Find a music lesson in San Francisco, CA

Find music lessons in San Francisco, CA

Find music lessons in San Francisco, CA

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

Find music lessons in San Francisco, CA

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

Top 10 music classes in San Francisco, CA

Students agree: these San Francisco music lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Shanley Guitar Lessons

Shanley Guitar Lessons

5.0(2)
Top Pro
Offers online services
1 hire on Lessons
2+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, 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
Dan Lupo Music

Dan Lupo Music

5.0Exceptional(7)
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
8+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Gabriel H. says, "I’ve been working with Dan for a little over a month now & after taking a break from piano for over 6 years I’ve been able to get back into it and learn things I never learned in my previous 15 years of playing piano. Dan has been amazing at helping me work towards my goal of learning more music theory and composition. " Read more
Dillon Vado's School Of Music

Dillon Vado's School Of Music

5.0Exceptional(13)
Top Pro
Offers online services
9 hires on Lessons
15+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Arav B. says, "My favorite part of being Dillon's student was his willingness to tailor his lessons to my particular needs, and his ability to teach me not just as a musician but also as a fellow human. Dillon was versatile, teaching me how to play many different percussion instruments. He helped me see through many of my goals and was the first music teacher who challenged and empowered me to feel like a true musician. My time with Dillon have profoundly impacted not only my relationship with playing music, but his mentorship during and beyond lessons has also shaped how I approach life as a whole." Read more
Smart Hands And Minds

Smart Hands And Minds

4.9Exceptional(11)
Offers online services
8 hires on Lessons
25+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Rameez S. says, "Marshal is a great teacher. My son is getting home lessons and I am quite happy with his progress. Marshal understands my child and tries new techniques at his level. Marshal listens to my child and talks to him which makes it easier for him to learn. Marshal is a decent man who talks less but makes sure he is working hard. Would definitely recommend him!" Read more
Brig Urias

Brig Urias

New on Lessons
Offers online services
10+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Brig Urias is a guitarist based in San Francisco. In his 20+ years of experience, he has developed an approach that is at once retrospective and forward-thinking, drawing upon a rich tradition of classical guitar artistry while seeking to take his skills in new and exciting directions. Brig is a dedicated educator with nearly 10 years of experience in teaching a variety of ages and skill levels. He seeks to foster a positive learning environment and inspire a love of music in his students while emphasizing the development of a strong technical and musical foundation. Brig specializes in teaching classical guitar, but is is happy to teach any
Ali Soliman Drum Lessons

Ali Soliman Drum Lessons

5.0Exceptional(11)
2 hires on Lessons
14+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Amber G. says, "I've been taking lessons with Ali on Tabla and standard drum kit and I am so happy to have found him! Not only is he a talented percussionist, you can tell he's also incredibly passionate about teaching. He's really great. He's always prepared for our lessons and I'm learning so much each time we meet. It's also nice that he has a convenient home studio with lots of drums to choose from! Overall, A+++ experience with Ali!!" Read more
Daniel Avina

Daniel Avina

New on Lessons
Offers online services
1 hire on Lessons
6+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
I am a guitar and ukelele teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area who has been teaching since 2016 incorporating rock, jazz, country and classical into my repertoire and teaching style. My approach for each student varies depending on what their goals are for the instrument and themselves. I like to get people playing as soon as I can, and add elements of music theory and musicality as well as technique and style based playing. I currently teach through two music schools in the SF/Bay area where I serve a number of students of all ages interested in different styles and aspects of their instruments, and who come from various backgrounds with d
Travis Yee

Travis Yee

New on Lessons
Offers online services
1 hire on Lessons
10+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Hey! I'm a dedicated creative with extensive experience, offering empathetic, student-focused teaching. I adapt to your learning style. Guitar: With over 16 years of experience from Bay Area gigs to studying at Berklee, I specialize in improvisation and songwriting. I provide interactive, skill-level adapted lessons aimed at unlocking your musical creativity across any style. You'll get weekly exercises to enhance your learning and develop your fretboard fluency. Production: As a Berklee-trained Electronic Production and Design major, I offer comprehensive lessons in production, focusing on Ableton Live. Starting with the basics, we break
Yanowitz Tutoring Services

Yanowitz Tutoring Services

New on Lessons
Offers online services
Serves San Francisco, CA
I tailor lessons to students' unique learning styles and interests. Depending on student's interests I can teach a combination of sight reading, harmony, ear training, technique, and songwriting. I have taught popular, jazz, and contemporary piano styles to students of diverse ages ranging from 5 to 65. I hold a Bachelor's Degree from Yale, a certificate in jazz piano and composition from the acclaimed Dick Grove School of Music, and an MS/MBA from Purdue. I enjoy watching my students's improve their performance skills and seeing it carry over to other parts of their life (i.e. school, work, confidence, and discipline.)...
Dorisiya Yosifova Violin

Dorisiya Yosifova Violin

5.0(1)
9+ years in business
Serves San Francisco, CA
Pamela T. says, "Dorisiya is an excellent teacher! She has a lot of expertise and is very good at explaining it to her students in a manner tailored to their experience (in my case, an adult beginner with 12+ years background in piano and intermediate music theory). She helps make sure that I enjoy what I'm working on, but also pushes me to improve, which I really like. We are still doing lessons together remotely, where she remains quite effective and fun to work with." Read more

Your Music Lessons questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.

How much do music lessons cost?

