Back in the day when I lived in Logan Square I was in a band and we practiced at a space in…read moreHumboldt Park. The space was pretty convenient and you always knew when the Chicago Puerto Rico parade is taking place. I actually had someone tag my backpack while I was waiting for the bus...while the backpack was still on my back. And I really didn't think I was that buzzed at the time but I completely didn't notice the handiwork. I have moved from Logan Square to Lincoln Square and have started practicing once again with the drummer from my previous band. The most convenient space is the Music Lab. I had seen their ads forever in the Chicago Reader and had passed by the space thousands of times but never really noticed the place. It really doesn't stand out, mainly because the first floor houses a doggie daycare. Evidently that ain't too rock and roll. The spaces are fairly small but that seemed to work out just fine. The sound bounced off the walls and worked out pretty well. The spaces also smelled of dog urine but overall it isn't a bad practice space. The location, the price and the acoustics all fall in the positive column, while the doggie daycare is a minor distraction. So in short the Music Lab is a hidden, urine scented gem.

This place is great for the sole purpose that it allows me to play music (especially drums!!) at…read morewhatever volume without anyone leaving me nasty anonymous notes on my door. So that's a plus. Additionally, the neighborhood is great. Super, super close to the brown line, plenty of street parking in the evenings and on weekends. And it's within walking distance to great bars and restaurants on Lincoln Ave. The guy who runs it is also a very nice guy. However, for what it is, the price is a bit much. The rooms are small and not nearly soundproofed enough. If the guys next door are playing, their bass causes me to have to play louder than I'd like. Additionally, since it's above a doggy day care place, every now and then the hallway reeks of dog urine. Oh, and you can't flush toilet paper down the toilet, not that you'd want to risk sitting on it anyway. Also unfortunate is the complete lack of temperature control--my space easily breaks 100 degrees in the summer months. It's not pleasant to have three sweaty dudes with a bunch of equipment in a 100+ degree glorified closet. Unfortunately this place seems to have a monopoly on music practice space in my neighborhood. It could definitely use some work, but for what it is it definitely gets the job done. My irritable neighbors and I greatly appreciate the service!

This is the PERFECT space for musicians to practice! Easy to enter, well-insulated, safe!read more

Been renting here for 3 months now and it's gone well. The main guy, Sam, is pretty cool and down…read moreto earth. Very lax-type environment to create music. Good prices!

Back again! I had the pleasure of working with Tightrope Recording for my new podcast series, I…read morecouldn't be happier with the results. From start to finish, Jessi, Colin and Max went above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of the recording process was seamless and professional. First and foremost, the studio itself was top-notch. They have an amazing amount of options of microphones to choose from, I went with a Sennheiser 416. Additionally, the studio's acoustics were excellent, providing a clean and crisp sound without any unwanted background noise, we used studio A mostly. The entire recording process was enjoyable and stress-free, I was there a lot so that's saying something- Overall I can't recomend them enough. If you're looking for a recording studio that will deliver then make sure you work with them.

Tightrope Recording, and their owner Max, did not live up to their promises. They promised a great…read morerecording and finished mixes for one price of $1500. They did a great job recording, but sent us home with only the rough cut, and no finished mixes. They claimed that it took a lot of effort to set up for a multi-instrument band and they had to bring in extra help, thus extra cost. They had no more money or time to finish the mixes. Max had the audacity to say that each song would be at least another $350 to finish, even though he promised us finished mixes when we spoke on the phone. I feel that this was unscrupulous practice. Make sure you get your promises in writing from Max, or he may just try to swindle you.

DELETED BY COMPANY. CUZ THEY KNOW IT'S TRUE…read more This used to be the gold standard for sheet music (I would know--I worked for Carl Fischer back in the day, on Wabash). They were always a bit on the snooty side, but at least they had the goods (such as they were), and a good crowd. Well, today, after years away from Chicago, I walked in to literal radio silence (they used to always have on classical/WFMT) and one girl sitting in the corner so far back I thought she was a disembodied voice. She was pleasant enough at first, but after I asked for 10% off of an anthology with a clearly damaged cover (both ends curled up straight into the air), it went downhill from there. I also had a number of used choral pieces, and when I asked what the price of some of the unmarked ones were, she pointed to the new price and told me, "I didn't understand what she was talking about." I said, "That's the new price," to which she testily told me, "You don't have to buy it." Huh??!! So, at her suggestion, I didn't. Saved me about $50, probably. But it also cost them the same. Not that this girl (who I tried with all my might to engage, with even more radio silence as the result) seemed to care. I was just short of boring her by saying that going through that music made me nostalgic for Fischer. The old days. But that store, like so many things of that nature, are long gone. And judging by their empty store, they soon will be, too. And in this particular case, I say Good Riddance

