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.
Josh Benson-Merron Piano

Josh Benson-Merron Piano

5.0(2)
9+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA
Teri H. says, "Josh is patient and supportive. He makes piano lessons fun, listening to his students and finding creative ways to keep them interested and engaged. Our son looks forward to his lessons and loves collaborating with Josh to play interesting music that inspires him." Read more
GP Drum Lessons

GP Drum Lessons

New on Lessons.com
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
I’m Gavin I’m offering drum lessons to aspiring musicians. I’m a High School student and have been playing drums for almost 4 years. My main focuses include jazz and rock. I’ve played with musicians that have toured all around the world and have tried my best to learn from them. I try to teach in a way that students find fun and also productive. I find this helps them stay dedicated and enjoy themselves in the process.
Piano4Everyone

Piano4Everyone

New on Lessons.com
24+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Group piano classes for children and adults. Private and semi-private lessons. Fun classes taught by professional piano instructors with graduate degrees from top university.
Ryan's Piano Lessons

Ryan's Piano Lessons

4.0(1)
1 hire on Lessons.com
6+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Seema H. says, "He is patient with my child and doesn’t push." Read more
Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Flute Studio

Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Flute Studio

5.0(2)
Top Pro
6 hires on Lessons.com
17+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Carrie N. says, "Jennifer quickly assessed my abilities and was able to get to work on teaching me. I learned a great amount in our first lesson alone. She is very knowledgeable, answering any question I had and offering more insight as well. With good direction from Jennifer along with practice I was able to see a difference in my playing very quickly. In addition to her skill, knowledge & teaching ability, her teaching style is very focused. She shows understanding and can explain things in multiple ways until you comprehend it or reach the intended goal. As someone who has played the flute for many years, I would recommend Jennifer to anyone looking to learn to play -young or adult- or improve their playing if already experienced." Read more
Christian Poezach

Christian Poezach

4.8Excellent(15)
5 hires on Lessons.com
32+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA
Adrian L. says, "Best drum teacher I have ever had! Has helped to advanced my drumming an incredible amount in the 4 months Ive worked with him. Very encouraging and precise great teacher 10/10 !" Read more
Richard Schwagerl / Rhythmic Magic

Richard Schwagerl / Rhythmic Magic

5.0Exceptional(7)
46+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Nick B. says, "Very good teacher, makes me want to practice and learn, and has a very good style of teaching that is very helpful." Read more
JohnnyGSax

JohnnyGSax

New on Lessons.com
Serves Santa Monica, CA
Hello! My name is John Lindsay, and I am a saxophonist in the Los Angeles area. I've been playing for saxophone since middle school and since then I have played in many different types of contexts such as jazz, r&b, pop, funk, classical, etc. I studied music at Berklee College of Music in 2020, where I expanded my musical experience even more. I'm here to use my experience to teach you how to play saxophone and elevate your music career!
The Val Larsen Music Studio

The Val Larsen Music Studio

5.0Exceptional(10)
5 hires on Lessons.com
6+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Lei W. says, "Val is a great voice teacher. I enjoyed working with her in the last few months. She is patient, kind, and supportive. She taught me breath management skills and helped me gain more confidence in singing." Read more
Live Online Music Lessons W/ Jeff Brent

Live Online Music Lessons W/ Jeff Brent

5.0Exceptional(27)
75 hires on Lessons.com
34+ years in business
Serves Santa Monica, CA & Online
Adesire O. says, "i love him" Read more

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.
Eli B.
Josh is a supremely skilled and very patient piano teacher who really cares about his students. Incredible attention to detail!
Josh Benson-Merron Piano
Jenna J.
Jennifer was an amazing teacher. She introduced me to concepts that had been overlooked by previous teachers and directors and helped me discover that there is more to music than playing the right notes.
Jennifer Kennedy, Kennedy Flute Studio
Fujhan Bagherzadeh As A.
That’s the greatest drummer instructor in the world. We love you.
Christian Poezach
Erinn M.
He has such a great teaching method. He knows how to make music accessible to all ages and all abilities and teach in a way that it makes sense to everyone. My 2 kids and myself took drum, piano, and bells from him and we all learned more than just reading music off the sheet, but how to create our own pieces, and jam freely with other people. I’ve had many music teachers in my life and he gave me a key to music that no other teacher had. Very patient and worked very well with my autistic child who needed a slow and gentle hand. I highly recommend Rich!
Richard Schwagerl / Rhythmic Magic
Creed L.
I’ve had three of my children working with Val and they have loved it! Each has developed in their skill in beautiful ways whether in voice, guitar or harp. I couldn’t recommend Val more, she’s wonderful!
The Val Larsen Music Studio
Gracie H.
I’ve been taking bass lessons with Jeff Brent for about 5–6 months and recently started guitar lessons with him about 2 months ago, and I couldn’t be happier with the progress I’ve made. Jeff is an incredible teacher—extremely talented, intelligent, and deeply knowledgeable about music. What really sets him apart is that he doesn’t just teach tabs or shortcuts; he dives into music theory and explains things in a way that makes it click. It feels like I’m learning the right way, with a strong foundation that will benefit me no matter what instrument I pick up. Jeff is also super flexible with scheduling, which makes it easy to find a time each week that works. The fact that he teaches through Zoom is not only convenient, but it also makes his lessons affordable since I don’t have to drive anywhere. On top of that, he can teach just about any instrument ( except trumpet🤣), so I know I’ll always have room to grow under his instruction. He’s not only a gifted musician and teacher but also a genuinely nice and funny person, which makes lessons something I always look forward to. I honestly wouldn’t want to be taught by anyone else from now on. If you’re looking for a teacher who knows his craft inside and out, makes learning enjoyable, and adapts to your needs, I can’t recommend Jeff Brent enough. He also has a band called 7heSep787 check him out on youtube!
Live Online Music Lessons w/ Jeff Brent
Teri D.
There aren’t enough stars to give Debbie the review she deserves! Her vast experience and enthusiasm for her craft are invaluable. Debbie is professional and compassionate and truly cares about my daughter and her journey into the world of acting. Lessons with Debbie have resulted in more confidence and a solid foundation to continue building upon.
McLeod Management & Debbie McLeod Productions
R. Y.
Birute is always positive, and her criticisms are constructive ones. I would recommend her teaching to any student.
Violin/Viola Studio
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