Find a guitar teacher in Palo Alto, CA

Find guitar lessons in Palo Alto, CA

Find guitar lessons in Palo Alto, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best guitar teachers in your area.
Zip code

Meeting location

Find guitar lessons in Palo Alto, CA

Share a few details and we'll show you the best guitar teachers in your area.
Zip code

Meeting location

Top 10 guitar teachers in Palo Alto, CA

Students agree: these Palo Alto guitar lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Johan Stone

Johan Stone

New on Lessons
Offers online services
14+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Hi, my name is Johan. I recently moved from Nashville to SF and I have been a musician all my life. In Nashville I played with several bands, professionally, spent most of my days on the road, touring the country, recording ,writing and performing. Now I'm in SF and would like to teach you the joy of music.
Shanley Guitar Lessons

Shanley Guitar Lessons

5.0(2)
Top Pro
Offers online services
1 hire on Lessons
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Marcell says, "Flexibility of lessons. We’ve switched focus areas multiple times and I’ve been able to learn from each topic." Read more
Fat Hat Music

Fat Hat Music

New on Lessons
Offers online services
3 hires on Lessons
15+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
All of my students develop all the skills necessary to not only be an excellent guitarist, but a stellar musician.
Ed Johnson Guitar/Novo Tempo Productions

Ed Johnson Guitar/Novo Tempo Productions

5.0(4)
Offers online services
34+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Brandon S. says, "I took both guitar and singing lessons from Ed on and off for a number of years, both in person and remotely. I was an intermediate/advanced guitarist and a beginner/intermediate singer when I started lessons with him. I have had guitar or voice teachers here and there over the years, but Ed has been the most effective for me by far. I am most impressed with how quickly and easily Ed is able to zero in on very specific areas that need to be worked on to improve. He then always seems to have a useful practice technique to address the issue. This effectiveness combined with his easy going and laid back personality make lessons with him an absolute pleasure." Read more
Sedat's Music Lessons

Sedat's Music Lessons

5.0(1)
Offers online services
3 hires on Lessons
14+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Armand N. says, "Sedat has been a great instructor. His lessons are fun and informative. I've played for over 5 years and after a few weeks of lessons from Sedat, I can see exciting improvement in my playing. He's great!" Read more
Kid Music Lessons

Kid Music Lessons

5.0(4)
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Aditya S. says, "Alison has been really flexible with scheduling and seems to be really good with younger kids (pre-teen). Ours seems to be having a lot of fun, while still gradually getting better at the guitar. We’ve been with her several months now." Read more
Bill Cope Music

Bill Cope Music

5.0(3)
Offers online services
41+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Lewis S. says, "I have studied Bulgarian and Macedonian style tambura (guitar-like folk instruments) with Bill Cope, off and on, for about 30 years. I have had private lessons in his home and I have been in group classes at various folk music and dance camps, most often the Mendocino Balkan Music and Dance Camp. For his classes at music camps Bill always arrives with charts prepared for both the students who can read music and with tablature for those students that cannot. He is careful to show how to care for the instrument and he is rigorous on showing the correct hand movement and positions unique to the folk style. He has planned out the sequence of skills necessary to start and improve one’s ability to play in the folk repertoire and style. When I have worked with him in a private setting he has been very generous with his time and talent to prepare notes for tunes I have requested and has also helped me find the chords for tunes I am learning. Bill’s repertoire includes material from simple folk songs for the beginner to advanced concert pieces for the virtuoso filled with the interesting ornaments that are characteristic of these styles. I have been present when Bill was accompanying performers and bands from Macedonia and Bulgaria and I have danced to the music of his own bands at performances and parties. " Read more
Karen Mullally

Karen Mullally

New on Lessons
Offers online services
31+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Hi, my name is Karen Mullally and I teach beginning, intermediate, and advanced guitar to children and adults. I play and teach all musical styles, including pop, folk and rock, classical, and jazz. My lessons are fun and affordable and I have endless patience. The first lesson is free.
Gelb Music

Gelb Music

New on Lessons
32+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
Gelb Music, based in Redwood City, California, has been dedicated to assisting both pro and beginner musicians for over 80 years. This long-standing music shop offers not only instrument sales, rentals, and repairs, but also provides accessories and lessons. Their experienced staff helps each customer find the finest gear suitable for their specific needs, emphasizing that at Gelb Music, it's always about the music.
MusicEmbryo

MusicEmbryo

New on Lessons
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
18+ years in business
Serves Palo Alto, CA
You get a personalized experience learning your instrument. Experience that evolves into the best version of your performance. Watching students become happy artists that can express themselves the way they want to through music.

Your Guitar Lessons questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.

How much do guitar lessons cost near me?

