Find a music lesson in San Jose, CA

Find music lessons in San Jose, CA

Find music lessons in San Jose, CA

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

Find music lessons in San Jose, 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 Jose, CA

Students agree: these San Jose music lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Mrs. Lin's Music Studio

Mrs. Lin's Music Studio

4.6Awesome(5)
Offers online services
12 hires on Lessons
22+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Shen S. says, "I have been studying with Mrs. Lin for more than 2 years. I learned a lot along the way, so highly recommend." Read more
Soulfulwake Studios

Soulfulwake Studios

5.0Exceptional(5)
Offers online services
5 hires on Lessons
10+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Lonnie C. says, "I've had other vocal lessons, and none have compared. I always give up after a short while because I don't see the results. Maybe that was a mistake and I should have stayed longer, but what I do know is with Sarah, literally in the first lesson I got more than I had gotten with any other lessons. I've now been with Sarah for a full year and have no intention on stopping. The growth that I've had is undeniable even to myself and I'm by far my biggest critic. Things I was struggling to record just 4 or 5 months ago I've recorded recently and those struggles weren't even a concern for me. I almost didn't go with Sarah in the beginning because we are in different states, but the lessons being remote don't have any impact on the quality as these are better than all of my in person lessons of the past. Highly recommend!" Read more
The Piano Studio Of Dr. Ali

The Piano Studio Of Dr. Ali

5.0Exceptional(25)
5 hires on Lessons
23+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Winnie J. says, "Dr. Ali is absolutely amazing! Getting ready for the RCM Associate Diploma was super stressful, but she really went the extra mile to make it a fantastic and efficient prep. I genuinely look forward to every session with her." Read more
Bill Cope Music

Bill Cope Music

5.0(3)
Offers online services
42+ years in business
Serves San Jose, 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
Neil Kelly Guitar

Neil Kelly Guitar

5.0Exceptional(8)
Offers online services
15 hires on Lessons
24+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Robert J. says, "Neil is extremely knowledgeable and has a way of teaching that really puts it together. Great experience so far and look forward to learning more." Read more
Orange Music Studio

Orange Music Studio

5.0(4)
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
20+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Amit C. says, "My son went to Orange Music Studio for a year until we moved. He took Guitar lessons from Juliana and really loved the lessons. He was able to attend the annual recital at the music school, and me and my wife were very happy with our son's performance. Orange Music studio is very well organized and there is so much happening there that we felt tempted to try out different activities. Overall I highly recommend Juliana for Guitar lessons and also Orange Music Studio." Read more
South Bay School Of Music Arts

South Bay School Of Music Arts

5.0Exceptional(14)
2 hires on Lessons
41+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Hung H. says, "Teaching experience! Joe, as a long time educator, knows how to explain and demo the drum lessons to my two kids. Not just technical issues, Joe also motivates them into learning drum. Highly recommend! " Read more
Purcell Flute Studios

Purcell Flute Studios

5.0Exceptional(9)
Offers online services
6 hires on Lessons
Serves San Jose, CA
Carolyn C. says, "As an adult student returning to flute studies after years of not playing, I really appreciate Kathleen's very positive and supportive attitude. She provides an atmosphere that includes not only feeling good about playing music again, but also does not sacrifice attention to detail and correctness, which ultimately makes for a very rewarding learning experience." Read 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 Jose, 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
Brad Davis Guitar Lessons

Brad Davis Guitar Lessons

5.0(1)
Offers online services
21+ years in business
Serves San Jose, CA
Santosha N. says, "Brad has helped me with chords that I never thought I could play. This has helped me as soon I will be able to start to play more advanced tunes. He has encouraged me to keep going and has gone out of his way to transpose material when we were not in session. He really cares!" 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 Jose music classes

Recent success stories from people in the San Jose area.
Christia Tamse M.
Ms. Lin is very knowledgeable and my daughter has learned to play and improve quickly. Ms. Lin is kind and patient as well as flexible with her time. My daughter feels confident more and more after every practice. Thank you Ms. Lin!
Mrs. Lin's Music Studio
Jess B.
Sarah, Jess and Liezl are all amazing teachers! I’ve been excited about my progress so far and I’m looking forward to continuing to grow and learn! My next goal is to get into the recording studio and apply all the strategies I have learned.
Soulfulwake Studios
Agatha D.
Our kids absolutely love Dr. Ali and the way she teaches. Her creativity lights up every part of her lessons. Dr. Ali uses really smart ideas to make music learning a life-long passion for her students. She also organizes studio sessions, masterclasses, and performances for all of her students. We feel lucky to be part of Dr. Ali's successful studio.
The Piano Studio of Dr. Ali
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
Sara S.
Great lesson!
Neil Kelly Guitar
Shruti P.
Orange Music Studio was definitely one of the highlights of my high school career! I took lessons from Gala Yaroshevsky for roughly two years and she was one of the most passionate and influential teachers I've had in my life. She has the ability to go far beyond just teaching the notes and techniques and makes music such an immersive, enjoyable, and unique experience for her students. She guided me through the Advanced level of the Certificate of Merit and both the Flute Choirs and Philharmonic Orchestra of the San Jose Youth Symphony. It would not have been the same with anyone else!
Orange Music Studio
HG
My son has been taking drum lessons with Joe Santoro for the last six years. Over the months and years we have seen tremendous improvement in his drumming abilities. Joe is an excellent teacher. He has been such a positive influence in our son's life. He genuinely cares about his students and wants to see them succeed.
South Bay School of Music Arts
Reid S.
Kathleen is very serious about teaching music but she makes the classes fun and enjoyable for everyone. The recitals have a variety of musical styles and are something to look forward to throughout the year. My son has grown to love playing the flute. Thank you Kathleen!
Purcell Flute Studios
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