The practice rooms were good! Very convenient. A great selection of sheet music too! Helpful staff…read moretoo

Never in my life have I experienced a private music school with teachers as exceptionally talented,…read moreknowledgeable & personable as SoR Naperville. It's a classy, extremely high caliber music school disguised in a humble, charming building and taught by humble charming people. Additionally, randomly, their bass teachers are also really, really, ridiculously cool. And smart. And funny?! And for some reason their rooms always smell the best?! Anyway, just my observation as someone who walked by it on the sidewalk once and definitely not the bass teacher with the essential oil diffuser (it's cedarwood oil). On a more serious (quarter) note: enrolling your kids here opens them to an extremely supportive, positive, driven community while at the same time exposes them to the highest caliber private & small group music instruction in Naperville.

School of Rock Naperville is absolutely fabulous! As a mother of three children, I consider School…read moreof Rock to be one of the most influential factors in their creative growth and discovery. It's about the The Music: you will be amazed with what the teachers at School of Rock will do with your child. We have done at least a dozen performances series, as well as private lessons, for years. Huge shot out to Adam and Sean!! It's about Teamwork: my 12 year old son practically calls School of Rock Napervillle his second home. It is truly like a family here! Great life lessons are learned behind these doors: Respect, Empathy, Team Skills, and Positive Communication and Affirmation. It's about Passion: my son has found his soul here. He now goes to his piano to wind down and release any stress. This is a life-long gift. We treasure this beyond words can say. School of Rock is a gem. I would recommend starting with a one week Summer Camp. Surely to amaze!!!

I Was just there and got my car broken into, as well as my friend that same night, I had to find…read moreout after the fact that apparently that's been an ongoing thing. A warning would have went a long way to prevent something like that from happening, especially if it's an actual thing!! Do not go there unless you're parked in the parking lot!

This is a cool spot downtown if you have band rehearsal and don't want to deal with lugging the…read moredrums around. They have a ton of amps and stands and a kit in every room. They are sound proof and mic'd with a board and speakers. You can't really hear other rooms when you're in your room. It's a little louder in the hall but not bad at all. The staff is badass and they try to help you as much as they can. If you need a different amp or have any issues, they will try to fix it. It's not super expensive if you can split the cost amongst members.

Really enjoyed taking voice lessons with Jenny G. I was nervous to start music lessons again as an…read moreadult but the Music Connection was super welcoming. Jenny in particular was a treat to work with -- she shares my love of musical theater and was very open to any style of music I wanted to pursue. Cody and Michele were also great on the admin side; they were diligent about reminders and communication, as well as super helpful with scheduling conflicts. I highly recommend the Music Connection to adult students and to any parent who wants their child to take lessons in a caring, fun environment.

we LOVE the Music Connection... and NICK is above & beyond the best drum teacher!! Our 9 year old…read moreson has been taking lessons from Nick for about 2 years... he is FUN... patient & knowledgeable and did I mention FUN!?! He is great with kids & "gets it". We love this school for our son to keep learning and broadening his musical interests!!!!

Just want to take a moment to share my praise for Bach To Rock Northbrook. Both of my children are…read morein private and public classes here. The teachers make learning music fun! Their enthusiasm has even inspired my 6 year old son to take classes that he would never have imagined (a beginning DJ class). You are in good hands here.

Recently had my elementary school daughter's birthday there. We were super excited to sing and…read morerecord in the studio. We had booked the party 2 months in advance and picked the song off the list they provided. We were told that the song would be on the tv screen so the kids could read it. Instead when we arrived the song was printed on a piece of paper for the kids to hold. We were very disappointed and underwhelmed by the experience from start to finish. the administrative help were very friendly with booking the party and securing the date, We found the actual party to be disappointing. The woman who 'taught' the kids to learn the song was boring, disinterested and lacked the type of enthusiam that was needed to ensure the kids were excited to record. All she did was give out a piece of paper and had the kids practice over and over. She did not split them into groups, nor make it fun and kept looking at the clock to see 'when they could go to the studio.' She then kept saying to the group of 8 year olds 'are you nervous.' Instead of encouraging them and being enthusiastic. She was disorganized and when asked if the kids wanted to sing the song again had the majority of the kids say 'no,' even the adults were not wanting to sing again.she made little effort to break up the song, make it more interesting. it was an overall disappointing experience for my daughter. If you do a party there, make sure you find out who will lead it.The facility is nice and clean.. the employees will do minimal extra for you. You will take the lead on setting up the room and will need to ask for them to get out tables for the party. I had higher hopes. It is a nice facility and for the price of the party it was just okay. We have had much better parties.