Guitar lessons cost $35 to $70 per lesson, depending on if they last 30 minutes or up to 1 hour. If it's a one-on-one lesson, it'll cost around $45 to $70 hourly. Learning guitar in a group is cheaper at $25 to $35 per session.

If you're taking lessons every month, it adds up to $170 to $315 with the typical prepaid discount.

Are guitar lessons worth it?

Guitar lessons are worth it since only a professional teacher giving you live feedback can guide you to learn faster. A good instructor helps you understand your mistakes and prevents you from developing bad habits.

Learning guitar by yourself takes a lot longer and won't prepare you as well to play in public.

At what age should I start guitar lessons?

Children can start guitar lessons from the ages of 6 to 10, or when they can comfortably hold the guitar and press the strings. Adults can start guitar lessons at any age, provided they practice regularly and patiently.

How many guitar lessons do I need?

The number of guitar lessons you need varies according to your goal and your practice routine. For many people, it typically takes about 2 to 6 months to play a simple tune. Mastering the guitar like a professional can take anywhere from 4 to 10 years.

What do you learn in guitar lessons?

In most guitar lessons, you can expect to learn:

  • How to correctly position your fingers to play chords
  • How to tune your guitar
  • How to play various scales
  • New techniques for plucking and strumming
  • How to read sheet music.

Are online guitar lessons good?

Online guitar lessons cost $35 to $55 per hour and are good for getting personal instruction from skilled teachers worldwide. Take advantage of flexible scheduling and immediate feedback while learning new guitar-playing styles. Plus, you can easily record lessons to review their advice later.

How do I find the best guitar lessons near me?

In order to find the best guitar lessons for you, look through nearby teachers listed here on the Lessons website. You can also ask for teachers at local music stores or community colleges.

Before you hire a guitar teacher, make sure to:

  • Check out prices from at least 3 different teachers.
  • Read their reviews on Lessons and Google.
  • Ask for a list of their current or previous students that you can talk to.
  • Talk to other parents about the teacher's reputation with their children.
  • Make sure you get a written agreement and schedule before your first lesson.
  • Avoid making a big payment upfront for a month of lessons until you're comfortable with the teacher.

What questions do I ask when choosing a guitar teacher?

To find the right guitar teacher, you can ask them these questions:

  • What kind of music degree do you have?
  • How many years of experience do you have in teaching guitar?
  • Can I have a free trial lesson to see if your teaching style helps me?
  • What is the average age of your students?
  • Will you assign me finger exercises as homework?
  • How often should I practice between lessons?
  • What textbooks do I need, and where can I buy used ones?
  • How many guitar-playing styles are you an expert in?
  • Can you modify your teaching style to suit my learning abilities?
  • What should I bring to our lessons, and how long is each one?
  • Can I get a copy of our schedule, agreement, and payment terms?
  • What is your policy if I have to cancel a class due to an emergency?
  • Can I choose some of my favorite songs to learn on the guitar?

Reviews for Palo Alto guitar teachers

Recent success stories from people in the Palo Alto area.
Saulo Q.
Jonathan is incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the guitar. He takes his time explaining and breaking concepts down and has always worked with me to meet my specific needs. I have tried lessons with other people before, and by far Jonathan has been the best experience I have ever had with a guitar instructor. I have now been taking lessons for a year and a half and am grateful for every single moment.
Shanley Guitar Lessons
Francesco D.
Ed is super friendly, calm, and very knowledgeable. He knows how to tailor lessons to my skill level and interests, and I've made great progress in my singing and guitar playing over the past few years. You can tell how much he loves music, and he truly seems to enjoy sharing the gift of music with me. I always feel comfortable making mistakes given how supportive and encouraging he is. I'm really glad I've got Ed as a teacher!
Ed Johnson Guitar/Novo Tempo Productions
E F.
Alison taught lessons to me and my kids. It was a lot of fun. She was great with the kids and provided me with challenging pieces. She is technically competent and has a really great relaxed teaching style.
Kid Music Lessons
Charlie E.
I have worked with Bill in classes and one-on-one. The experience is always rewarding. I have been working on Macedonian Tambura - a guitar or lute-like instrument. I have heard Bill play multiple instruments in multiple bands; truly, too many to count. He is a master musician and a master of theory. His knowledge extends beyond playing music from all over the world, to knowing the background of that music and how it is constructed. Amazing practical knowledge, technical knowledge and teaching ability. I highly recommend Bill Cope.
Bill Cope Music
Minh N.
Guitar Lessons For Everyone
How Lessons.com works
Search

Search, get cost estimates, contact teachers, and book—all for free.

Compare

View profiles, read reviews, check qualifications, and see prices before hiring.

Hire

Ask questions, confirm their availability, and hire the right tutor when you're ready.