I am a tone junky. For those of you who are not musicians, what this means is that I crave good…read moretone like Joi B. craves good wine : It's gotta be rich, full of body, and indicative of the craft that went into making it. In my craving for this Aural Elixir that is once elusive and abundant in the right places, I decided to check out the local pedal-smiths JHS. I've been into the JHS shop in Grandview a few times, and they're always very, very helpful, and will gladly indulge you in talk about what their custom pedals do, what boutique amps they're featuring, what rare guitars they're consigning, or what way they can help you find that fine tone you're looking for. I was lucky enough to be able to snatch up one of their last Mr. Magic pedals, which to me, even on paper sounds like beautiful music, but in application is just amazing to the ears. I won't go into the technicality of it being a Buffer, an Enhancer, and a Boost, but I will say it rockets my tone into the stratosphere when I stomp on it to hit a lead. Plus, the case is hand painted; something they have a lot of quirky fun with at their shop. Not only do these folks build their own brand of pedals, but they will modify pedals you already have! Well, I'm all about modifying; just look at my pin-striped Gretsch Baritones, or my custom-crafted guitar straps, or my special order amp cover, or my....yeah, I like things being changed, enhanced, tweaked. Whatever it takes to make it "mine"; in this case I had a Tremolo Pedal and an Overdrive Pedal modded. Both in ways that enhanced their inherent tones, but took them up a notch to become much more versatile than originally designed. Perfect. I'm incredibly satisfied by this company, and love their product. They're also doing lots of good things for their community as a business, and really know what good service is all about. If you're looking for a new box to stomp or have an old one that could use some souping-up, check out JHS before you hit a Guitar Center...you'll be glad you did!

Great pedals, great price for professional equipment! Friendly customer service, road worthy!read more

My son has been taking private drum lessons for the last year, and I can't imagine taking him…read moreanywhere else. The instructors are professional, very knowledgeable, and have a wonderful teaching style that works well with all ages. My son's teacher, Laura Lee, is fantastic with one-on-one teaching and has a fun learning style that makes my son excited to come back every week. KC Rock Band also has very reasonable prices and they are centrally located right off I-435 & Holmes for easy travel from pretty much anywhere in the KC area.

Our boys had a blast learning how to perform with a group when they took the Rock Band class this…read moresummer. The group learned how to stop and start songs, work on stage presence, keeping tempo, soloing, etc. It was fun to see our kids perform in a concert at the end of the class. I highly recommend Matt and Laura Lee for lessons or classes!

Didn't know this place existed!…read more Stopped in on a lark and bought three LPs right off the bat. This place is a dream. It's look and feel harken back to the old days of being able to wander into a record store shop around and flip through several hundred LPs check- out the latest stuff in from both the new and the latest used music. Then you can wander over to the other part of the store and look at the classic toys you grew up with and reminics about how much your Heman collection would be worth. Then snag a Voltron figure for your office shelves! I guess this shows how nerdy I actually am... but I know I will see many of you at this store!

Great guys, great selection, very knowledgable of the music. Old school record store!read more

I've been in the market for a bass guitar for a few months now and have made several visits while…read moretrying to find something I'll really love and want to pick up every day. I'm still an early beginner on bass, but I've been playing acoustic guitar for about 10 years so cut me a little slack The store has a great selection of instruments, which I really appreciated. However, the help I received was a bit inconsistent. At times, it felt like some employees weren't very interested in assisting me, possibly because I'm newer to electric gear. I was hoping for more guidance on what I actually needed, rather than just being pointed toward what was available to sell. That said, Kurt really stood out. He was super helpful, welcoming, and made me feel comfortable plugging in and trying things out even if I didn't sound great That kind of experience goes a long way. I did end up buying a bass and amp from the Kansas City location, and honestly, I don't think I would've made the purchase without Kurt's help. Appreciate it, man.

This is now 5 times I've been in the Overland Park store and left frustrated. I went in to look at…read morea microphone. There were two employees behind the counter in the back room where the microphones are. One was messing with a synthesizer and the other was watching him. At no point did either look in my direction or ask if they could help. The microphone I wanted to look at had a spot in the display case but the mic was gone. Probably not in stock. So I walked out. The employee previously messing with the synthesizer was now behind the counter up front doing something on a computer or register, but there was no customer opposite him. I'll order the mic from another merchant online.

Nate helped me today and was amazing! I was buying a guitar for my son and he helped fill in my…read moreknowledge gaps and gave great food for thought in my decision process. He also tested the guitar for me and I was impressed by his playing too! Thank you Shining Light... you've got a good one there! The deal was incredible too!

I am so pleased with the great piano teacher match through Shining Light Music. When I called to…read moreinquire about teachers, I communicated that our requirements are stringent: my son is 6 yrs old, and while he likes piano, he doesn't looove piano, so the lessons have to be fun and engaging to encourage his progress. He's had 1.5 years piano instruction, and he doesn't respond well to some of the "too basic" piano book courses we had temporarily explored with a couple past teachers, so it's a challenge to level him up with material and technique that is age appropriate and fun enough but not too basic, nor too complex. And we had limited time availabilty as our schedules are maxed... It's such a blessing that the receptionist recommended Ms. Emily Shelp! Ms. Emily is well qualified; she possesses a Bachelor of Music in Piano Pedagogy from Bob Jones University and has been playing since she was 7 yrs old. Her bio is coming soon to the Shining Light Music teacher page. Best of all, she strikes the right notes - I couldn't resist the pun! - in working on my son's technique and making it fun. She motivates him with weekly fun point-competitions (to earn country stickers in his passport, medals, trophy, etc.) which has resulted in him reminding me that he has to memorize a song for the next lesson..cuz he wants the points! (whoo hoo, he's no longer resistant to practicing!!!!) I feel that she is the right piano teacher for his current level and needs; she employs a cheerful and focused Kindergarten/First Grade encouraging teaching style to keep all the lessons fun and on track, she's able to motivate and consistently award with positive reinforcement, able to redirect him when he gets silly (after all he's been in school all day, then straight to his lesson!) and I appreciate how she is able to teach finer technique in a way that he understands. She would be great for both beginner and advanced students.

