Find a music lesson in Portland, OR

Find music lessons in Portland, OR

Find music lessons in Portland, OR

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

Find music lessons in Portland, OR

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

Top 10 music classes in Portland, OR

Students agree: these Portland music lessons are highly rated for knowledge, experience, communication, and more.
Dillon Nadler Music Lessons

Dillon Nadler Music Lessons

5.0Exceptional(5)
Offers online services
10 hires on Lessons
14+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Lindsey S. says, "Dillon is so knowledgeable and patient. He's entertaining and makes our lessons fun!" Read more
Bass Lessons With Ross

Bass Lessons With Ross

5.0(1)
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
18+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
William T S. says, "He's a great teacher, keeps me focused & helps guide me on the path I am interested in going down. A+ !!" Read more
CJ Heart Music

CJ Heart Music

5.0Exceptional(5)
Offers online services
8 hires on Lessons
8+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Jacob W. says, "He’s cool " Read more
Piano Lessons

Piano Lessons

5.0Exceptional(5)
2 hires on Lessons
7+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Nancy M. says, "It is absolute pleasure that I write a letter of recommendation for Irina Kasatkina. Irina has been my children's piano and for the past 7 years. My 17 year old (presently) and my 13 year old girls loved her from the very beginning, connecting with her warmth and enthusiasm as well as her consistently positive approach. Irina is a patient teacher and treats each child with love for their individuality. Never-the-less, she has standards and expectations that she makes clear to them and they have learned the benefits of self discipline as it regards to music and other aspects of their lives. My children have progressed as both piano and harp players, gaining self- confidence and skill that will help them socially and for enjoyment, their entire lives. Irina's true vocation for music and teaching is obvious. I highly recommend Irinaas a music teacher for any adult or child who wishes to learn. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to recommend someone I truly believe in! Sincerely, Nancy Muggoch, NP, MS, ACHPN " Read more
Mercury Music

Mercury Music

5.0(3)
Offers online services
1 hire on Lessons
10+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Lisa says, "Shadow is amazingly patient and understanding with new musicians (and their parents). They set up clear boundaries and expectations which help everyone know what to do and how to proceed. We have been taking lessons for over 3 years, and both kids enjoy their time in lessons, and the progress they are making in violin. " Read more
Guitar Lessons With Dr. Zisa

Guitar Lessons With Dr. Zisa

5.0(4)
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
43+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Andrew P. says, "Dr Zisa has developed personalized strategy for me to improve my playing based on my strengths, weaknesses, and goals." Read more
Jason Dennis Guitar

Jason Dennis Guitar

5.0(1)
Offers online services
3 hires on Lessons
19+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
Ron O. says, "Amazing teacher. Inspiring and encouraging. Anything I want to learn, he can teach. Just in the short time of instruction, I have grown tremendously. Ron O." Read more
Adam King Piano

Adam King Piano

New on Lessons
Offers online services
4 hires on Lessons
11+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
I have been teaching private lessons for over a decade, and my love for bringing music into people's lives is a regular gift unto myself. As a professional musician, I have toured the country playing everything from rock to jazz to blues to hip-hop to classical to indie to electronica. I pride myself on a vast wealth of musical knowledge and the ability to create individualized lessons that allow my students to play the music they want to play. One of the greatest honors of my job is becoming a part of family's lives. Not only do i get to watch my students' knowledge and abilities increase, I get to see their lives grow and expand. I don't wo...
Johnandrew Slominski Piano Studio

Johnandrew Slominski Piano Studio

5.0(3)
Offers online services
3 hires on Lessons
17+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
G R. says, "As an adult student, I brought years of self-education, basic skills, ability to read music, and accumulated questions to Johnandrew Slominski, PhD. Over the past half year, Johnandrew addressed my technical issues and has presented effective strategies to improve. In addition to being a virtuoso pianist, Johnandrew has university level expertise in teaching music theory and piano performance. Johnandrew communicates effectively during virtual lessons and provides video clips that reinforce his teaching points. A motivated student with a background in the piano will be well-rewarded by studying with Johnandrew." Read more
DeAnna Howe Piano Lessons

DeAnna Howe Piano Lessons

New on Lessons
Offers online services
2 hires on Lessons
41+ years in business
Serves Portland, OR
I have a Doctoral Degree in piano performance. My students excel in competitive and non-competitive events. I teach students of all levels and ages. They make progress very quickly - and, they have fun! I am qualified to help you set up a great foundation from the very beginning, so you don't spend years fixing bad habits! Let me help you with a great foundation. I love seeing my students excel! They are excited about the practice suggestions they learn with me, and I see a lot of progress because of these suggestions. This is very rewarding. After just a few short months, my students play confidently, with dynamics, articulation, and...

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 Portland music classes

Recent success stories from people in the Portland area.
Sean G.
He helped guide me to my abilities, didn’t push things I had issues with, worked with me to work at my pace and comfort levels. Showed me ways to strengthen the things I could do and use them as building blocks to other areas
Dillon Nadler Music Lessons
Reuben G.
Chris is a great Teacher and very accommodating
CJ Heart Music
Paul P.
Irina Kasatkina has been teaching piano to my 11-year old son for two years. He has developed both an ability to play and an enjoyment of music because of Irina's thoughtful guidance. Her love of music and teaching is quite evident, whether she's teaching how to play, how to read music, or other music fundamentals. I am impressed with her kind and clear manner that encourages my son to explore the music. She incorporates his interests into the lessons, including helping him write his own compositions at age 10! She has won my son's heart and imagination, and he has this to say about Irina: "She helps me change what I"m doing wrong, she picks out the right books and songs for me, and she does it all very nicely." Perhaps the best recommendation is that he enjoys coming back every week for his lesson, and wants to practice so that he can improve every week! I would be happy to talk to parents about Irina's abilities as a piano teacher. Paul R. Peterzell
piano lessons
Merriah F.
Grace does a great job teaching students "where they are at" and mixing up the lesson to keep it fun and engaging. Highly recommend.
Mercury Music
Nicholas S.
A true modern Master and as much a Virtuoso as a Teacher...
Guitar Lessons with Dr. Zisa
Ruth H.
I have learned so much from Johnandrew. He is a teacher whose rich expertise and insight is shared in every lesson. You cannot go wrong in connecting with him to open up new vistas of musical skill, knowledge and inspiration. Definitely don't feel I'm in a cookie cutter lesson experience. It is always unique and fascinating. And I'm actually playing pieces I have yearned to play for years. It has been and continues to be extremely valuable to me as a musician. While there are many teachers out there, my comment would be If you are looking for someone who can take you far and bring vibrancy to your music journey, look no further than here. It's the place to be!
Johnandrew Slominski Piano Studio
Stephanie W.
Eric is kind, thoughtful, attentive and cares to teach me music I'm interested in. He is also patient and meets me at my speed, which is slow as a very beginner.
Eric Phillips Music
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