Bass Guitar Lessons in Pennsylvania

What bass guitar lessons cost across Pennsylvania, and how to find the right teacher.

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 18 min read

Bass guitar lesson prices across Pennsylvania
Meet teachers
How bass guitar learning works in Pennsylvania
Auditions and events in Pennsylvania
Starting at any age
Finding the right teacher
Bass guitar in Pennsylvania
Area by area
A little bass guitar history in Pennsylvania
Frequently Asked Questions

Bass guitar lesson prices across Pennsylvania

A one-hour bass guitar lesson in Pennsylvania typically costs $59 to $92, and a half hour $32 to $50. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Philadelphia area runs highest, up to $111 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a bass guitar lessons guide, with local schools, events and places to play, and a costs guide, with that town's prices in detail.

Find your town

Town	30 minutes	One hour	Guides
Philadelphia area
Philadelphia	$37–$61	$70–$111	Lessons Costs
Levittown	$36–$59	$67–$107	Lessons Costs
Norristown	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
Chester	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Drexel Hill	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
King of Prussia	$36–$58	$67–$106	Lessons Costs
Pottstown	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
West Chester	$36–$58	$66–$106	Lessons Costs
Phoenixville	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Lansdale	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Willow Grove	$36–$59	$68–$108	Lessons Costs
Ardmore	$37–$60	$69–$109	Lessons Costs
Montgomeryville	$36–$58	$66–$106	Lessons Costs
Coatesville	$35–$57	$65–$104	Lessons Costs
Yeadon	$37–$60	$68–$109	Lessons Costs
Lansdowne	$37–$60	$69–$110	Lessons Costs
Darby	$37–$61	$70–$111	Lessons Costs
Broomall	$36–$58	$67–$106	Lessons Costs
Roslyn	$37–$60	$69–$109	Lessons Costs
Pittsburgh area
Pittsburgh	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Bethel Park	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Monroeville	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Plum	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Allison Park	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
New Castle	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Baldwin	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Murrysville	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
West Mifflin	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
McKeesport	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Franklin Park	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Greensburg	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Wilkinsburg	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Carnot-Moon	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Washington	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Butler	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Jefferson Hills	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
New Kensington	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Lower Burrell	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Munhall	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Allentown area
Allentown	$35–$57	$66–$105	Lessons Costs
Bethlehem	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Easton	$35–$57	$65–$104	Lessons Costs
Fullerton	$35–$56	$65–$103	Lessons Costs
Emmaus	$35–$56	$65–$103	Lessons Costs
Northampton	$34–$56	$64–$103	Lessons Costs
Harrisburg area
Harrisburg	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Carlisle	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Colonial Park	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Hershey	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Progress	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Scranton area
Scranton	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Wilkes-Barre	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Hazleton	$32–$49	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Dunmore	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Kingston	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Mountain Top	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Nanticoke	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Lancaster area
Lancaster	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Ephrata	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Elizabethtown	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Reading area
Reading	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Wyomissing	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
York area
York	$33–$52	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Hanover	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Weigelstown	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Shiloh	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Chambersburg area
Chambersburg	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Waynesboro	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Hermitage area
Hermitage	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Sharon	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Other Pennsylvania towns
Altoona	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Bloomsburg	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Erie	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Indiana	$33–$52	$60–$95	Lessons Costs
Johnstown	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Lebanon	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Meadville	$32–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Pottsville	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
St. Marys	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
State College	$33–$51	$60–$93	Lessons Costs
Williamsport	$32–$47	$59–$87	Lessons Costs

Meet a Bass Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania Before You Continue Weekly

Meet a bass guitar teacher in a free first lesson, try live 1:1 instruction from home, and decide whether weekly lessons feel right for you or your child.

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
30, 45, and 60-minute weekly lesson options
Develop rhythm, groove, clean technique, songs, and bass confidence
Start with a free first 30-minute lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Find Your Next Bass Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania

Browse bass guitar teachers, compare availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Pennsylvania.

Instrument

Day & Time

Student Age

Student Skill Level

3 bass guitar instructors available in the next 5 days

Will Orchard

Top Rated 5.0

Bachelor’s in GuitarMulti-Genre SpecialistTheory ExpertiseStudent Favorite

Genres: Acoustic, Bass, Electric Guitar, Ukulele

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 6 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ / 30 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Will

Gabriel Maia

Top Rated 5.0

Master’s in GuitarTechnique ExpertVersatile RepertoireStudent Favorite

Genres: Acoustic, Bass, Electric Guitar, Ukulele

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English, Portuguese, Spanish🏆 Experience: 6 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ / 30 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Gabriel

Nick Prato

Bachelor’s in GuitarProgress FocusedMulti-Genre SpecialistWarm & Encouraging

Genres: Acoustic, Bass, Electric Guitar, Ukulele

Levels: Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced Ages: Kids, Teens, Adults

✅ Background Checked💬 Speaks: English🏆 Experience: 8 yrs of teaching💻 Lesson Format: Online in Pennsylvania via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

$0 ~~$35~~ / 30 minute trial

Book Free Trial with Nick

How bass guitar learning works in Pennsylvania

How does bass guitar fit school music in Pennsylvania?

