After nothing but a series of frustrating experiences with a large music chain, I seriously needed a place to go where I felt respected and valued as a customer.This was the place!From the moment I arrived, I was greeted by Ryan and Lizzie who immediately offered their expertise and guidance. Much to my delight, I discovered they also offered lessons, and after today, I couldn’t imagine going anywhere else for a teacher.I was also able to observe Ryan interact with a young customer whose father was buying her an ukulele. He tuned the instrument—by ear—and handed it to her to play. He was positive and attentive, and Father and Daughter left the store smiling.The [Large Music Chain] is minutes from my house, and even if this lovely little store were in Raleigh—I’d make the drive.To Lizzie and Ryan, thank you for a wonderful musical shopping experience.

I came in today looking for an amp for my concert ukulele. Ryan was so nice and helpful when I had a question about which one to get. I will definitely continue shopping there.

Great place. Friendly and knowledgeable staff. I’ve bought a guitar amp here and recently had some work done on my guitar. I unsuccessfully attempted to install active pickups on my guitar at home and brought it here to get it fixed. The guitar plays and sounds great after Ivan corrected my errors and did a set up for my guitar.

Awesome, very friendly, knowledgeable. Was able to order what ever I needed. Highly recommend them

I talked with Ivan about an electric bass that I know nothing about. He was extremely patient and kind, gave me all kinds of helpful information. They have lots of services that are very reasonably priced.

This is a neat little place in the park Rd shopping center with lots of guitars and trumpets and drums. Good selection with comparable prices. The store was very neat and cozy.

Great little shop in Sharon (renovating forever) Corners. Drop by and pick up a set of strings or something. I was so happy with the work performed on two of my guitars I brought three more for fine tuning. Yes, I have a problem :- ). Howren is full service and in business for years, so I would encourage everyone to support this local business. I had set-ups and string changes on my little collection and they are playing like new.

I took a horn here for a tune up and it came back with new problems. Stuck rotors, valve screws loose. Never had these problems before.

I got a clarinet there and they were so nice!! They helped me and my father get the right stuff for the clarinet. It was just amazing

Stopped in to have Lee make adjustments to a new acoustic guitar Id bought. SUPER friendly staff and incredibly helpful - he made some adjustments on the spot and since it was minor stuff didnt charge me for it. He couldve easily convinced me to pay for all sorts of work it didnt need but instead he was honest and gave me some advice on how to care for it. Will definitely be coming back for any work I need done in the future!

Having just had a less-than-optimal experience at one of the large chain music stores in Charlotte, I decided to stop by Howren because it was on my way home. I was looking for a good starter guitar for my Daughter.I had experience with this store because my daughter was in her school band and Howren seems to have found their niche supplying band kids with instruments and lessons so I did not have high expectations. It is a small music store with what appears to be a small but varied selection.I was very pleasantly surprised when Lee spent a lot of time addressing my daughter directly, playing the different guitars at my price point for us, and showing her how to sit and hold the instrument to see what felt best for her. There were quite a few people in the store, but we never felt rushed or pressured...all for a 200 Dollar guitar.When I told him that I wanted her to sleep on it, he told me that it was not a problem and it should only take a couple of days to get another one if he sold out.You can tell that Lee (and the rest of the staff at Howren) has a genuine love of music and, more importantly, of getting kids started in music. By the time we left, my daughters excitement level about learning how to play was through the roof.I will definitely buy here.

Howren music is purely amazing. Their teachers are extremely intelligent and inspirational hard working people. My lessons are always fun. I always learn something new. The staff is very nice, committed, and will do what ever it takes to help someone out.Love it there!

Im not usually one to write on-line reviews but my experience with Howren Music has been so fantastic that it truly needs to be shared. I have 3 kids in Middle School - all 3 grades covered - and each of my kids is in Band. Each one plays a different instrument. EVERY experience we have had with Howren Music over the last 3 years has been an absolute pleasure and consistently exceeds my expectations. From our very first rental to our recent purchase of a step-up trombone and saxophone. In fact, Dennis took the time the day we bought the instruments to work with both my sons on their choices and basically gave a saxophone lesson to my 7th grader right there in the store. It was incredible! And it made my son feel so much more comfortable once school started. Especially since he didnt have a lot of experience with the saxophone.Julie, and all the staff at the store, have always answered any and all rental and instrument care questions I have had promptly and thoroughly. Honestly, I just cant find enough good things to say about Howren Music and recommend that ANYONE with ANY music needs go straight to them! You will NOT be disappointed. They are the best in the business by far!