I started my journey at Music House School of Music after seeing the incredible progress my kid…read moremade as a bassist. It inspired me to finally commit to learning an instrument, something I'd always wanted to do. Both of us started as beginners and, thanks to the amazing instruction, we now perform with bands. Music House truly is an incredible place to learn. Aiden and Jerad, my instructors, have challenged me in ways that have allowed me to confidently call myself a musician. My kid can proudly say the same. If you're looking to learn how to rock, Music House is the place to be!

Our 15-year-old son has been at Music House for 2 years. His confidence in his playing and his…read morecomfort in performance (he's an introvert and was quite reticent to be in front of an audience) has increased exponentially in the time he's been there. Their style of instruction has clicked for him and they have "gently" coaxed him into comfortable performance settings that have really done wonders for him, beyond traditional private lessons. He's asked for additional lessons and even played in one of their bands, results we couldn't have dreamed about the year before he started lessons.

For lessons: Our kiddo has been going to lessons since they opened and he loves them. He looks…read moreforward to them every week and they even walk him to his next class a few doors down. Highly recommend if you're looking for music lessons in Leawood area. For Birthday Party: We had another place cancel a few months prior and found out that Bach to Rock started hosting parties so we signed up. They did such a great job with the Birthday Party and all the kids had so much fun (and parents seemed to enjoy it as well). The teachers were so patient and kind; even when the kids switched instruments after teaching them the song or when they were hitting the instruments extra loud:) It was a very nice change of pace from other parties!

From the owner: Who We Are at Bach to Rock Leawood Music School Bach to Rock…read morein Leawood, KS provides music lessons for students of all ages and skill levels living in, but not limited to, Leawood, Overland Park, Prairie Village, Lenexa, Olathe, Belton, Grandview & Lee's Summit. Instruments we teach include guitar, piano, drums, voice, violin, trumpet & more! We are also the home of Beat Refinery DJ School which offers Mixing, Scratching and Music Production classes. B2R birthday parties and seasonal camps are great opportunities to play & learn music with your friends and make new ones! We also have early childhood classes for toddlers and preschoolers. Take your skills to the next level in a Glee Club or Rock Band. B2R offers opportunities for students to perform in venues around Johnson County & Kansas City.

Neil and the Backline Now team are really great, and very professional - highly recommend teaming…read moreup with them for your next local show! It's tough to find decent backline and technicians in the area (especially last-minute), but this company really came through with the best for our artist and show - high quality gear, very responsive and excellent backline techs. Everyone was very friendly, and the whole process, even though it was my first time working with them, was super smooth!

From the owner: DJ Gear Rental Musical Instrument Rental Kansas City…read more We Are Ready For Your Show Call- As a leading name in backline the industry, we take pride in being your premier destination for backline rentals, audio solutions, and production support. With a legacy of excellence dating back to our inception in 2005, we've been the driving force behind countless unforgettable musical moments since our establishment. Our commitment to innovation and artist satisfaction has fueled our journey, solidifying our position as a trusted partner for artists, bands, and production teams alike. Whether you're hitting the stage for a world tour, recording in a top-tier studio, or gearing up for a local gig, Backline Now is here to ensure your musical vision is fully realized. With strategically located branches across major entertainment hubs, we boast a large inventory of top-quality instruments, audio equipment, and backline gear. Our meticulously maintained and expertly curated collection is a testament to our dedication to providing you with the very best tools to elevate your sound. But we're more than just gear; we're a vital part of the music community. Our team is deeply embedded in the scenes that shape the industry, and our local roots give us a unique perspective. We understand the pulse of your music because we live it every day.

I am a retired individual whose only piano experience was over 30 years ago. I wanted to start over…read moreand looked for a teacher who had experience with older students like myself. I interviewed Angela and Kevin Traynor and was impressed by their approach, enthusiasm, and flexible payment plan. I have been taking lessons now for 6 months and I have found the lesson format meaningful and the teacher (Kevin) patient with me. Angela and Kevin wrote their own lesson materials which I find helpful to a beginner.. I chose a prepaid lesion card and find this payment plan flexible for my schedule which includes travel during the year. I highly recommend Angela and Kevin Traynor for any adult wishing to take piano lessons. I would also expect that any school age children would also benefit from their expertise and experience.

From the owner: Traynor Piano offers a unique piano learning experience that is tailored to meet each student's…read moreindividual needs and goals. Teachers Kevin and Angela Traynor have a combined 50 years of music teaching experience as two of the teachers in the Kansas City area who teach piano full time, rather than part time. They devote their non-teaching hours to developing their own unique learning method & student curriculum and composing new music. Lessons are offered in the student's home within 10 miles and last either 30, 45 or 60 minutes once a week, year-round. They also offer live music performances for your celebrations and parties, performing a wide variety of musical styles. Call today to get started! Email us to start receiving special offers!

Mark is the man...great repairman and saved me while my band was traveling through KC. So great to…read morefind a professional technician and a well-stocked woodwind and brass store while away from home; we touring musicians depend on it!

Excellent shop for repair. Several people recommended Dr. Note to us and it was easy to see why…read morethey did. It's a little bit of a drive for us, but completely worth it. He was friendly, knowledgeable and professional. My son's alto sax repair was done on the spot while we waited and for a very reasonable price. We will definitely go back.