How Much Are Guitar Lessons For Beginners
How Much Do BEGINNER Guitar Lessons Cost?
The cost of a private guitar lesson for beginners varies depending on location and on the experience/reputation of the school or teacher.
On average, a quality 30min lesson costs anywhere between $25 to $35 USD
Here you can find Gentle Guitar™’s tuition options and prices.
If you scroll down the page, you’ll also see how our pricing is broken down and exactly what you get for your money.
Whether you decide to learn guitar with us or not, hopefully the information on this page will help you make an informed decision about guitar lessons for beginners, and how to understand the pricing structure for private lessons.
Gentle Guitar™ focuses on guitar lessons for kids and teens, but we also work with adults of all ages.
The Gentle Guitar™ method is gentle, thorough and systematic.
The tuition has a level-based structure, and is therefore ideal for kids and teens.
It is also a wonderful way to learn guitar for some adults who prefer a thorough and structured approach to learning.
Read more about our Beginner Guitar Lessons For Adults.
GENTLE GUITAR™ TUITION OPTIONS
Online Guitar Classes For Beginners
FREE (Trial Lesson)
Private Weekly Lessons on Skype
“The instructors really get to know the child” — Erin (USA)
“A wonderful way to expose a child to music
in their own environment” — Nikki (New Zealand)
Book a no-obligation free trial lesson to connect with a specialist teacher and get all your questions answered!
Types of Guitar Lessons
Private Lessons
Private lessons are taught face-to-face in real time. That means the teacher is live in front of the student. The teacher and student can be in the same room, or the lesson can be taught live on Skype. Private lessons can be taught at a music school, in a music shop, in the teachers home or in your home. Skype lessons are very effective if they are taught correctly and with the right methodology and attention to detail. Whether taught at a physical location or live on Skype, private lessons require the teacher’s presence and 100% focus on an individual student. These types of lessons will always be the more costly option. But this also means that you will make faster progress. A Gentle Guitar™ teacher will have a custom study plan that takes into account your goals, strengths and weaknesses. The teacher will challenge you and fix all your bad habits and playing mistakes.
Group Lessons
Group lessons, just like private lessons, can be taught at a physical location or virtually online. Groups can vary in size from small groups of 4 to larger classroms of 20+ students. The big difference here is that groups of students that meet at a location are able to play together in an ensemble or orchestra. Groups that meet online cannot do that. If you are taking lessons in a live online group, then it is a step up from pre-recorded video lessons. Guitar classes online are simply a more affordable version of private tuition. You get live interaction with the teacher via a group chat, and the teacher can address the group in real-time and answer questions and concerns. A pre-recorded video course doesn’t have the same level of student-teacher interaction. A live online group class is therefore always better for learning than pre-recorded video lessons.
Pre-Recorded Video Lessons
There are many pre-recorded guitar learning video lessons and courses. Some are paid and a lot are available for free. When you learn from a pre-recorded video it is not taught in real-time, therefore it is the most affordable option. It can be a good idea for beginner adults who want to get an overview about what it’s like to play guitar. But it can also put some people off because it can be overwhelming without a teacher telling the student exactly what to do and how much to practice. Pre-recorded video lessons are not good for kids. At Gentle Guitar™ we have tried several times to make pre-recorded video courses for kids, but we firmly believe that kids benefit from at least some live interaction with the teacher. And of course kids under 12 need the participation of an adult at all times during live online instruction.
What’s the BEST Option?
There is no right or wrong way to learn guitar. There are just HARDER and EASIER learning options! You have to find the right option for you. Just keep in mind that learning with a live teacher is ALWAYS faster and easier than learning without a teacher’s immediate help and feedback. Whether you’re learning guitar or anything else, the reason private teachers get paid for their time is because they make learning faster, easier and more enjoyable. They eliminate all the roadblocks and help students actually reach their goals. Learning a musical instrument is hard. Being a beginner is hard. In some cases a good teacher can be the difference between a beginner enjoying the learning process or giving up all together. Having said that, there are GOOD video courses and group classes out there. The info below should help you better understand the pricing structure of private lessons as well as what to look for in good guitar classes.
