Find a music lesson in Santa Monica, CA

Find music lessons in Santa Monica, CA

Find music lessons in Santa Monica, CA

Confirm your location to see the best music classes near you.
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Find music lessons in Santa Monica, CA

Confirm your location to see the best music classes near you.
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Top 10 music classes in Santa Monica, CA

Students agree: these Santa Monica music lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Ceballos Studio

Ceballos Studio

5.0Exceptional(6)
3 hires on Lessons.com
7+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Frida S. says, "He is an excellent teacher. He teaches in a way you will understand and enjoy it and he has a lot of patience(: I would totally recommend him to my fellow classmates/friends." Read more
Cornerstone Music Conservatory

Cornerstone Music Conservatory

5.0(1)
1 hire on Lessons.com
55+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
F T. says, "Commitment to quality music of all genres, including Classical, which is my focus. Well-organized business that makes scheduling simple. Reception staff is exceptional. Director of the school is most experienced in the area, and infuses dedication in all the students. My piano instructor is superbly qualified and has been a gem to work with. A place where I trusted my children's music education from their small childhood through high school." Read more
Producing With CJOY

Producing With CJOY

5.0(4)
4+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Dane E. says, "Great guy who taught me the inner workings of Ableton, thanks Christian!" Read more
Bray Ghiglia Music

Bray Ghiglia Music

5.0(1)
1 hire on Lessons.com
45+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
I have been inspiring students to feel the joy of making music for decades. I have a Degree in film Scoring and I curently teach Strings, Ukulele and Band at Ocean Charter School. I toured with former Eagle, Randy Meisner for four years playing Guitar, Flute Sax and Keyboards.
Jacob Abinante

Jacob Abinante

5.0(2)
3 hires on Lessons.com
11+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA
Daniel B. says, "Jacob is awesome! I have wanted to dive into jazz and this guy just gets it. He's super encouraging and actually makes it fun. I'm not just mindlessly pressing keys or following tutorials, I'm actually getting to learn about how music works. While our curriculum is focused on jazz, Jacob is never shy about teaching me the occasional pop tune that I want to learn. Most folks think you have to start playing an instrument as a youngster, but I'm an adult with a job and a family, and I can't believe how much I've progressed in such a short time. If you're looking for a piano teacher, this is the guy." Read more
Hear My Voice Academy

Hear My Voice Academy

5.0(1)
2 hires on Lessons.com
17+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Mason T. says, "Most genuine instructor I have ever met who is more focused on a spiritual and emotional balance before helping his students actually Find their own voice. " Read more
Jim Avakian Music

Jim Avakian Music

24+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Lessons are custom tailored for students needs. I believe the best learning to be experiential and inspired, if you’re inspired, you will practice! My goal is to inspire and encourage expression in the art form of playing piano, to bring out the student’s own natural musicality and self-expression. I want the student to really enjoy the learning experience! I use a combination of techniques in my lessons that coordinates the mind, hand, fingers, and spirit. I will cover sound foundation skills such as: Technique, Sight Reading, Rhythm Development, Theory, Exercises for Finger Development and Control, Improvisation, & Musicianship. Getting ...
Whiz Factory

Whiz Factory

5+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
I am a Harvard-Westlake and Yale alumnus. I can teach Math, Science, Spanish, German, and lots of other things. I also provide TRUE Academic Counseling and Career Counseling to prosper in this ever-changing world.
Birute Sinkeviciute

Birute Sinkeviciute

5.0(2)
1 hire on Lessons.com
Serves Santa Monica, CA
Cathy D. says, "First of all, I just wanted to say that I really liked your teaching style. I felt that you were passionate and committed to teaching kids at the level that they understand, and I think that is great. I think you are very kind, talented with your craft, and patient. You are a gem of a teacher." Read more
Sean Matsukawa

Sean Matsukawa

1 hire on Lessons.com
10+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Welcome! My name is Sean Matsukawa. I am a 2 time Grammy award winner and have worked with the likes of Kendrick Lamar, SZA, Ariana Grande, ROSALÍA, and more. I have over 15 years of experience as an audio engineer & producer and 20 years of experience as a guitarist and bassist. I am passionate about sharing the knowledge and tools to help aspiring musicians create what they would like to create and play how they would love to play.

Your Music Lessons questions, answered

Answers to commonly asked questions from the experts on Lessons.com.

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 Santa Monica music classes

Recent success stories from people in the Santa Monica area.
Preston L.
As an advanced conservatory professional in Miami, my experience with Hector has been eye opening. It has allowed me to grow leaps and bounds in 1 year all the way to my current level of playing.
Ceballos Studio
Albert N.
Christians DJ lessons really helped me get an idea of what I was doing on
Producing with CJOY
Emma D.
Jacob is very patient, skilled, and highly informed in music theory. I learned so much and we made a lot of progress in just one lesson. Definitely hit the jackpot having him as a teacher!
Jacob Abinante
R. Y.
Birute is always positive, and her criticisms are constructive ones. I would recommend her teaching to any student.
birute sinkeviciute
Cheryl N.
Arif is patient with my children and inspires. He lets them know their strengths, which empowered them to take their lessons seriously.
Arif Shakir Piano
Araceli G.
El es excepcional !! Trabaja con mucho respeto y empatía con mis hijas. Ellas están entusiasmadas de volver a su siguiente clase.
Easy Guitar
Stephanie F.
I am learning a lot with Christian and feeling more confident behind the kit!
Christian Poezach
-Bruce B.
"Kevin Katich is fucking amazing!"
Kevin Katich drum lessons
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