Become A Real Guitar Hero

Whether your musical tastes range from the thrash metal sounds of Metallica, the classic rock of the Beatles or the rousing opera melodies of Wagner, on Northern Boulevard in Little Neck may have the goods for you.

The Music Zoo has teachers for drums, piano, and guitar for all ages, regardless of skill level. 

"[Music Zoo owner] Tommy Colletti opened up in '94 and taught all of the lessons himself, sold some of his own stuff and it grew from there," said Alicia Kim, music lesson coordinator at The Music Zoo.

Besides teaching you how to "rock out," The Music Zoo specializes in making custom instruments, exemplified by the store's Les Paul Room.

"Our instructors are very versatile, and with the one on one interaction, the instructors are there to guide you," Kim said. "Learning on YouTube is ok, but the site won't tell you if wrong or praise you when your right."

The Music Zoo's expansive inventory is so large the store can't contain it all — the store's Web site features many more items for sale. A kiosk located in the store has a computer terminal for easy browsing online for merchandise not in stock.

"The store's pretty cool, but their website is 'ridiculous,'" said Sam Lerniham, a 21-year-old patron looking for custom guitars.

The Music Zoo, located at 255-03 Northern Boulevard in Little Neck, is open Mon. through Thurs.,  1 p.m. to 8 p.m., Fri., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sat. from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.