is your chance! Celtic cellist Ellen Gira will lead a one time repertoire class, where you’ll learn a groovy Scottish tune and create a fun arrangement as an ensemble. This class will also offer ideas to take your playing further, including ornamentation and Celtic jamming skills. Info & registration: https://schoolofmusicaltraditions.com/classes-workshops/intro-to-celtic-repertoire

💥SALE ALERT! 💥
Breedlove Guitars' Summer Upgrade Event is in effect: through September, all USA-made Premier and Oregon guitars are $500 off, and Organic Pro series guitars are $200 off! All of these are built with high-quality, sustainably-harvested woods. Shop our sale collection here: https://hmtrad.com/collections/breedlove-summer-upgrade-event

Tune into http://takomaradio.org this Sunday from 5-7 for Dave’s tribute to our beloved Tom Prasada-Rao.