Absolutely excellent and friendly place, and incredibly resourceful. Allowed me to rent both a cello and violin for a music project. Seamless process, and great service. Very happy to have chosen this place to rent instruments.

Very friendly and helpful staff. I highly recommend. Shop local!!❤️

You cant beat a 65 year old locally and family owned business! This family truly cares about you and your musical needs. The best in the business, hands down!

Great little shop. Brought my Les Paul in for a broken tuner key and Lee hooked me up while I was standing there. Great price and service. thanks again Lee

I am from out of town and was treated like a life long customer. Shout out to the store manager Lee for being super helpful and coming through clutch in a pinch situation before my sisters wedding.

Im an electric guitar player, not really accomplished in the acoustic realm, but Ive had several over the years. I was talking to Dennis on a gig about purchasing something decent & he suggested a Seagull. I had never heard of them, checked them out - Canadian made,good reviews. I tried one & really liked it. I went ahead & purchased it, put some Martin 10s on it & really came alive. Its a very nice guitar, plays great & features really nice workmanship. Its everything I wanted - integral pick up, cutaway, also has a small onboard tuner. I would recommend it highly.Tom Pope

Great local music shop. Instruments, gear, repair, etc. Theyre really there to encourage and foster the music community in the area. Extra praise for Lee, he is a wealth of knowledge and has led me in the right direction multiple times.

Howren Music has been great both with the purchase of my Guitar and Amp. ..s well as handling the violin rental for my daughters lessons.The only place needed for my familys musical talents. Thanks so much!

My daughter got her Clarinet with Howren Music. Nice quality and great shape. They took care of our needs whenever something was in question. They had all supplies available when needed. Would recommend this company for all your music needs.Thank you!!!

If you live near Charlotte, please dont miss out on an opportunity to take lessons here at Howren! I was on a long cross-country road trip and my last overnight stop was in Charlotte. Ive been wanting to learn how to play the Ukulele for a while, and thought having a lesson would be a great way to end my road trip. I called Lee just a few days before getting to Charlotte, and miraculously he was able to squeeze me in to see Rob Carlisle during the few hours I had available in Charlotte. Lee was extremely attentive to my unique on the road situation, and Rob was an INCREDIBLE teacher! I learned 3 chords, how to read basic music, and basics of strumming all in one lesson. Not to mention, got to share and hear some incredible life experiences with Rob. THANK YOU to all of you, this was the perfect ending to my trip!! Looking forward to more lessons online, and will definitely stop and see you guys the next time Im in Charlotte.

Pleasure to do business with. Needed a piccolo on short notice for marching band. They had one and quickly wrote up the contract at a very reasonable price.

About September of 1963 I was a kid with birthday money in my pocket sporting a desire to upgrade my Uke playing to being a guitarist! My father and I went to Howren Music where a nice fellow with a bow tie convinced my pop to match my birthday money so as to invest in a really descent guitar worthy of my musical inclinations. 55 years out the benefits of those early lessons still bring me joy every day.Kids walking in to Howren Music can still find a frendly advocate for the benficial rewards of musical inclinations given the right support to this day.

I rented a viola since two years ago, but my parents just rented a trumpet and my Dad asked him for a receipt and the clerk responded to my Dad that everything was in the case. Guest what? The trumpet book and the cleaning kit was behind the counter. He forgot to handed us this two items. We had to drove back 40 minutes. At least they could give us a call before we got home since we spent 20 minutes at the shopping center before we drove home. When we call the store they did not apologize at least.😨

Great salespeople. I went in to try trombones and they let me play every one they had! I tried their Kias and their Ferraris and they gave me a lovely experience. Definitely recommended.

Lee Foy went ABOVE & BEYOND going out of his way to demonstrate a portable Peavey PA system and microphones. His knowledge, desire, and willingness to listen and help has created a customer for life. #HowrenROCKS!

The absolute worst customer service ever. I dropped off an Alto Saxophone for basic service (change reed, mouthpiece, and possible pads). I was told that it should only take 2 weeks (which was good as this was 2 weeks before school started). 3 weeks later I called to get an update and they told me that it is in line to be inspected. On the 4th week, I finally get a call back that they need it for atleast another week and it was going to cost me $215.00. I told them no and they tried to plead with me that if I took it somewhere else then I was going to have to wait another 4 weeks because everyone is just that busy. Drove the saxophone up the street to Sam Ash and their music guy looked it over on the spot and gave me a box of 10 reeds and a mouthpiece for $60.00 and that was all I needed.

The last family owned music store in the area, third generation, support your local shops!

Friendly, helpful, great sense of humor!

For poor customer service, please shop here.

FOR BAD SERVICE, SHOP HERE.

Excellent Service!!!!