Quick story: My husband and I walked into an antique store on the North Side a few years back. We were not greeted, although we were closely watched (never know when someone might slip an a vintage ottoman into his coat...) Anyway, I noticed several framed black and white photos of old movie stars, and asked the suspicious owner the price. He laughed disdainfully and scoffed, "THOSE aren't for SALE." (What was I thinking?) The point? You will not receive this kind of treatment at A Sound Education. When you walk in, you will be greeted and made welcome by the owners, Patrick and Mike, even as they deal with other customers. You will not experience any attitude, as often happens when novices attempt to speak to experts. Your questions will be answered, any work you need done on an instrument will be completed quickly and with care, and you will leave knowing you will be back. In addition, the store offers lessons and has a good selection of guitars and other instruments, accessories, music, and things like amps that I will not attempt to expand upon. The most important point here, however, is that Patrick and Mike understand the importance of making all customers feel welcome and valued, and that is a rare trait. read more

Friendly and knowledgeable staff. I've steered away from big box stores because the service isn't there, guitar center take notes. I've purchased my last guitar there and had them service another. Great selection of new and used with fare trade in values for your instruments will keep you coming back. If you've been shopping in Chicago, I would strongly recommend swinging out and paying these guys a visit. read more

Living here in Brookfield, we decided to give a local establishment our business when we were looking for a digital piano. Mike D. may be listed as "Chief Executive Drummer", but he sure knows his pianos too! The store was hopping with kids coming in for their Saturday music lessons, but he took the time to explain and demonstrate the features. We were sold! Two days later he personally delivered, set up, and tested our new Yamaha. Very impressed. We're sure to recommend A Sound Education to our musically-minded friends. read more

A Sound Education - Mike D. setting up and testing our new Yamaha. - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

Great staff and instructors. Mike patiently walked me through the sign up process and Brandon has been a patient instructor. Choice of equipment can be overwhelming as well for someone new to the process but I was helped throughout to get me the equipment I would need to get started without breaking the bank. Thank you!!! read more

This place is the best for taking care of all of your guitar needs. We count on them for the best customer service and support for keeping our instruments in top shape! Bryan and Jake are especially helpful! read more

Came in for guitar warranty service. Mike and team were very welcoming and provided immediate service and helpful tips. We have found our new guitar store read more

A Sound Education is incredible! I've been a customer for the last 7 years between vocal lessons, guitar repairs and many purchases. They go above and beyond! A couple years ago, I started buying everything I can from them instead of the lazy online route. Highly recommend you do the same! read more

A Sound Education - Latest project...new pick ups in a guitar I built. Pretty much a custom install because of how the guitar was built. Sounds great! - Musical Instruments & Teachers Near Me - Brookfield, Illinois

I live nowhere near this shop, but was in the area for something and have been looking for an inexpensive electric for my kid. Found the perfect guitar at a reasonable price. What a nice group of guys who own the shop! Good and honest to work with. Next time I'm in the area I will definitely stop by again. read more

I bring my instruments here for tune-ups regularly. Fair prices, really fast turn around, very friendly and knowledgable staff. Definitely recommend for tune-ups and they have great gear in stock. read more

Affordable lessons, shop that you can't help but leave with a long wish list, and very helpful, easy-going staff!

I've had my amp worked on here, bought a used acoustic, and bought strings and whatnot, too. Great little store. It's nice to talk to the guy who did the setup on the guitar you are buying. Good amp repair. Decent selection of amps and guitars (acoustic and electric) for the size of store, though it's obviously skewed towards the student or beginner. Great bunch of guys working here. read more

I have been taking lessons at this place for more than 8 years. Their teachers are all extremely top-notch and they do a fantastic 'out-of-the-box' job teaching you whatever you want to know. You can learn pretty much anything here, and you will learn it very well if you're willing to work for it. All their items are sold at a fair price and are of a high quality. They are also good with repairs and fix-ups. They won't try to cheat you or steal money from you; they're honest people supporting an honest business. all in all, I highly recommend this place. Top notch. read more

My husband and I have joked for a couple years about him picking up the banjo as a hobby. And since I suck at gift giving, I decided at Christmas that I'd just get him a banjo. But it was the 22nd, maybe, and where do you go to get a banjo?? Sound Education! I called there, and they told me they have one left, so I ran in with my two little kids to pick it up. They couldn't be nicer. Threw in a couple of extras for us, and told me they don't usually have banjo lessons, but sometimes have special workshops. I had some random questions about mandolin and mandolin-type instruments and lessons, and the guy there took some time to talk to me about it and was really patient and fun. We've since called with questions here and there, and they've always been just great. And it seems that they have a great space for music lessons. Our 6 year old wants to take guitar lessons, and we are definitely go to Sound Education when we start. read more

