Earle Teat Music: A Delmarvalous Delight

October 22, 2021

 I decided, at the age of 46, to learn to play the guitar. Okay, truthfully, I actually wanted to learn to play the ukulele because I love the sound of it, but it turns out that it was just a titch too small for my hands to learn straight off and everything felt cramped.

So my music instructor, the fabulous Valerie Lankford, (who’s located in Salisbury and does music lessons out of her home, if you’re looking for an instructor for your children or yourself), recommended I start with the guitar and then I could switch to the ukulele once I had some experience and cooperative, stretched fingers.

I’ve never particularly had that dream of sitting around a campfire, strumming my guitar, but I do want to learn an instrument. I played flute for like…2 years back in middle school, but that hardly counts. So with the decision to learn to play the guitar came the need for a guitar to play.

At Val’s suggestion, off to Earle Teat Music in Delmar, Delaware I went. Earle Teat is located in the Food Lion strip mall in Delmar, and from the outside, it’s an unassuming place. It’s inside where the magic happens. Step in the doors, and you’re facing a wide array of musical instruments and paraphernalia, in an open space. As we’ve already established, I’m not musically inclined, but even my not-musically-inclined soul was blown away by the gorgeous display of instruments and music items in the space.

I was greeted immediately by a staff member and asked how they could help. I explained that I was looking for an entry-level acoustic guitar, that I had absolutely zero knowledge of guitars, and I didn’t want to spend a huge amount of money since I was just a beginner.

The salesperson was tremendously helpful and led me back to the guitar section, where he explained different options (nylon vs steel string, full body vs ¾ body, fully acoustic vs some with electronics on board…) and he started handing me different options to hold, get a feel for, and decide what felt right to me.

I won’t say I was probably the most difficult customer to help, but I also wasn’t the easiest, but the salesperson never made me feel rushed, answered all of my questions, was patient while I endlessly swapped out guitars, trying different strings and body styles, and getting a sense of what I wanted. And he was patient while I wavered back and forth between two different guitars, and I held first one, then the other, more than once.

After I finally chose an instrument (and it is sooo pretty and comfortable for my short arms and curvy frame), he explained other options for things I could get but didn’t absolutely need if I didn’t want (case, strap, etc). And I have to note that though I did buy a few accessories, they gave me a “bundle” deal, which they absolutely did not have to do, and that felt like tremendous customer service!

At no time during my experience did I feel pressured to buy, did I feel as if there was an upsell or a hard sell, or that he was trying to get me to purchase something that was far more than I needed. He helped me make the decisions within the facts I shared about myself, and I felt it was a comfortable, positive, even fun experience spending money there! And I never once felt I was making a purchase outside my budget or had to spend more money than I really wanted to.

Overall, my visit to Earle Teat was one I’d happily repeat, and I feel confident referring them to others, just as they were referred to me. They will treat you right, listen to what you need, and point you in the direction of an instrument that works for you!

This business is a Shop Local Delmarvalous Delight and I highly recommend it! 

Business Details:

Earle Teat Music

Locations in Delmar, DE and Dover, DE

http://www.earleteatmusic.com/

Angela James is a resident of Salisbury, MD and active in the Delmarva community through volunteer work for organizations such as National Folk Festival, Humane Society of Wicomico, Salisbury Pride Parade and more. A fiction editor, author career consultant and public speaker, she’s a small business owner who understands the power of word of mouth and customer reviews.

Delmarvalous Delights highlights the best of Delmarva, along with hidden gems, and shines a spotlight on those businesses that stand out consistently as Delmarvalous Delights.

If you’d like to invite Angela to visit your business, or try your products, please email angie@delmarvalousdelights.com