Music lessons cost $40 to $90 per hour. Most teachers offer weekly lessons in order to provide regular feedback, keep students motivated, and provide enough opportunities to learn new techniques and pieces of music. More frequent lessons do not provide enough time to practice and master skills between lessons.

To save money on music lessons consider group lessons, which are often cheaper than private lessons and allow you to learn from other students. Another option is to take online lessons which tend to be more affordable than in-person lessons and can be a great way to learn from a qualified teacher that isn't local. Finally, look for scholarships or grants to help pay for music lessons.

At what age can you start music lessons?

The best age to start music lessons depends on the individual and their interests. Most experts agree that children can start learning music as early as 3 or 4 years old when they can communicate and follow instructions. There is no age that is too late to take music lessons – even seniors can benefit from learning or improving their musical skills.

Studies have shown that children who are exposed to music at an early age have better language skills, memory, and problem-solving skills. Music lessons help improve fine motor skills like hand-eye coordination and finger dexterity which are important for other activities like writing and drawing. Learning to play an instrument can also build a child's self-confidence and help to develop a child's creativity.

How long does it take to learn an instrument?

The amount of time it takes to learn an instrument depends on the instrument, the student's age, and the amount of time they practice. In general, it takes several months to a year to learn the basics of most instruments including how to read music and play basic scales and chords. With regular practice, students can expect to play simple songs within a few months.

Piano, guitar, and percussion instruments are some of the easier instruments to learn. Strings and horn instruments take a bit longer to learn. Becoming proficient at any instrument takes several years of lessons and regular practice.

Do I need an instrument at home to take music lessons?

No, you do not need an instrument at home to take music lessons, but it does make it easier to practice and improve your skills. Without an instrument at home, you will need to find an instrument to practice between lessons if you hope to improve.

Before investing in any musical instrument, you will want to talk with the music teacher to find the instrument that is right for you. Guitars are a popular instrument for beginners since they are relatively inexpensive to buy. The flute is another simple instrument to learn and is a good choice for students who want to learn to play an instrument quickly. Pianos are a more costly instrument but are a popular choice for families since everyone can enjoy playing the same instrument.

How do online music lessons work?

Online music lessons are similar to in-person lessons, only the teacher and student are not in the same physical location. Using video conferencing platforms such as Skype or Zoom, the teacher and students can communicate with each other from the privacy of their homes.

In order to take advantage of the affordable online lessons, you need a computer and internet connection with good audio and video quality to avoid frustration. The teacher and student join the video call and the lesson proceeds in the same way they would for an in-person lesson. Online music lessons require more focus and patience and are not suggested for very young students.

What questions should I ask a music teacher?

Here are some important questions you should ask a music teacher before you start taking lessons:

  • What is your teaching style?
  • What is your experience teaching music?
  • What are your rates?
  • How long are your lessons?
  • What is your availability?
  • What are your expectations for students?
  • Can you provide references from your current and past students?

How do I choose a music teacher?

Choosing a qualified music teacher is important for those wanting to learn or develop their musical skills. Find a teacher that fits your schedule, budget, and learning style by following these recommendations:

  • Look for a teacher with a degree in music or years of experience teaching your preferred instrument.
  • Make sure the teacher with a teaching style that suits you. For example, if you learn better with a more formal teacher that focuses on technique, don't choose a teacher that is more relaxed and focuses on creative, free-style playing.
  • Find a teacher that is affordable for your budget and has availability for lessons that fit your schedule.
  • Confirm that the teacher will help you reach your goals whether it is to learn a new instrument, read music, learn music theory, or just have fun.How do I choose a music teacher?

Reviews for San Francisco music classes

Recent success stories from people in the San Francisco 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
Andrew Z.
I have been taking voice lessons with Dan for about two months now, and have noticed obvious improvements. Dan demonstrates and communicates concepts in a way that is easy to understand and he also gives clear and actionable feedback. Beyond this, he is friendly, accommodating, and responsive -- all amazing qualities to have as a teacher and person. Highly recommend to anyone looking to learn more about music.
Dan Lupo Music
Tina C.
Dillon is not only a talented professional but also a fantastic teacher. My 4th grader has developed a passion for music and blossomed thanks to Dillon.
Dillon Vado's School of Music
Nicole S.
Marshal is not only a gifted musician but also highly skilled at teaching. Marshal infuses music theory into his lessons, helping me understand the meaning behind the notes. He also uses personalized techniques to help with proper hand placement and reading sheet music. As an adult student, I was nervous about picking up an instrument but Marshal customized his curriculum to my learning style, characteristics and ability, making my journey with the piano an enjoyable yet challenging experience! I've been working with Marshal for only a few months and I've made great strides in my ability to both read sheet music and play the piano. He's also very patient and highly personable! I highly recommend working with Marshal. Very excited for my future lessons and continued piano skills growth!
Smart Hands and Minds
Apple U.
Ali is an amazing drum instructor. He is very patient, professional and very kind. My daughter never wants to miss a class with him.
Ali Soliman Drum Lessons
Samaju G.
Theory of Music
Lisa Ramon C.
Sean isn't an excellent teacher. He covers everything. Theory and songs you want to learn. I am quite pleased and I have taken from a few instructors. He is one of the best!
Sean Griffin Guitar Lessons
Clayton N.
Aaron has helped me a lot. Especially improving my left hand capabilities. He is familiar with many different styles of music. He is also very good at figuring out how to play pieces that were not written for accordion.
Amazing Accordion
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