Guitar Lessons Cost
You can find a private guitar teacher who charges $80 per 40min lesson and a guitar teacher who charges $20 per hour! Why such a price difference? And is there an “average” price for guitar lessons? You’ll find the answers below! Also, whether you’re considering private lessons, live group classes, or an online video course, here are some things to look out for to help you evaluate and compare pricing.
Why do some private lessons cost more than others?
LOCATION
Local economy as well as national economy plays a big role in how much a private teacher charges for lessons. If a teacher’s rent and living costs are high, they also have to charge higher prices. Likewise if the median income in a particular state or county is high, then the tuition costs for all private lessons will also be higher because the cost of living is likely also be higher. That’s why lessons in the heart of a metropolitan city will always cost more than lessons on the outskirts.
SPECIALIZATION
Not all teachers teach lessons in the same way. Many instrument teachers are part-time musicians and part-time teachers for extra income. Their main passion is doing gigs on the weekends, and during the week they teach guitar, while maybe also having a job during the day. Part-time teachers can charge less for lessons because they have other sources of income. It also means that their attention is not 100% focused on the quality and value of the tuition.
There are professional teachers. The only thing they do full-time is teach. They have developed their own teaching styles and systems and they focus 100% of their attention on the quality of the tuition. Full-time teachers have more time to pack more value into the lessons. They will charge more, but you will also get more out of the lessons. The teacher will not be exhausted from a Friday night gig and the lessons will be organised and focused on you.
Also, Is the teacher specialising in kids tuition? In beginner tuition? In jazz lessons? In Classical guitar? Make sure you choose a teacher who has carved out a niche for him or herself and is amazing at teaching ONE thing instead of someone who teaches everything to everyone, but does it without real experience or passion.
Gentle Guitar™ for example, is a music school that specialises in kids and beginner tuition and works ONLY with professional teachers. This is what we do for a living! The benefits of a music school is that there can be even more structure and uniformity to the lessons. At Gentle Guitar™ we have decided to specialise in kids and beginner guitar tuition. We have our own hand-made teaching method and custom teaching systems developed for kids and beginners. We have a dedicated team constantly improving the tuition and the learning experience for our students. The benefits of taking lessons with a school such as Gentle Guitar™ is that when you work with a team of teachers you can pay less for quality private lessons and get more value as a whole. Our lessons start at only $25 per 30min private beginner lesson, and you get the full attention of an expert teacher and a team of specialists who are developing and improving the tuition!
But not all music schools are like Gentle Guitar™. Most music schools teach many different instruments and employ many different teachers. At Gentle Guitar™ our entire team specialises and focuses on kids and beginner guitar lessons. This gives us a global advantage and gives the student the best value private lessons. Lessons with Gentle Guitar™ are not dependent on any local or regional economy. Our students and teachers live all over the world and meet virtually on Skype! That’s how we can keep our tuition costs fair while focusing on offering best value premium quality private tuition. You can now work with a dedicated specialist without overpaying and without having to live in an expensive metropolitan area!
EXPERINCD & METHODOLOGY
The other thing to look for that adds value to any guitar lessons, is the methodology and experience of the teacher. Has the teacher created his or her own teaching systems? Are other teachers in the field looking up to him or her for inspiration and advice? Has he or she improved the way guitar is taught? Has he or she created something innovative that other teachers want to use? The BEST teachers are those who have created a community around themselves and are known and respected as an expert in their field.
At Gentle Guitar™ we have created our own innovative teaching systems that are now used by private teachers all over the world to make guitar learning for kids easier and more fun.
A teacher who is constantly looking to improve his or her tuition will end up having a unique style of teaching that is optimal for his or her studnets. Such a teacher will have passion for their program and teaching philosophy and you will be able to see and feel this passion from miles away! Look out for a teacher who is making a difference! Read the testimonials and reviews, is there a passionate community of students who LOVE the results they are getting?
