I don't often write reviews of places unless I really believe there's something to be said about…read morethe place. Such is Evolution Music in Logan Square where I decided to walk an hour on this fair day so that I could sell my keyboard. I came in, told them what I wanted to sell, and what I was looking to receive out of the exchange. Most people, like me, really try to haggle for the best price, and that's definitely what I did. Being that they were a store with financial margins, they realistically set my expectations closer to what was feasible for them. Fact of the matter is that they were respectful, realistic, and most importantly of all fair when it came to the exchange. I ultimately walked away satisfied, having met in the middle of our compromise, and sealed it with a good ol' honest handshake at that. I didn't have to write about this but I thought the person at the store today, Nathan, had good, decent integrity when it came to this transaction. It was a nice and sunny day and after walking back out of the store, the interaction left me feeling it all the more brighter... Nathan, you're fucking cool bro. I'll definitely be back in the future.

Their employees have no problem with hiding damage and defects, so that you don't find out about it…read moreuntil it's too late. It doesn't make you feel like a valued customer, it makes you feel more like some sucker they unloaded their junk on. Made a buck and got it out the door. Win, win. Especially when selling online. The lengths they'll go to hide stuff is impressive, when all they really had to do was be honest, adjust the price, and everything would be fine. But that's not what happens.

I really like this place. Went there to buy a Euphonium for my daughter. Owner was friendly, and…read moregave me a very fair deal. If I ever need another instrument, this will be my first choice.

Awesome people to do business with. No B.S., Wayne is very dry and straight to the point. I walked…read morein there off the street over 20yrs ago and instantly knew I had stumbled onto a secret Goldmine of guitars and amps. I've bought many many guitars from them over the years at extremely fair prices. Wayne is very fair and doesn't try to compete with CME, or GC, he tells it exactly like it is. It's like walking into an old hardware store or Auto shop. If you come in looking for something or for advice , they'll take care of you and you are welcome to hang out. If you come in with an entitled, woke attitude, go back to GC or BK and have it your way, nobody needs you there to ruin our vibe. Wayne, Tom, and even Rich when he's around have always been nothing but professional to the customers. The instrument selection is exactly as advertised. The best used, affordable instruments around. Dent, dings, yes. Great guitars and amps, absolutely. I currently own 4 Gibson Les Pauls and 2 ES-335's that I got great deals on from Wayne and that I never could afford new or from GC. Check it out for yourself. Ignore the 1 star-3 star crybabies. Actual working musicians, some famous , some not, go there repeatedly. Rant Over! Wayne's the best.

Alex's Music Studio has been a great place for my son to start his piano journey. Our experience…read morehas been wonderful from Car at reception to Ian, his teacher, who has been encouraging and kind. Alex sure does have a gem of a studio! Thank you!!

I've never been to the studio and I don't have any clue about the classes they teach…read more But once a week I get a video from my 2 year olds daycare class where Helen is leading the class in interactive singing and dancing. It is the highlight of my workday when I get that video! Watching the joy and pleasure he gets from clapping, stomping and following her cues warms my heart. When he first started at daycare he was a bit shy and reserved and would often just stare at Helen not really participating. But now he's blossomed into a dancing & singing machine. Helen's warm, engaging and supporting spirit have helped him build his confidence and allowed personality his personality to shine! Seeing his development in the last 2-3 months has been amazing and fun. And I attribute a lot of that development to music class with Ms Helen. Now if only she could teach Mommy and Daddy some rhythm so we could keep up with him!

As a musician and music educator (harp), music education for my girls is one of my top priorities…read more I've worked at many schools from early education to Loyola University and continuing adult education. The staff at Bucktown Music is unbeatable for all ages. The programs offered here are the best in the city with easily applicable curriculum, clear assignments for home, developmentally appropriate challenges, and fun for parents too! My daughters love music class. They are delighted every time we step into the room. From the courtesy at the front desk to the parking options and surrounding activities; the fully stocked bookshelf to the bathroom with diapers available; the clean kitchen to foster community to the shower to support the active staff, they've thought of everything at Bucktown. Thank you for your beautiful resource to our musical city!

Everything about Bucktown Music is fantastic! The people& the program. And the kids LOVE LOVE LOVE…read moreclass so much.

I came to Mr. Rumoro as a complete beginner. I was also extremely frustrated with guitar. Before…read morethen, I had friends who seemed like they could play, but they couldn't explain to me what they were doing in a way I could understand. I had tried online guitar programs and then a different in-person teacher and found both unfulfilling. Both of these only would teach me a few pentatonic shapes without telling me how to practice them well or how to use them, and maybe a few 'fun-chords' or parts of different songs without telling me how to understand them. All of this left me angry every time I would pick up my guitar: the fretboard was blank to me, my hands were dumb, and I couldn't make sense of the music. Mr. Rumoro took me in as a student, and changed everything completely for me. He organizes your practice so every week you know exactly what you are doing to become better as a complete musician: this means scales, arpeggios, sight-reading, chord changes, and work to understand it all. You think it's gruesome, until you start looking forward to your practice hours as the best part of your day everyday (but don't get me wrong, it still is gruesome), and your hour a week with him as a best part of your week. It is rare to find someone who is so great and so noble that they make you feel shame when you don't practice as much as you should have, and who makes you want to practice even more than you need to. Mr. Rumoro is such a person: with him, you want to become better, and you do.

If you are serious about guitar, then you need to go to Frank. He starts by expertly discerning…read morewhat you already know. Then, he pushes you week-in, week-out to become a complete musician. It is clear he has incredible knowledge, but what is more impressive is his ability to teach. If you are willing to put in the work and have the opportunity to go to the FJR Jazz Guitar Academy, then I wouldn't consider any other option.

