Renting an instrument has never been eaiser. Thye have great service and communication. Shannon is happy to help any way she can. Travis can fix anything.. fast. Plan and pricing is better than a certain other music store in normal. Thanks for always helping us!
Every one is always so friendly and helpful. We’ve been taking all our instruments there for years and have done a great job keeping them in great playing condition. Shannon is great at working with you to find a spot that fits both our schedules
The best!
Very knowledgeable very friendly. They treat us beginners with the same respect concert veterans
Super helpful and upfront with tactful explanation of options for the work needing done
2. The Music Shoppe Inc.
Address: 1540 E College Ave #4, Normal, IL 61761 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
We had a wonderful experience at The Music Shoppe. My son’s violin strings were not staying in tune and I thought the pegs would need replacing. Courtney was friendly and took a look at the violin. She explained to us what was causing the problem, and upon inspection, found that replacement parts weren’t necessary. She performed a quick repair and we were on our way. Her expertise saved us time and money. We have brought our kids’ instruments here for repair in the past and will continue to go to The Music Shoppe in the future.
Great service my son is learning guitar we went to buy a few accessories the gentleman that waited on was very helpful.Then my son broke a string and the gentleman that helped us was very patient when showing my son how to change them.
Awesome shop! Jay knows everything about guitars and is great with kids!
They have good rental violins. The strings are overpriced compared to the internet, understandably. Their violin selections for $1000-2000 is not great and overpriced for their quality compared to other violin shops I went to before. I have played for over 9 years.
I have to say I really liked The Music Shoppe! An excellent store.
I finally visited the shop to get a couple boxes of guitar strings. I just didn’t feel like ordering online. I want to see merchandise in-person!
Wonderful, friendly staff in the store. Great instrument selections.
The store was bigger than I thought, a pleasant surprise.
Make yourself feel good, check out an instrument for yourself, live…. talk to staff about what you’re looking for. Sorry, but I love these “real” businesses.
It’s a great store ,good selection of drums and cymbals unfortunately 2 people who work here believe that they are extremely talented musicians who are above you and speak down to you like you’re trash. I will say it’s only 2 of the employees but it seems like they’re here constantly . I came in wanting to spend $1500 on symbols but I Was helped by one of these individuals who basically pointed his finger at me and said do you need anything as he was walking by me, so I took my money somewhere else.
But the store is a good place and you should shop here.
They’re expensive, the cables and accessories they sell will usually cost nearly twice in price, just go on reverb or guitarcenter and order online instead. Saving customers money. The place is fairly quiet for a music shop and they have great service and employees though, I just wouldn’t suggest buying any accessories or equipment stuff like cables for electric instruments.
Us as parents made a mistake about payments on my son’s sax so they did what there Right was and got it back so we went in and bought one from them paid it full out that same day we bought it they informed the music teacher to take it they were picking it up the following Friday so my son had it removed from him in front of his classmates just before his Christmas concert he was crushed at something he was looking forward in doing
we had receipt for sax which we paid cash for so with them doing this my son no longer wants to do band or music just because the people at the music shop if I could give them negative 5 star I would who would tell a music teacher to take away a sax that was paid for from a child for no reason at all I hope u go out of business?
3. Bill Treakle Music
Address: 203 Ivanhoe Way, Bloomington, IL 61701 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
This is my personal favorite music store in town. He has a very diverse selection and is always very friendly.
Absolutely love this place!! I’m a DJ from Chicago specializing in all sorts of dance music, from 70s funk and RnB to deep house and techno. I found LOTS of great rare cuts at reckless saint in almost every genre I like to spin. I also came in with a few friends who are also into vinyl and although they aren’t necessarily avid collectors, they all were able to find some more well known classic rock and blues records they recognized and enjoyed. That being said, I ended up spending a good hour plus in the store after they left. Scott is a great, friendly guy with a great taste in music and an excellent ear for curating his selection. He even offered to let me look through a few crates of obscure 12″ singles he’d just picked up and hadn’t yet priced and, let me tell you, I could’ve spent another 2 hours digging through the rest of those stacks but I had to cut myself off. It’s tough to find spots that satisfy both obscure crate diggers like myself and those who simply enjoy collecting their favorite, well known records but reckless saint does that perfectly. It’s easily my favorite spot within 100 miles and even competes with my favorite Chicago spots. Not to mention he’s got a great collection of vintage stereo equipment and music gear on hand as well. I can’t recommend this place enough. It’s far from the largest selection but if you take the time to dig through a crate or 2, I promise you’ll find at least a few records that catch your eye and if you ask me, that’s better than a never ending stack of records you’ve never seen before. Well, actually that sounds kinda sick to me but probably not to normal humans who don’t spend half their free time in record stores digging for diamonds in the rough. In summary, Scott managed to fit a little something for everyone in a small yet inviting and open space. All I’d say is missing is a listening station or 2 to test out some of the older cuts and you’ve got a perfect record store
This place is awesome very very nice owner. Has some rare Albums and good prices. Even threw in a free 45!