PERSONALITY
Last but not least, a great teacher has a great personality! Personality adds much VALUE to any private tuition. A great teacher will motivate his or her students naturally and gently. When a student looks up to a teacher, that teacher is a true mentor. A mentor can impact lives and introduce positive changes and personal growth. A great guitar teacher is just a very nice and kind caring person who wants the best for you, not only as a guitarist, but in all other areas of your life as well. Like any great coach, such a teacher will mentor you in a way that you can use the skills you learn from guitar in many other professional and private situations as well. But, first and foremost, a good guitar teacher is a good friend. Not like a buddy type of friend, but someone you end up developing a long-lasting relationship with, someone who will come to know your weaknesses and strengths, and someone who will help you see yourself in a new light. Meeting with such a private teacher once a week for $25-$35 is an investment not only into your guitar tuition, but also into your personal development, especially if you are someone young, or are getting the lessons for a child or teen who has their whole life in front of them and will benefit from an inspiring role-model.
Average Cost of a Guitar Lesson
The average cost of a guitar lesson across USA is about $25 USD per 30min lesson. This is on the lower end of the price scale for private music lessons. Typically, piano lessons cost a bit more than guitar lessons. Music tuition in Europe tends to be overall more expensive than in the USA, possibly due to higher income/taxation in Europe vs. USA. But on average if you are paying between $25 to $35 per 30min guitar lesson, you are NOT overpaying. If you are paying less than $20 per 30min lesson, consider the points above. If you are in a remote location, then there may be nothing to worry about. But in general if the price for private lessons is too low, you should be suspicious about the teacher’s overall experience, qualifications and teaching methodology. Good teachers will at least charge average prices and often have higher tuition fees the more experienced and sought-after they are.
How Do You Get Started?
The best thing you can do, is what you are doing right now! Read reviews and testimonials, read about the teacher’s teaching methods, style and philosophy. Read about what kind of guitar genres they are teaching and who their favourite types of students are. If this information is not explained on the website, call and interview the teacher! Or show up in person for a free trial and evaluation, if there is one.
After you’ve read enough and understand a bit about the teacher’s method and philosophy, then go ahead and book a free trial lesson! Meeting the teacher in person is the best way to find out if you will get the best value for your money or not. That’s why we offer a free trial lesson! Learning guitar on Skype is a new way to learn, and many parents and students are skeptical about whether the lessons are as good or as effective. Unless you try it, you won’t experience the kind of premium tuition and quality that we offer. You will miss out on the opportunity to have specialised professional lessons in the comfort of your home! Don’t miss out, book a free trial to experience something new! You can always try a local lesson later, but if you are looking for best value lessons for yourself or for a child, then definitely give our free trial lesson a go! We devote our lives and our careers to creating the BEST VALUE guitar lessons, and we do it in a smart new way that is effective and convenient for our students and our teachers.
A Complete Brain Workout!
Music Study Plays a Center Role in Well-Rounded Education
Music study can be a platform for personal, ethical, cultural and intellectual development. In the past, individuals who did not play a musical instrument were considered uneducated and uncultured.
The proper study of a musical instrument is one of the most powerful developmental disciplines in human history. Music study cultivates a good character and teaches essential personal and social skills.
As a society we can be mindful about how music is taught to kids because it takes excellent role-models and a proven system to teach music lessons correctly, in a way that delivers lasting benefits!
You Can Trust The Specialists At Gentle Guitar™
At Gentle Guitar™ we’ve made it our mission to improve the way that music is taught to young people.
We create our own teaching methodologies, and publish our teaching method that is now used by private guitar teachers all over the world.
We have developed a unique teacher-training framework, and are constantly improving our teaching tools for both teachers and students.
Gentle Guitar™ is here to make the choice of adding premium music tuition trustworthy, easy and convenient no matter where you live!
Gentle Guitar™ Is More Than A Music School
We Are Role-Models And Mentors
Gentle Guitar™ teachers are professional musicians and trained guitar educators.
We work with a unique age-appropriate teaching method and coach each child at their individual level.
With a gentle approach and plenty of patience, we inspire children to get excited about learning!
We go out of our way to be excellent role models for kids and teens of all ages.
We are a small international team, bringing quality music tuition to students all over the world!
The Gentle Guitar™ teachers are specialists in kids and beginner guitar tuition.
Over 1000+ lessons, 9 countries, 7 years of results!
Book a no-obligation free trial lesson to connect with a specialist teacher and get all your questions answered!