Follow the links for our current opening hours
Barbican (Tel:0207 588 9242)
Kensington (Tel:0207 589 9054)


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About Chimes Music

Chimes Music has been running for over 60 years. We’re proud to be keeping up the tradition of supplying music and all things musical to musicians around the world. We have one of the largest selections of printed music in the country, as well as books, instruments and accessories for all musicians from the absolute beginner to the concert professional. Our established mail order service can get your music to you whether you’re in Aberdeen or Azerbaijan. As one of the few remaining independent music retailers, we pride ourselves in being able to offer a personal, efficient and knowledgeable service to our customers. The key to our specialist music service is our retail staff, who are qualified musicians and have years of experience and knowledge. We hope you enjoy browsing our website and can easily find what you’re looking for.  We’re adding to it all the time, but please do get in touch with us if you can’t see what you need - our expert help is only an email or a phone call away.  This is where Chimes differs from any other faceless Internet supplier. If you're interested to hear a bit more about any of our branches, please click on any of the links below. Alternatively, if you've ever wondered about the history of Chimes, please scroll down to see our timeline.

Our Heritage

1951 - Chimes Music Shop Opened

In 1951 Chimes Music Shop opened at 65 Marylebone High Street. But the Chimes Music you know today was born a few years later in 1974 in a small basement in South Kensington...

1973 - Kensington Music Shop Opened

" I opened my first music shop in 1973, a year after I'd left the Royal Academy of Music. It was only really supposed to be a part time job as I had great visions of becoming a professional pianist. But things don't always go to plan! My father ran a newsagents shop in South Kensington with an empty basement which I turned into a little music shop."

Tony - Director of Chimes Music

The Kings Singers Book Signing

The Kings Singers signing copies of their book "A Self Portrait" in the early 70s.

Original Cash Book

Original cash book from the early 70s, started by Tony's father-in-law who was a retired bookkeeper.

1976 - Kensington Music Shop Opens

Things went so well that within three years Tony was able to move into his own premises just down the road called Kensington Music Shop.

Royal College of Music 1970s

Tony and his wife Sue running a stall at the Royal College of Music for the International Saxophone Conference in the early 70s.

1977 - Ann Knight retires and Tony is Promoted as her Successor

In 1977 Ann Knight, the previous owner of Chimes Music, wrote this letter announcing her retirement and leaving Tony as the new shop owner,

1977 - Marylebone High Street Shop

In 1977 Tony had taken over Chimes Music in Marylebone Hight Street. This coincided with his father closing his newsagents to semi-retire, so he helped run the Chimes shop. Then as the shop expanded they moved to no. 44. Here Paul McCartney once came in looking to buy a beginners guitar book as he wanted to learn how to read music!

1983 - 1986 Royal Festival Hall

In 1983 Tony was invited by the GLC to open book, gift and record shops at the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank. These were there until 1986.

1985 - Barbican Music Shop Opens

In 1985 Barbican Music Shop opened on the High Walk in Moorgate. In 1987 they moved from there to Cromwell Tower in the Barbican, where they have remained ever since.

Original Chimes Music Bag

One of the original Chimes Music bags, with all three shops on. The frogs on the keyboard were designed by Tony's brother, Ron.

2006 - Academy Chimes Music Opened

In 2000 the Marylebone shop closed. In 2006 Tony was approached by the Royal Academy of Music to open a shop in the Royal Academy Museum. At this point each shop adopted the 'Chimes' name.

2010 - Stephen Sondheim Book Signing

In October 2010 Stephen Sondheim came to Academy Chimes Music to sign copies of his new book "Finishing the Hat".

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