Bass guitar is not a standard school band, orchestra, or choir part in Pennsylvania, so players usually build their skills through private study and seek school opportunities in jazz or modern band where offered. The state sets arts standards at the ends of grades 3, 5, 8, and 12, but local school boards decide graduation requirements. That means access depends on the district: Gettysburg Area School District begins band, choir, and orchestra in fourth grade, while Wissahickon School District offers orchestra in grades 3–5 and band and chorus in grades 4–5.

Who runs what for Pennsylvania bass players?

Pennsylvania has two different routes worth separating: Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) runs the school-based All-State Modern Band route for electric bass, while Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA) offers student festivals and competitions through participating teachers. PMTA's Keystone Concerto Festival requires teacher entry and current local and state dues, and its Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival is a separate performance opportunity. Knowing which organization serves your goal helps you choose between a school ensemble audition and a teacher-sponsored festival.

Who runs what in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)

Runs: Runs All-State Modern Band auditions, including electric bass.
For: School music students who meet eligibility rules.

Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA)

Runs: Runs the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival and Keystone Concerto Festival.
For: Students entered by participating teachers.

PA-Delaware String Teachers Association (PADESTA)

Runs: Represents string teachers, performers, faculty, and students.
For: String community members in Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Auditions and events in Pennsylvania

How does a bass player reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

Electric bass players seeking Pennsylvania's top school honor have a route through PMEA All-State Modern Band, which includes bass among its audition instruments. This is distinct from the traditional All-State ensembles, and the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association's performance categories do not include bass guitar, so a player seeking recognition should focus on Modern Band. PMEA District 7 also holds Modern Band festivals, offering a district-level performance opportunity before or alongside the state goal. Auditions for the 2027 group open November 9 and close at noon January 5; the All-State event takes place April 14–17, 2027. A school music director is the right first contact about entry.

The bass guitar route in Pennsylvania, step by step

School entryBefore the state event, ask your school music director how students enter the PMEA Modern Band route.
All-State Modern BandSelected students take part in the state event in April.

The Pennsylvania bass guitar year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band FestivalsPMEA District 7Start the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan to Apr

PMEA All-State EnsemblesPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan

Start the piece Oct to JanApr 14–17

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

For electric bass, preparation should center on the current All-State Modern Band audition materials, not PMEA's separate solo assessment forms, which do not include a bass-guitar-specific form. Work with a teacher on steady time, clean note changes, consistent tone, and playing with the kind of control an ensemble audition calls for. If the audition includes a prepared part, weekly lessons over three to six months give you time to learn it securely, then practice keeping it steady under pressure. Confirm the actual materials for that year's Modern Band audition with the school music director before settling a practice plan.

What else is there to enter?

The Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association's Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival gives students another performance goal, with its state festival usually held in November and no student fee. Works written with accompaniment require a live accompanist, so that collaboration belongs in preparation. The Keystone Concerto Festival is another teacher-entered opportunity, while young bass players who prefer ensemble performance can focus on jazz and modern band groups instead.

Bass guitar events in Pennsylvania, 2026–27

PMEA All-State Ensembles

Pennsylvania Music Educators Association

When: April 14–17, 2027; audition windows run November 2026–February 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Primarily grades 10–12; selection and eligibility depend on ensemble

PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band Festivals

PMEA District 7

When: January–April 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: School music students; eligibility and grades vary by festival

Homeschool and private school students

Private, parochial, charter, cyber, and cyber-charter students in PMEA District 7 can qualify for festivals only if they participate in their own school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and have sponsorship from the appropriate PMEA-member director. That makes a community ensemble an important route when a student's school does not provide the needed ensemble. Homeschool families should confirm eligibility and sponsorship with the district director before committing to an audition.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on bass guitar

Bass guitar can suit a child once the instrument feels manageable to hold and both hands can work together, often around age seven or eight. A private teacher gives a beginner a clear starting point in steady pulse, fretting, and simple bass lines, skills that help whether the child later joins a school jazz group or plays with friends. Starting before a school opportunity appears also gives time to build confidence without making school music the only reason to learn.

A teen in Pennsylvania

A teen bass player in Pennsylvania can aim for PMEA All-State Modern Band, the school-based honor route that includes electric bass. Its audition window opens in early November and closes in early January, so it helps to fit preparation around school music commitments well before winter break. Weekly lessons give a teen regular time to work toward that goal while keeping other playing manageable; eligibility depends on the school-based route, so start by talking with the school music director.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults in Pennsylvania can play bass with others through community jams and ensembles, including the Philadelphia Community Orchestra in Philadelphia, which welcomes musicians and sound makers without auditions. The Susquehanna Folk Music Society in Harrisburg holds monthly jams and song swaps for players of all ages and skill levels, and Meadowood's Tuesday bluegrass jam in Blandon welcomes bass. It is not too late to begin or return; a teacher can meet you at your current level and help you build the timing and note choices that make playing with others feel secure.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good bass guitar teacher do?

