Find a music lesson in Chicago, IL

Find music lessons in Chicago, IL

Find music lessons in Chicago, IL

Confirm your location to see the best music classes near you.
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Find music lessons in Chicago, IL

Confirm your location to see the best music classes near you.
Zip code

Top 10 music classes in Chicago, IL

Students agree: these Chicago music lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.

Drum Impact

5.0Exceptional(6)
3 hires on Lessons.com
28+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL
Alex S. says, "Eric is a easy going guy that can adapt to any skill level you have. He knows how to teach the fundamentals of drumming and weave in your own personal direction for how you want to sound. I have learned a lot from him and will continue to come back so I can get better!" Read more

The Chicago Ensemble

5.0(3)
Serves Chicago, IL
Vicki C. says, "I started piano lessons with Gerald 3 years ago and just passed AIM piano exam Level 11 in both theory and performance. Gerald is a great teacher, kind (sometimes too kind), patient, dedicate and has passion in teaching music with 50 years experience. I feel I'm luck to be his student." Read more

Learn Guitar Chicago

New on Lessons.com
3 hires on Lessons.com
25+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL & Online
Longevity. I've been teaching guitar full-time for 20 years. Most of my students stay with me for 4-5 years. Some I've been working with for 15 years. I'm lucky that I get to teach guitar for a living. Many of my students have become close friends over the years.

Crystal's Flute Studio

New on Lessons.com
2 hires on Lessons.com
6+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL & Online
Teaching and playing the flute are my speciality! I love helping students acheive their individual goals. Seeing students get excited about learning the flute makes me so happy because I know how rewarding playing music can be.

Russakoff Music Studio

5.0Exceptional(13)
Top Pro
13 hires on Lessons.com
42+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL & Online
Joyce Q. says, "Cynthia has been a great help to my child over the past few lessons. Even in a short time, she provided clear guidance and helped prepare for a band competition. We appreciate her support and encouragement." Read more

Joseph Glymph

5.0Exceptional(18)
2 hires on Lessons.com
56+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL
Dan W. says, "Joe is literally the best technical violin teacher. If you want to learn violin at a high technical level, Joe is your go to. He also teaches conducting. I am able to play some of the most tech iCarly challenging violin pieces proficiently because of Joe. Do not underestimate his prowess as a teacher and performer. If you need to become technically proficient for violin/viola/cello auditions, go to Joe." Read more

Kabir Dalawari Drum Lessons

5.0Exceptional(5)
5 hires on Lessons.com
9+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL & Online
Emmanuel E. says, "I like how he is very good at explaining complicated things. He also motivates his student to work hard. When his student makes a mistakes, he encourages them that they can do. He is also flexible and willing to work with you and help you out. If your looking for a drum teacher he's the guy to go." Read more

DISKOTEKA (Sian & Eulalia)

New on Lessons.com
6+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL & Online
Welcome to DISKOTEKA, where we transform your musical journey into an unforgettable experience. Based in the vibrant city of Chicago, our expert team of two delivers top-tier DJing services alongside personalized music theory and audio production lessons. Whether you're looking to elevate your event with dynamic DJ performances or seeking to deepen your understanding of music production, DISKOTEKA offers tailored solutions to meet your needs. Join us and discover the rhythm of excellence that sets us apart.

Paul's Guitar And Bass Guitar Lessons

5.0(2)
4 hires on Lessons.com
26+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL
John M. says, "I've been learning guitar through Paul for a few weeks now, and honestly he has me hooked on playing! He's very realistic with you and gives you an actual practice plan for you to do when you're home. Your progress will definitely improve as long as you practice outside of the classes! He's very passionate about what he does and will always put your goals in mind when he's making curriculum for you! As someone who was very nervous about getting a teacher, Paul is super friendly and honestly deserves his own business one day. I'll be going to Paul for years to come I hope!" Read more

Richard Sladek- Lessons- ChicagoPianist.com

New on Lessons.com
10 hires on Lessons.com
39+ years in business
Serves Chicago, IL
I am presently accepting beginning, intermediate and advanced students who have mastered the basics, but are ready to take their playing to a higher level. My teaching emphasis is on technique and playing music expressively. I also offer coaching to improve sight-reading and memorization skills. Lessons are generally once a week in 1/2 hour or 1 hour blocks. If you prefer, lessons may be given more than once per week. Studio locations in Forest Park, Downers Grove, and Wheaton. *Prospective students under the age of 18 should have their parent or guardian contact Richard Sladek on their behalf. It’s an inspiration to encourage students to gr...

