For 40 years, Make’n Music has been a staple of Frederick, Maryland’s music community, evolving from a mom-and-pop shop into one the city’s largest destinations for instruments, lessons, rentals and professional services. To celebrate the big anniversary, the store hosted live bands next door in a neighboring brewery and celebrated with longtime customers and its community.
Make’n Music was founded by Reg Nusbaum, who opened a small storefront on West Patrick Street with just one employee, Gary Hunt. They filled the walls with brands like Fender and Peavey. Nusbaum’s commitment to offering guitar and drum lessons has earned the shop its reputation as Frederick’s one-stop shop for musical needs.
“I was a sales rep in the music industry and install places that did installs, and there really wasn’t a store in this area in the early eighties, so that forced me to do something and we opened a store in July, 1984,” Reg said.
As the customer base grew, so did the business. In 1997, Make’n Music relocated to its current home at 7540 N. Market St., a significantly larger space that allowed the store to expand its inventory and services. Today, the shop carries gear from more than 50 manufacturers, spanning high-end boutique equipment to affordable beginner and practice instruments. This expansive selection has helped Make’n Music remain accessible while still appealing to professionals and touring musicians.
“Comfortability is one of the most important things we value when customers come in, especially new players, and for them to not feel intimidated,” said Ryan Nusbaum, son of Reg Nusbaum and employee of the business. “We want to make sure we’re here to help them get the right instrument, whether they’re a professional or a beginner.”
“The community is big with helping artists and coming to support musicians,” Reg added. “We just did a fundraiser for acoustic guitar packs for Guitar for Vets.”
Education has always been central to Make’n Music’s mission. Private lessons continue to be one of the store’s most successful programs, with around a dozen instructors offering lessons in guitar, bass, banjo, violin and drums. Beyond private instruction, the store regularly hosts student recitals, demos, and community-focused events that give musicians opportunities to perform and learn.
One of Make’n Music’s most beloved traditions is its in-store clinics. These clinics bring notable artists into Frederick to share their knowledge directly with aspiring players. In addition to sales and lessons, Make’n Music has expanded into a full-service operation, offering an in-house repair shop and a rental and installation division.
Looking forward, Reg said at some point the store has plans to expand from its current location as the business continues to grow. As Frederick’s largest instrument lesson, rental and sales dealership, Make’n Music carries gear from more than 50 manufacturers. MI
