What is the average guitar lesson price?

Everyone asks this question before taking up guitar. And with so many learning sources out there, it’s sometimes hard to find an answer.

Hiring a guitar coach, for example, differs a lot from taking online guitar lessons. 

So what should you expect from guitar lessons prices?

How Much Are Guitar Lessons?

The cost of guitar lessons varies.

There are many factors to consider, including:

• Type of lessons (online or in-person)
• Teacher’s experience
• Lesson duration

So, how much you’re going to spend on your guitar classes depends primarily on your goals. 

If you’re taking your guitar learning seriously, you should certainly find an experienced instructor who will help you achieve your goals.

In that case, you should also get a high-quality guitar, which adds another expense to your overall guitar learning cost.

On the other hand, if you want to learn how to play guitar just for fun, or you want to find something more affordable, you can opt for online guitar lessons. You can choose from guitar learning apps, programs, freelance guitar teachers… 

There are so many options for learning these days, and that’s why prices for guitar lessons vary a lot. 

But all things considered, what is the average price of guitar lessons?

Average Guitar Lesson Cost 

Generally, guitar lessons cost between $40-$100 per hour. 

Teachers who teach online (via Skype or Zoom) usually charge between $25-50 for a half-hour lesson, while private guitar lessons range from $35-50 for a half-hour lesson. In-person group lessons can cost $25 for a half-hour lesson.

Now, freelance teachers who are just starting out will probably have a very affordable guitar lesson price (even as little as $30 an hour), while professional guitarists with a lot of experience sometimes charge more than $200.

So, it all depends on what you’re looking for. 

But generally speaking, the average guitar lesson price is $70. 

What Determines the Price of Guitar Lessons? 

Before jumping to the conclusion of what the cost of your guitar learning is going to be, let us clarify what affects the guitar lesson price.

Length of the lesson

Of course, it all depends on the guitar lesson duration. So make sure you check with the teacher the exact one-hour price before making a decision.

Also, the monthly price of your guitar lessons will also depend on how many times a week you meet with your teacher. Most beginners have lessons two times a week, but it all comes down to your wishes and goals.

Teacher’s experience 

When choosing your guitar teacher, you need to take their experience into account. Needless to say, experienced and educated teachers charge more than teachers who have less than 5 years of teaching experience. 

On the other hand, just because someone is new to teaching doesn’t mean they are not good at it. On the contrary – young teachers sometimes use innovative teaching methods and are willing to explore different styles and genres. 

Location

The price of your guitar lesson will also depend on where you’re located. 

Guitar lessons in small towns tend to have smaller prices. However, options in smaller or rural areas are limited.

Furthermore, the physical location also affects the price. If you have private guitar lessons at your home you’ll save some travel costs but at the same time, the price per hour will rise because of your teacher’s travel expenses.

If you meet with your teacher via Zoom or Skype, the price will be cheaper. And many teachers now offer online guitar lessons.

Finally, virtual pre-recorded guitar lessons and guitar learning apps are by far the cheapest option. So if you want to learn how to play guitar by yourself, you’ll probably save a lot of money. 

Online guitar learning programs and apps are very affordable, but they also have their flaws. We’ll come back to this in a bit. 

Lesson type

As we just mentioned, online programs differ a lot from in-person lessons. And that’s why the price also differs.

Most online learning programs and apps offer monthly memberships. They can be very affordable, and they often come with numerous benefits such as extensive song libraries, online learning tools, members’ area access, and so on. 

Some online programs even offer live lessons and lessons taught by famous musicians. So besides your regular online lessons, you’ll have a chance to attend live lessons from time to time. 

However, many people claim that nothing beats in-person lessons. And that’s true to some extent.

Your skill level 

Another factor you need to consider is your level of experience.

If you’re a beginner, you won’t have any problems finding a good teacher or a reliable learning source. 

But if you already have some experience or you’re about to reach more advanced levels, you’ll have to find an instructor who can offer you what you need. And knowledgeable teachers with a lot of experience tend to have higher prices. 

By the way, if you’ve played guitar before or you’re ready to tackle more complex stuff, you will probably have to opt for in-person lessons or private online lessons.

The thing is, online programs sometimes lack advanced content, and you won’t be able to find lessons suitable for your level. 

So from that perspective, the higher level you are, the pricier your lessons could get. 

Online vs In-Person Lessons 

In-person guitar lessons have a reputation for being pricey. But if you take into account what you’re getting for that price, they’re not expensive at all. 

One of the biggest advantages of traditional guitar lessons is the teacher’s guidance and personalized approach. 

As a beginner, it’s important to have clear guidance. But the thing that’s even more important is quality feedback. If you have a teacher by your side, they will be able to point out your weak spots and help you improve them. 

And that’s one of the reasons traditional in-person lessons are more expensive than some other options. You’re paying for the teacher’s time, guidance, and expertise. 

Every student has their own learning habits, and receiving personalized feedback and approach is extremely valuable.

However, online guitar programs can also meet individual needs. For instance, some programs are ideal for people who prefer choosing their own material, and others are made for people who want clear guidance and structured learning.

Online guitar platforms and apps tend to be very flexible, and they usually provide their users with the freedom to choose their own learning path. On the other hand, they sometimes lack quality feedback and personal touch, and that’s why they tend to be quite affordable.

Another potential drawback of online programs is a lack of advanced content. Most apps and programs are made for beginners, so if you want to reach advanced levels, you’ll have to check how in-depth the curriculum actually is. 

At the end of the day, you need to choose a learning source that fits your needs, goals, and learning style. And once you determine what you want, you’ll be able to determine the price of your guitar lessons more accurately.

If you’re still not sure what type of learning source is right for you, let’s quickly summarize the most important pros and cons of online and in-person guitar lessons.

In-Person Lessons 

Pros:

• Quality feedback
• Clear guidance
• Professional teaching methods 

Cons:

• Can be pricey
• Lack of flexibility

Guitar Learning Apps 

Pros:

• Affordable
• Fun and engaging 
• You can choose your learning material
• Extensive song libraries 

Cons:

• Lack of quality feedback
• Lack of advanced lessons

Online Guitar Lessons

Pros:

• Affordable
• Convenient (learning from home) 
• Flexible 

Cons:

• Lack of quality feedback

Combining Methods 

Alternatively, you can combine different methods. For example, you can meet with a guitar coach once a month, and practice with a guitar app or an online program in the meantime. 

That way, you’ll save some money because you won’t meet with a teacher twice a week, but you’ll still maintain a regular practice. 

There are many options for guitar learning nowadays, so why not take advantage of all the possibilities? This will also make your learning process more exciting and versatile.

After all, guitar lessons should be enjoyable and motivating. That way, you won’t regret a single penny invested in them. 

How to Find Cheap Guitar Lessons 

There are also ways to learn guitar if you’re on a budget.

If you decide to learn guitar without using traditional methods, there are many great platforms that offer affordable memberships. 

Some websites even offer free guitar lessons for beginners. 

And some platforms offer free trials or free extra content (YouTube tutorials, downloadable sheet music, online learning tools, etc.)

Freelancing learning websites can also be a good option. There are many qualified freelance guitar teachers offering affordable lessons online. 

All in all, it’s possible to learn how to play guitar without spending too much money. 

How Much Are Guitar Lessons – Final Thoughts 

As you can see, the price of guitar lessons can vary a lot. 

The average guitar lesson cost is $70, but there are many things that can impact the price, including the type of lesson and the teacher’s experience.

But regardless of what type of guitar lessons you choose, we’re sure it will be worth it!