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Best Music Shops In Minnesota

As a society, we surround ourselves with music. We use it to express our feelings, to commemorate special events in our lives and even to launch most sporting events. That is why many of us dedicate our time and resources to aquire the skills and abilities to create the art of music. Here are five of the best places in Minnesota to help you with musical instruments and equipment.

Groth Music
(credit: grothmusic.com)

Eckroth Music
3065 Centre Pointe Drive
Roseville, MN  55113
(651) 704-9654
www.eckroth.comRent or buy band instruments, orchestral instruments, guitars, amps, keyboards, drums and other percussion instruments at Eckroth. One advantage gained by starting at Eckroth is its Encore Program. The program allows customers to step up to a higher quality instrument when a child demonstrates talent to play beyond the capability of his or her instrument. Get up to 12 rental payments credited toward your new Encore instrument at an already discounted price. Eckroth locations in Waite Park and Fargo have the same fine musical instruments and programs.

Groth Music Store
8056 Nicollet Ave. S.
Bloomington, MN 55420
(952) 884-4772
www.grothmusic.com

For an amazing selection of quality musical instruments, sheet music, ethnic instruments found around the world and rare gift items, Groth Music has no peer. Founded in 1939 by Chester E. Groth, this store has developed a reputation for quality products at fair prices. Patrons may visit Groth's single location to take advantage of the knowledgeable sales staff, but shoppers can obtain Groth Music's more popular items online or in the 164-page Music Education Catalog. Schools and churches across the USA find this a valuable source. Nancy Groth Kersten has assumed her father's leadership in the Minnesota music scene with these expanded services and inventory all the while maintaining the integrity and values of an old fashioned family music store.

Minnesota Guitar Academy
3533 88th Ave. N.E.
Blaine, MN 55014
(763) 432-9713
www.mnguitaracademy.com

Get outfitted with guitars, accessories and sheet music at the Twin Cities' only guitar school for kids. The Childbloom Guitar Program provides high-quality music lessons in accordance with the standards set by the Minnesota Music Teachers Association. Music performer and academician, Eric Nehring, founded the Academy two years ago, relinquishing his position at the University of Minnesota.

Related: Best Places For Guitar Lessons

guitar
(credit: Thinkstock)

Homestead Pickin' Parlor
6625 Penn Ave. S.
Minneapolis, MN 55423
(612) 861-3308
www.homesteadpickinparlor.com

For a more funky, local shop, try the Homestead. The store prides itself as a supplier of new and used acoustic instruments and various other noisemakers used to play bluegrass, blues and Celtic. Avid followers of folk-style music will find all kinds of percussion instruments, pennywhistles, mandolins, harmonicas, guitars, fiddles, dulcimers, didgeridoos, autoharps and banjos. In fact, owner Marv Menzel has been doing this since 1979, when he fell in love with the banjo. Folkheads go to Homestead to find special supplies, obscure recordings, jam sessions, workshops and lessons all dedicated to the enjoyment of this unique music in America's heritage.

Schmitt Music
2436 Cleveland Ave. N.
Roseville, MN 55113
(651) 636-0801
www.schmittmusic.com

Music lovers have relied on this Minnesota fixture since 1896. While it is known for it selection of pianos, organs and keyboards, Schmitt also maintains the finest selection of saxophones and trumpets in the Midwest. In fact, nearly every instrument used in band or orchestra can be found at one of Schmitt's nine Minnesota stores in Brooklyn Center, Burnsville, Duluth, Edina, Maplewood, Minnetonka, Rochester, Roseville and Virginia. The Brooklyn Center store provides the largest inventory in saxophones, trumpets, strings and other orchestra lines. Go to any of Schmitt's fines stores for expert music lessons, instrument service and instrument repair.

Related: Best Places To Buy Music Gear Near The Twin Cities

Robin Johnson was born in Annandale, Minn. and graduated from Richfield High School and then the University of Minnesota where he studied Political Science, Business and Industrial Relations. A writer for Examiner.com, he also consults with a variety of organizations and individuals helping them develop and grow. His work can be found at Examiner.com.

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