Went inside and felt very out of place. This is not your typical record store. It’s definitely gives off a “let’s gentrify downtown” kind of vibes. If you’re looking for a classic record store vibe go somewhere else. It’s not the classic rock-n-roll / deadhead we’re all used too.
6. Piano Pathways
Address: 1014 Ekstam Dr Suite 101, Bloomington, IL 61704 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
If you’ve thought about piano lessons for you or your kids, check out Piano Pathways. My friend, Gretchen Church, has opened this studio and offers a learning experience like no other. I have started lessons after a 45 year break, and arm loving it. Gretchen meets me where I am and uses great teaching techniques for us “adults”. The group lessons make it fun for adults and convenient for parents because kids can have lessons at the same time. I’ve known Gretchen for years and she is a talented musician and a caring and fun person.
Gretchen is wonderful! So talented, so patient. Can’t get any better!
Gretchen is a phenomenal piano teacher. She exhibits both patience and professionalism, ensuring my son not only learns the technical aspects of the instrument but also develops a genuine love for music. I’ve seen remarkable progress in his skills and confidence under her guidance. Highly recommended!
7. Noteworthy Music-School For Strings
Address: 1920 E Oakland Ave, Bloomington, IL 61701 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
Some may say that I’m experiencing a mid life crisis, but truthfully I have always been in love with stringed instruments. In grade school we didn’t have an orchestra, so I ended up playing trombone/baritone. Now, in my early forties I have found myself enjoying learning to play viola with instructor Paul Huppert at Noteworthy Music. I’m certain it’s easier for children to learn instruments but I’ve been make great progress and actual music with my viola. Paul recently had me do my first recital with him and I playing a duo of violin and viola. I actually tend to lean towards my electric viola and since Paul has fine tuned his own electric violin. He is very patient and an effective teacher. I’d send anyone interested in learning violin or viola to Paul Huppert.
Absolutely great record store. Always cool finds here! Great prices and owner is great to talk to!
Been coming here for several years and never disappointed even if I only walk out with 1 record. Tons of 45s, great used and new LP’s, lots of rock, prog, local artists, Christmas, cool and obscure soundtracks etc. And he gets old school equipment, stereos and record players. Solid spot in town.
Owner was very friendly and helpful! Good selection of great vinyl albums at reasonable prices!
A little disorganized, but more than makes up for it with a wide selection.
Appreciate the advice about my turntable.
Terrible selection
Poor customer service. Didn’t even say hello to us when entering. The guy working (assuming it’s the owner) watched my son like a hawk. The owner was visibly annoyed with son looking at the albums. Owner commenting in a passive aggressive way to others in the store how he doesn’t like his albums handled. But customers don’t like buying albums with scratches either. Son put the albums away that he didn’t want under correct letter. Owner came over all annoyed shaking his head, and moved it with us standing there. Upon paying, the owner didn’t even talk to him. Took the card and gave the receipt. IIt is my son’s money but no way will we EVER shop here again or recommend it. Please be sure to read BizMark Key review also, because that review was spot on to how we felt.
David is a fantastic person who really knows his stuff. I didn’t even realize that this place existed, but it’s apparently been here for 31 years! Even if you’re just fiddling around, making acquaintances with these wooden friends, he is friendly and more than welcoming to even the newest pianists. Thanks, David. 🙂
13. Waiting Room Records
Address: 113 W North St, Normal, IL 61761 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
Jared is amazing, knowledgeable, friendly, and likes cats. And records!
Immediately giving 4 stars for the fact that I was greeted by Murph, the cat. The 5th star is for the fact I found Cold War Kids to add to my collection.
Great used CD selection, and overall a great place to find all different genres of music. Jared, the owner, is always a pleasure to talk with and really knows his music. He’s always able to make great suggestions and carry a friendly conversation. Miss seeing the old cat (Truck)around the place, but love seeing the new logo and shirts with Truck’s face. New cat is learning the ropes, and a fun addition to the atmosphere.
Small, kinda tight place but good music and lots of choices
Good selection of CDs and records.
Pretty decent record store. It’s cool but I definitely prefer North Street
The store has a good selection but I don’t like being stripped of my purse when I enter a shop. And I especially don’t like it being left on the counter when anyone can walk by and grab it
Rude cashier didn’t want any old cds not even one and he told me to get out because he didn’t want anything to do with me
Don’t go there to sell your records. Rip off
14. Kidder Music – Bloomington
Address: 802 S Eldorado Rd, Bloomington, IL 61704 , McLean County , Illinois , United States
Good people, listened to feedback and were customer service oriented.
Always helpful people that work there
Went in for drum sticks. No prices but guy said certain ones were buy one get one free. Had him check price on a set and she rang it up and said 5.25 for 1 set. Well 2 sets were 10.50. It’s not buy one get one free if you’re actually paying 5.25 a piece.
