I'm so thankful for the Music Room. We are currently renting a French Horn and just started lessons for our 6th grader to supplement school band lessons. Lessons have been top notch so far; he's thrilled with his highly qualified and amazing instructor. They are always kind and professional. Our instrument needed some repairs; no problem! They gave us a loaner instrument quickly with no fuss. The instructors always appear so focused and engaged with their students and happy to see them. So thankful to have this business in Palatine. read more

My daughter took lessons at The Music Room for years. She tried a number of instruments over the years; violin, piano, and bass guitar. The Music Room's team was unfailingly responsive and flexible whenever my daughter wanted to change instruments. I highly recommend The Music Room for rental and lessons. I felt like they really cared and they made working with them easy. Carol, Carley, and everyone else we interacted with was great. The Music Room taught my daughter a love of music without pressure or fuss. read more

The Music Room has a good selection of instruments. Not a crazy big Guitar Center selection, but better than your average independent shop. While I was there I talked to a few staff members, all of whom where polite and super helpful. I tried out a few guitars while I was there, and each of them was in great shape and set up very well. This is quite the opposite of some other stores I've been to where they let the guitars get used and abused and then hung back up on the wall. In fact, when I went to the Music Room I was wearing a hoodie with a zipper, and they asked me to take it off before I played any of their guitars so the zipper wouldn't scratch it. I realized I shouldn't have worn a hoodie to test out guitars, but I also saw this as a sign that they really do care about their instruments, and is probably part of the reason they are in such good shape. One of the guitars I tried out there was a BC Rich Zoltan. I'm not normally a BC Rich fan, but this guitar had one of the best setups I've ever played. Super low action, no string buzz, effortless playing. I know they give lessons there but I don't have any experience with that. According to their website, they also have jam sessions where students can play together with other students. There are a few different levels available. That's pretty awesome and not something I have seen before. Summary: - good selection - all instruments in great shape and set up well - friendly, knowledgeable staff - lessons available - jam session lessons available read more

When The Music Room was across the street on Slade and had a little bitty store, it was homey, cute, and comforting. It's since moved across the street into a bigger location which is great for them! I was disappointed the first time I went in because I loved the little store, but generally a bigger store = bigger revenue so I had to be happy for them. My voice teacher is no longer there, but when I took voice lessons it was a really wonderful experience. The classes were in little studio rooms so you could hear the person next to you, and that kind of freaked me out for a bit until I got used to it. But, you're in a music store, so if people hear you singing or playing you should probably get over it since you're not in a music studio with soundproof walls. I'm not sure how the rooms are now, but I know they're on the 2nd floor and they look like the same setup. They are reasonable on pricing for classes, and when I looked into violin lessons (which I still have unfortunately yet to take from any music place... it's on the bucket list!) they were great about renting instruments and explaining the lesson policies and pricing. They have a large selection of books for all types of instruments, and while I haven't ever purchased an instrument from them, I've noticed their large stock of instruments. The staff is friendly and helpful, and they are knowledgeable about what they're selling. It's always nice to get a little insight into the music tastes of the person you're talking to and see what direction of music books they can point you in. I love to make it a point to visit when I'm in town. Keep it up Music Room! read more

LOVE this place! They are always helping us out in a pinch when my kids are a bit brutal with their instruments.

I love your store! Yay! It's so nice to know I can come here whenever I run out of picks or strings for my guitar without having to drive a long ways to a bigger chain. And, I greatly appreciate your friendly kind honest service. Happy Holidays! Peace Barb read more

I took guitar lessons here for a year, and bought one of their instruments. The lower level employees are always very nice, well groomed individuals. The place itself is nice, clean, and has a decent selection of instruments. This is an okay place to buy an instrument from. You can always get a better price ordering online, and you may as well go to Guitar Center if you just want to try an instrument, because they have a larger selection for that kind of thing. This is not a good place to take lessons at. The teachers are not well paid and although they tend to be individuals who care about what they are doing, they are stressed by their long hours and will frequently get defensive and outright yell at students who disagree with them - no matter how polite the student is. I took lessons with one of the guitar teachers, who I only had an incident with once. I tried to explain to him the purpose of an alternate tuning idea I had thought of and he stubbornly refused to agree (or even agree to disagree) that my tuning had any merit whatsoever. He spent the whole lesson arguing with me, telling me that my idea was worthless. I told him he had wasted our time, which he made a hissy fit of the next lesson. I did not respond, merely telling him I wanted to continue with the lessons. After that, we continued having positive interactions as per usual, although I never showed him any of my more creative ideas again. I took a make up lesson with a teacher who no longer works there, and he spent the entire thirty minutes criticizing me ("Have you ever even looked up a formal definition of dissonance?") and an arrangement I brought in to work on (I asked him three times if we could work on helping me play it). He instead kept telling me that my arrangement was created incorrectly ("You will never be able to play this" and by now, actually, I can play it) and that he wanted me to do it his way instead. He later told one of my classmates who was also taking lessons there that talking to me about music was like "talking to a RadioShack employee about electronics." I took a voice lesson with a stand-in teacher who yelled at me at the top of his lungs because I told him I thought he was wrong about something. To his credit, he did calm down after a few minutes and focus on helping me to improve. I took a make up lesson with a very well rounded instructor who accepted that I could disagree with him and had a very positive experience with him, but he worked there for a short time because the low pay does not keep good teachers around for long. Furthermore, when I bought one of their guitar, I had it brought in to have some frets sanded because a few specific frets were buzzing. When the guitar was returned to me, there were no frets sanded, and instead the action was raised to the "factory standard" (absurdly high, there is 3/4 inch of space between the strings and the fretboard at the 12th fret). I talked to a manager about this and he got incredibly defensive, bringing me a post it note with a time scrawled on it to show me their "record" that the guitar had an "expert" take care of it, who could not be bothered to speak to me about my guitar. I would highly recommend against taking guitar lessons here. If you do, choose an instructor very carefully. Test him to see how he responds to disagreements. I would highly recommend against buying instruments here. It is cheaper to buy online. I would highly recommend against bringing in your instruments to be maintained. My instrument was returned to me in a worse state than I brought it in - unplayable. I would highly recommend against any interaction with any of the managers. They are incredibly angry individuals, who will instantly get defensive and alienate you. read more