I was looking for a place that fixed broken keys on keyboards. A friend of mine told me about this place. They looked over my keyboard. Fixed the key that was broke and another key that I had no idea was going bad. They also repaired my pitch bend. They are friendly and have great service. My board was ready in a little less than a week. Thanks guys!!! I am back in the game. Very good Job! read more

A Sound Education rocks as a music shop. Having grown up in Brookfield, I am really grateful that a place like Sound Education is around. It is one of those community, personable shops that you can't replace. Years ago I took a few guitar lessons here and I was satisfied. Every time I have been in here, I have received great service. As a bonus, the sign they put up in front of the store to entice you to sign up for lessons is consistently very witty. "Girls Love Guys who Play Guitar" and other such phrases. I always got a chuckle out of it when I was driving to work or school. Definitely worth checking out if you are in the area and looking to get lessons and or/buy some musical equipment! read more

My daughter recently began 4th grade band at school. She likes it and I have no music training whatsoever. We walked into A Sound Education a few months ago unsure of what type of lessons we were looking for. Every single person who works here is so friendly and helpful. We were put at ease immediately. They have helped my daughter make purchases for items she needed but couldn't explain well enough to me for me to purchase alone. The teachers have been fantastic. And their payment policy is simple, honest and fair. I cannot say enough about our experience at A Sound Education. read more

Had the pleasure of shopping here today for a guitar for my budding musician's birthday (my 5yo son). Met Mike when we walked in. Very helpful. Very patient. Very knowledgeable. At least this totally musically ignorant mom thought so. He gave us info on lessons they teach but in a no pressure kinda way and I think we will be utilizing them soon. Will update to review lessons. Overall a great experience and always love supporting a local independently owned shop! read more

I went to Sound Education today to shop with my 15 year old for an electric guitar. We went in with not much more than her sincere interest in playing and, well, that's about it. Pat and Mike couldn't have been any more helpful walking us through our options and explaining to us the variety and price range for a beginner's kit, with guitar and amp. Honestly, if everyone ran their shop like those two, there would be a lot more businesses succeeding for as long as Sound Education has. I can't say enough positive about our experience. read more

My son has been coming here for guitar lessons with Keith since the age of 9 and he is now 16. Keith is an amazing musician and an even more amazing teacher and mentor. My son's guitar playing wows us each and every year, thank you Keith. Mike and Patrick the owners, are so helpful, and honest and nice. I highly recommend this amazing music school! read more

Knowledgeable staff, beautiful gear and great services. They have a flute for sale. I want to buy the flute. Plus they listen to mac demarco. read more

Sad to hear that MMM is moving out to the suburbs to A Sound Education in Brookfield, IL. I believe they are still trying reopen on April 1st, 2010. I'm sure the impeccable service will remain, I'll just have to drive a little further to receive it. read more

This is a great music shop! Anyone in the area should head here before going to Sam Ash or Guitar Center . . . competitive prices and you're supporting local business. I bought a body and neck from Warmoth guitar for a custom build and the guys at Sound Education could give the Warmoth people a lesson in customer service! After getting no help from Warmoth when my neck wouldn't "set up" right, Sound Education took care of it in a day, fixed the issues, and charged me much less than what I was guessing the final bill would be. They did much more than just a simple guitar set up but still only charged my the $35 set up fee. Also, I recently bought a seagull acoustic and was surprised to see that Sound Education offered the same low price I was able to find on the internet for the exact same guitar. If was aware, I would certainly have bought it there, saved on shipping, and been able to play the guitar before purchasing. Check Sound Education before you buy online! Add the fact that they offer great rates on lessons for all ages and skill levels to competitive prices, stellar guitar techs, and quality customer service, and you end up right back where I started in this review: This is a great music shop. And that's true whether you're a player who has built his own amps, guitars and effects pedals, or a player who has never played a lick in his life; can't say enough positive about this place. read more

Have some gear that needs to be fixed? This place has got you covered. Everything I have taken them, they have fixed in a timely manner at a reasonable price. Everyone I've spoken to at the location is friendly. I drive all the way from Chicago to do business with these people because I find them trustworthy, friendly and reliable. Although I wish the location was closer to home, they have never made me regret taking gear to them. I have had two PA's repaired, a Moog Little Phatty, a Roland Juno 106, a Sequential Circuits Prophet 600, a Marshall amp.....I'm sure the list will go on in the future. Do yourself a favor, let this shop take care of you. read more