I've gone to Specimen a few times for bass amp repair, even though this is not their specialty, Ian…read moreis straight forward and timely with his repairs. He's also a fascinating person to talk to about the gear he's constructing. (Those horn amps Andrew Bird uses are his invention, and he makes small ones for stereo and computer speakers). There is no store front, so call ahead to see if they can help you out. Then press the Specimen buzzer and wait to be buzzed in (through the door on the left!). On my last visit I had been having some weird issues with my bass head, and was told if it wasn't a tube issue, it may have to go to SWR for repair. A tube was replaced and the next day I got a call! Great service! Guitar-making classes, guitar set-up workshops, vintage guitar and amp repair, these are what Specimen does best. But they've always done right by this bass player, as well!

I just completed my first course at this school: 'Tube Amp Diagnostics & Repair 1 & 2' and I can…read moresay that it was quite an experience! I live in Alaska so it was a bit of a journey to get to the school. But I am very glad I took the time to take the class. I have been a musician for over 20 years, and I am studying Electrical Engineering in AK, yet despite all of my background I feel like I picked up a lot of valuable new information. As far as I can tell, this is one of the few places left in the country (maybe the world) where you can learn about pure analog valve technology as it is used for audio applications. The class was small (six students including myself), which meant that there was plenty of opportunity to ask questions and talk one-on-one with the instructors. Not only did I learn a lot about the methods and practices of tube amp repair, but I picked up a number of neat tricks that will help improve my band's live performances. Considering that, and the fact that I can now repair my own gear (or be hired by other musicians for repair), I feel like this class will pay for itself in the long run. Ian's workshop is a spectacle in and of itself, particularly for an aspiring audiophile like me. It exists at a crossroads of authentic scientific curiosity, and unrestrained artistic expression. It's hard not to admire the work that Ian and his interns do on a regular basis. Just having the chance to look around the shop made the trip memorable. I highly recommend the Chicago School of Guitar Making. I don't understand the negative yelp reviews for the school, I took plenty of time to research the class in advance to make sure I knew what I was getting myself into. As I've already stated, I feel like I got my money's worth and then some. If you're flying in from way outside of Chicago, give yourself a few 'buffer' days to get into town and acclimate prior to class. You'll minimize the risk of missing class due to shenanigans at the airport, and you'll have the opportunity to look around one of the great American cities. If a conflict does arise, it says right on the Specimen webpage that you can arrange to reschedule your tuition for a later date. They do have a business to run after all! As far as I can tell all six of us students had a great time and walked away from the class quite satisfied. The main instructor for this class (Kye Kennedy) is a wizard and a great teacher, both he and Ian are very approachable and exceptionally knowledgeable. Everyone at Specimen are very welcoming and showed me excellent hospitality. I will definitely be booking another class at this school.

House Call Music is a fantastic organization. Tutors come directly to your home and are very…read moreflexible and professional. Our son's piano teacher is responsive to his interests, even arranging versions of pop songs and video game themes for fun alongside more traditional stuff. Since COVID-19 hit, they have transitioned seamlessly to virtual lessons.

Have had six lessons for my kids. Very professional. Manager is very responsive. Will recommend to…read moreothers for lessons of all instruments they instruct.

I've spent a significant portion of my short life looking back on great guitarists in reverent awe…read more Richards, Page, Hendrix, Townsend, Clapton, Allman and Young are among the masterful deities I continue to look towards for inspiration. My attempt to mimic their craft alone was met with frustration, despair and often failure before finally giving in, as so many aspirational musicians eventually do. It was not until a friend recommended I check out Guitar Chicago that I dusted off my cheap Epiphone to climb back on the Steel Horse (Bon Jovi, what a gifted poet). I met with Jason, who came highly recommended. Jason has the ability to help demystify the guitar with a strong background in Jazz and a firm grip on musical theory. He's equally skilled and comfortable going through chord patterns, technique and odd Jazz rhythms as he is deconstructing a Kiss song. My goal in taking lessons was to make myself comfortable enough to play a few songs without too much butchering. Jason has helped me reach a level of comfort where I can plug my crappy guitar into my less crappy computer and record myself playing. I feel much more comfortable with the instrument than I did only a year ago. The location is great, the scheduling is flexible, online payment takes no time at all and perhaps best of all, you don't need to bring your guitar. I often leave each half hour lesson feeling accomplished and hungry for more guitar. Jason and Guitar Chicago continues to contribute to my early onset of arthritis and I couldn't be happier.

So, I have now been taking lessons for more than 1 1/2 years at Guitar Cities (Chicago), and I love…read moreit more now than I did when I first started! My skill has progressed nicely, and I'm happy and pleasantly surprised at how much I have learned and continue to learn week after week. Jim is an outstanding instructor who offers top-notch skill, patience (much needed in my case), humor, and a lot of encouragement! I couldn't be happier. I love it so much, I am now also adding Ukelele to my repertoire, in addition to acoustic guitar. However, when I took a new job 40 miles away, the commute was literally inducing psychotic levels of road rage. So in an effort to save my sanity, I began to take my lessons over Skype more than a year ago and it has been great! There are absolutely NO issues with taking lessons online vs. in-person, and I have never felt like I wasn't getting as much out of the interaction. Now it doesn't matter where you live, because technology can bridge the gap and make it possible for everyone! I HIGHLY recommend lessons with Guitar Chicago for anyone and everyone...give them a try!!!