I do not recommend this place!!!They went up their tuition from mothly flat fee to weekly without a proper notification. And if you miss a class or even a few weeks of your lessions, there is no make up classes, you still have to pay the full tuition even thought you give them ahead of notification!!! They also not friendly when you brought any concerns or questions. Pricey And Not friendly! read more

Good store run by very nice and honest people, which is, unfortunately, a rarity in retail music equipment these days. Case in point - They've gone out of their way to help me with some malfunctioning equipment when they stood nothing to gain financially one way or the other. If they're willing to do that for someone who walks in off the street with a broken item they don't even carry, think about how they treat paying customers. That's the kind of quality local business I want to spend my money at. Give The Music Room a shot. read more

My husband came to the Music Room to buy me a guitar for my birthday, and he said they were so helpful. I couldnt be more grateful, cause my guitar is beautiful! I took lessons for a couple months, but had to stop when I was planning our wedding. Their lesson scheduler is very easy to use and organized. Making up lessons if you have to miss is no problem. If your teacher cant make it, you always have a knowledgeable sub to stand it. I've gone in just to buy accessories/work books, and they are always welcoming and helpful. read more

I come here to buy piano sheet music, and am always impressed with their selection and the recommendations of the staff members! I haven't taken any music lessons here, but would definitely consider it if I had the time! They seem extremely knowledgeable. read more

I've been attending the Music Room as an adult student for over a year. My guitar teacher Steve is great. All the staff bends over backwards to help you out. I'm also extremely pleased with the instrument servicing there. If I had three hands, I'd give this place a three thumbs up rating. read more

In case you wondered, the Music Room continues the same wonderful service that John H wrote about in June 2010. I came in today with a ukulele that my daughter got from the internet. I was looking for someone to help me restring it and figure out a problem with one of the tuning knobs. I had even bought the strings somewhere else. Paul was great, took the time to figure it out, super nice and personable! Even though I planned to pay and expected to be charged, they won't hear of it or let me give them a tip. So stop by and tell Paul you heard how wonderful they were. read more

I went there to return a cable for an amp that i bought 3 weeks prior. It was making noise once in awhile. A $20 cable. Naturally, when the employee plugged it in it worked fine. I was told that if i had a problem with it again that i should contact the manufacturer. Nice return policy at this place. I wouldnt recommend this place for any major purchase. If you have a problem, you'll be referred to the manufacturers website. read more

If your looking for personal service in a relaxed no pressure setting, The Music Room in Palatine lives up to that standard and then some. I've been particularly impressed with their music lesson programs, great for kids in grade school who want to pick up an instrument. Aspiring "Eddie Van Halens" can find lots of entry level options and help from their staff. I'm a big fan of supporting local brick and mortar businesses (even if it means paying a little more) because of the personal service offered. If you hobbiest, and feel intimidated by the big "warehouse" stores and want a bit more than a "cold" internet/ebay sales experience, The Music Room is well worth your time. read more

How nice to be pleasantly surprised by a competent music store & store staff member ... I took my young daughter's cornet into the shop (The Music Room in Palatine) to see if it was in need of a tune-up (we bought it in "mint" used condition from a private party...but you never know, right?) ... And instead of any sort of up-sell, or you-are-in-dire-need-of-these-products spiel, the staff member (a trumpet player himself), examined the cornet, patiently showed me (without me asking) how to take out and grease/oil all of the valves and slides, how to clean it with the brushes etc. He said it was in great shape, no tune-up or repairs needed, pronounced it a nearly bullet-proof instrument and sent me on my way. Great customer service ! We have a couple more purchases we need to make (namely a mute, ahaha !) so definitely going back there to buy later this week when I can bring my daughter with me ... read more

I attended one of TMR's classes on guitar setup as I was having trouble with my Strat. Michael, the tech who taught the class, He stayed with me afterwards because he noticed the guitar's neck was bowed and I wanted to learn how to adjust the truss rod. Long story short, Michael showed me why my efforts to fix the neck were in vain -- the truss rod's socket was stripped. I ended up bringing the guitar back to get a new neck put on and a setup. The whole procedure was done for a great price and Michael kept me updated every step of the way. Ever since "The Operation," my guitar has been playing great! I did need to bring it in a few months later for an adjustment as the neck settled, but the cost was minimal. Every time I come into the store or talk with MIchael, he gives a thorough explanation of what's going on, along with great advice. Everyone in the shop I've met has been super friendly and they've kept my business even since I've moved out to the city. I highly recommend TMR for guitar setups and repair work. read more

The instructors are good but the management sucks..It was once a good place for lessons but now it is more money minded and business oriented. read more