Love A Sound Education - good instructors, nice practice space. Good selection of equipment for a neighborhood shop. They also support the community! Great guys, great shop! read more

Awesome local spot! I've been taking guitar lessons here for 3 years with Matt and it has been a blast. I buy all of my musical instruments here with my great student discount. Support your local music shop and come here! read more

I brought these guys a bunch of analog stuff to fix and they did a great job. Even when deltronics refused to work on my polysix I brought it here and they worked on it. read more

Brought in my Fender Chorus Reverb amp and they did a great job for a fair price.

My son and daughter have been taking piano and guitar lessons at Sound Education for close to six years. We have had a wonderful experience. Pat and Mike are knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and accommodating. They have been more than fair and understanding of scheduling conflicts, illness, things that just come up when you have kids....they always find a way to reschedule for us, we couldn't be more satisfied with their service. The teachers have been excellent (ESPECIALLY Ms. Sharon, she is AMAZING!!). The kids have really developed a love and appreciation for music and are becoming very talented musicians. We have purchased all of our instruments here as well, always happy to support local business and the student discount is great. Can't say enough about how positive our experience has been.....Sound Education is a wonderful place, you will not be disappointed! read more

I shopped here because I am an artistand knew that instead of a Big, Chain store these guys would understand my needs and treat me good. Boy was I wrong. The employees and owner treated me worse than the DMV. And I spent close to $1,000. I'm dissappointed. fake blues but real story read more

I bought a guitar for my son and he loves it. The staff is knowledgeable and its great having a local business that is a music store.

A great music shop. Awesome selection of instruments. They back up what they sell and are kind and welcoming. Great overall experience and would go here for any music needs. read more

Although the staff is friendly...they seem a bit young and inept. I am an over 40 trying to learn the guitar as a beginner but with some knowledge of chords etc..I scheduled a first lesson but they failed to realize it was a holiday, after the actual holiday and assured me they were open. Fast forward two weeks later....they're closed. They were very apologetic and threw in a free 1/2 hour lesson, which I think normally goes for $20. I show up for my free lesson and my teacher is nice but obviously in a hurry to leave for the night. He asked me what I wanted to learn and what bands and songs i like. I threw out a couple bands and songs and he tryed to re-create them on his guitar. It was somewhat helpful, but I had a hard time following what he was doing as he is obviously a pro. My question is aren't teachers supposed to know what to teach you in order to build the foundational concepts of guitar playing? My practicing is somewhat disjointed and non-productive so i was hoping for some guidance in that area. But i did learn a trick or two. I am opting for online lessons. read more

I took my wife's Yamaha digital keyboard in for repair several weeks ago. 13 years with no prior issues and one day it just wouldn't power up. I based my coming here on their reviews, compared to other 'recommended by Yamaha' service centers, and am I glad I did. Was told it might take 2 weeks to do, (that's okay, I'm in the service business too). Well surprise, surprise, they call me a few days later and tell me it's done. I tell the guy I am sitting down and ask him how much the repair bill is. He says $42.00, all it needed was a power fuse replaced. I love honesty. Even though the drive is almost an hour to get there, I'll definitely be back. Thanks again guys! read more

This is a great store. Good service, friendly staff and if they don't have it they'll get it just ask.

Have been here many times for instrument repairs. Everyone there is very nice. Mike and especially Pat are both standout guys and very honest and reliable. Musicians in the west suburbs should take note that they don't have to go to the city for high quality repairs!!! read more

A Sound Education is simply the best music instrument shop and music education center in the Chicago area. They are just good people to be around. I always feel safe and comfortable while I am there and know they are looking out for me. They offer great instruments at competitive prices as well as excellent customer service. Patrick is especially great at talking care of all my needs. I recently purchased a PA system which is absolutely fantastic to use. Plus, Patrick delivered it directly to my door! (Nice touch!) Over the years, A Sound Education has assisted me will all my needs as a part time musician. Patrick even arranged for 2 of his music teachers to participate in a studio recording for my charity organization. We have rented equipment as well and always had the best service. I could go on and on about all the great things they have done but the best part is that they are really good people who are kind and considerate of you needs first and sales second. Five Stars all the way! Oh... and excellent guitar repair service too. Fast and top notch. I recommend them to all my friends and future musicians to be as well. read more