Guitar Lessons Cost

• Private guitar lessons run about $15 -$25 a half hour or $20 -$45 for an hour lesson, although teachers specializing in advanced students may charge $50 -$75 or more an hour, depending on the instructor's expertise and reputation. Beginning students often take half-hour lessons (an hour can be overwhelming, especially for children), but the length usually depends on the teacher and the student. Typically, a teacher or music studio will want to be paid at the start of each month.
• Group guitar classes range from $40 -$80 or more a month, depending on the number of students, the length of sessions and the qualifications of the instructor. The registration fee is usually paid at the start of each series of classes, which can be 1-3 months long.
• TheoryLessons.com offers free online written lessons and FreeGuitarVideos.com provides free video lessons. There's a wide range of online guitar lesson services selling books, CDs, DVDs or webcam classes for $20 -$50 or more, or $5 -$10 to learn individual songs. Teach-yourself books, CDs and DVDs are for $6 -$50 or more.

• Private lessons give the opportunity for immediate feedback from a trained teacher. During a typical lesson an instructor may review assignments, listen to the student play, make comments, explain the theory involved in a particular exercise or piece, or play an assignment so the student can hear it performed with proper technique and styling. Usually there will an assignment to practice before the next lesson.
• The Suzuki method teaches extremely young students to play by listening and repetition rather than reading music. It's generally recommended that children be 4-10 years old to start Suzuki guitar lessons, and a parent may be required to attend some or all sessions, which are done both privately and in a group setting.

• Expect to spend anywhere from $25 -$100 a year for music books or other materials related to your lessons.

• College students might provide low-cost lessons; contact a nearby campus.

• Some teachers offer an initial "get to know you session" for free, to determine if there's a good match in personalities and musical instruments between the teacher and student. Be sure you understand what style of music will be covered, and how much emphasis the teacher places on reading music or learning music theory. The Music Teachers National Association provides a brochure about choosing a teacher for your child.
• Guitar classes are often available through adult education programs, community centers and community colleges. Private lessons are available through music stores; you can also ask for teacher recommendations from the music departments of local schools and community colleges. Search for guitar teachers at WholeNote.com.
• Strings Magazine provides a directory of stringed-instrument music schools.

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