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 Chicago music classes

Recent success stories from people in the Chicago area.
Carl S.
Eric provided high quality of instruction tailored to my goals playing drums. My ability to play with others, and my enjoyment playing the drums in general, improved significantly with my instruction from Drum Impact. Highly recommended.
Drum impact
Julian H.
I have known Gerald Rizzer for many years. He has a very easy going approach to teaching but on the other hand is extremely good at helping the student improve his or her performances and musical capabilities. He is especially interested in the structure of the pieces the student is working on and can improve interpretations by focusing on that structure. He is the leader of the well known Chicago Ensemble and his abilities as a professional performing musician are beyond reproach. I highly recommend him.
The Chicago Ensemble
Suzanne H.
Cynthia is very passionate about music and eager to share her knowledge. I did not start taking piano lessons until I was an adult and Cynthia has been patient while making it challenging for me.
Russakoff Music Studio
John L.
Mr. Glymph was my violin instructor and orchestra director between 2007 and 2013. The importance he has played on my life transcends into existential territory as it was his teachings that allowed me to achieve my dreams in life on top of rapidly improving in violin performance. His "smart practice" method that relies on deliberate and methodical micro improvements, bound together with repetition and consistency is essentially a guidebook to becoming a professional in any field and separating yourself from the masses. I had taken violin lessons for roughly ten years when I met Mr. Glymph as a teenager, and the amount of improvement I made in the first two years with him was probably one hundred-fold without exaggeration. His teaching style is not for everyone, but the sky is the limit if you are serious about music and want to genuinely improve. I eventually made a personal decision to not major in music, and Mr. Glymph was supportive as any mentor should be. I do believe that had I continued to pursue music using his methods I would have had a good career as well. Mr. Glymph is both an incredible violin teacher and a genuine mentor. He is strict but also understanding. Asking him if he could teach me at the Suzuki summer program in 2006-7 was easily one of the best decisions I've made in my life, and when I write a reflection or something in the coming years, his legacy will live on in that piece. John L.
Joseph Glymph
Elise M.
Kabir id an amazing instructor. He works with our son who is a high school freshman. Our son took lessons in person with Kabir pre-Covid, and has been doing online lessons since. We couldn’t be happier. Gabe is making process and is motivated to practice every day.
Kabir Dalawari Drum Lessons
Carolyne L.
Paul is just the best. I immediately felt comfortable asking him all of my questions not just because he's absurdly knowledgeable but he's also so kind and is never judgmental about where you are in the learning process. Just be a better student than me and practice!
Paul's Guitar and Bass Guitar Lessons
Christina L.
"As a working professional adult woman at a point in my life when I decided to shift some focus more to my own interests and self-development, I decided to begin studying violin later in life - something I've wanted to do for a very long time.  Having no previous musical experience at all, Amy Foley was encouraging and supportive from the start -- teaching me important basic fundamentals such as instrument care, balance, movement, positioning, intonation, and how to read sheet music.  Amy has a wonderfully deep understanding of music theory and is clear and thorough in her explanations.  Her patient and positive demeanor made me feel good about the progress I was making; and when I seemed stuck at any point, she came up with creative and applicable suggestions and exercises to help me over any hurdles.  Studying violin has given me a greater appreciation for music as well -- I find myself listening to music differently, and the experience is now enhanced because I find myself noticing things which I learned during my lessons, e.g., how compositions come together to make the whole. And I've learned to hear more of the emotion in music because of what I've learned during my lessons; and Amy, with her talent and quiet sense of humor, has made the experience an absolute joy!"
Violin and Alexander Technique Lessons
Yodael G.
Very Hands On learning if you know what you need to work on ( you have a sense of a direction) you will greatly improve... after my 1st session my Skills increased immensly because the session was so helpful and I could ask questions when I needed to
VOLCANOBEATS LLC
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