Many times these calls lead to sales of strings, instruction books, and accessories. The store has developed its own customer mailing list, which receives the semi-annual catalogs. The store has an extensive repair service and, in many cases, it may be the only place capable of working on a particular exotic instrument. Lessons offered on such unusual instruments as uillean pipes and Celtic harp, as well as autoharp, banjo, fiddle and guitar. The four-page lesson flyer has biographical information about each teacher, and breaks down lessons into individual or class offerings.
Teachers are sub-contractors, and rent space from the store.
Managing a store like House of Musical Traditions involves a constant battle to keep up with importers, new builders and wholesalers, says Smith. The store also must compete with some heavy local discounters, and consequently they have tended to avoid the electric guitar business, except for repairs. The store advertises In Dirty Linen, a national folk-oriented magazine, the Washington City Paper, and occasionally with classified ads in the Washington Post. They also are among the underwriters of a weekly folk radio show in Washington. The Net is of particular importance to us, since Washington's suburbs have been moving farther and farther out into Maryland and Virginia, and foot traffic in Takoma Park has seen a decline.