A strong bass teacher hears more than the right notes: they help a student keep a dependable pulse, make clean shifts, and listen across the rhythm section. For a teen aiming at PMEA All-State Modern Band, the teacher should be comfortable preparing electric bass for an audition, while a younger beginner may need a patient pace and short, clear goals. Fit matters because weekly work only holds when the student trusts the teacher's way of explaining. With Lesson With You, you can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend one; every teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in bass or guitar.

How do live online bass guitar lessons work?

A live Zoom lesson lets the teacher hear your timing and tone in real time and see both hands, so they can correct fretting, plucking, and posture as you play. Set the camera where the neck and picking hand stay visible, and use headphones or an amp at a comfortable level so the bass comes through clearly. In Philadelphia or Franklin Park, you get the same choice of teacher and the same one-on-one weekly lesson, without a commute or a limit to whoever is closest. One dedicated teacher learns how you work and keeps each week's practice connected to the next.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

A teacher with a degree in bass or guitarEvery Lesson With You bass guitar teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in bass or guitar.

GabrielMaster’s in Guitar

WillBachelor’s in Guitar

NickBachelor’s in Guitar

Meet the teachers below

The same teacher every weekLive, one-on-one lessons with one teacher who knows your goals.

Practice goals every weekEach lesson ends with what to practice before the next one.

Switch or pause anytimeSwitch teachers at no cost, or pause with 24 hours' notice. There's no term to sign up for.

Bass guitar in Pennsylvania

Where to hear bass guitar

Students can hear strong ensemble playing in several parts of Pennsylvania, including free student recitals at Curtis in Philadelphia and student-priced concerts from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Allentown's Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra admits students 21 and under free, while State College's Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra offers student tickets and a free family concert in March 2027. These are useful listening opportunities even when bass guitar is not the featured instrument, because they help you hear how the low line supports a full ensemble.

Where to play with others

For a young bass player, Pennsylvania's clearest ensemble route is youth jazz: the Philadelphia Youth Jazz Orchestra and its junior ensemble accept bass players ages 15–22 and 12–15, and Pittsburgh's PYCO Youth Jazz Ensemble serves bass players ages 12–18. In Greensburg, students in grades 6–8 can audition for Seton Hill University's Youth Honors Jazz Band. Adults and informal players have a different route through community groups and jams, such as the all-instrument Philadelphia Community Orchestra and folk jams in Harrisburg and Oxford.

Bass guitar around Pennsylvania, area by area

Philadelphia area

Philadelphia offers a useful listening option for bass players: K–12 and university students can reserve $9 tickets to Curtis Symphony Orchestra concerts during the 2026–27 season. Curtis also presents free student recitals open to all patrons, so you can hear developing musicians without needing a special invitation. These performances are a good way to listen closely to how low parts support larger ensembles.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 9, 40 lesson weeks (The School District of Philadelphia)
Town guides: Philadelphia, Wilmington, Camden, Levittown, Sicklerville, Norristown, Chester, Drexel Hill

Pittsburgh area

In Pittsburgh, students can use the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra's PSO Go program for up to two $15 tickets per eligible concert, with free registration and tickets released two weeks ahead. Wexford also has a free public camp concert scheduled for July 2, 2027. The orchestra gives a bass student a chance to hear a full symphonic sound and follow how the low register anchors the group.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 8, 40 lesson weeks (Pittsburgh Public Schools)
Town guides: Pittsburgh, Bethel Park, Monroeville, Plum, Allison Park, New Castle, Baldwin, Murrysville

Allentown area

Allentown's 2027 family concert by the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is open to the public, with free tickets for everyone under 21 through the box office. West Park's outdoor concert series offered weekly performances from May through September in 2026; that annual season gives families another chance to hear live music. Both settings let young players listen to an ensemble in performance.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 10, 40 lesson weeks (Allentown School District)
Town guides: Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Fullerton, Phillipsburg, Emmaus, Northampton

Harrisburg area

Harrisburg has two listening options that work well for students. High school and college students with valid ID can get last-minute Harrisburg Symphony Masterworks tickets for $10, and the orchestra also offers a free summer concert series. Hearing the same orchestra in both a formal program and a summer setting can help a bass player notice how the low line changes with the music.

School year: Aug 26 to Jun 4, 40 lesson weeks (Harrisburg City School District)
Town guides: Harrisburg, Carlisle, Colonial Park, Hershey, Progress

Scranton area

Wilkes-Barre's Sunsets on SOMA offers free concerts in Midtown Village from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of each month from May through September. In Scranton, University of Scranton student musicians perform a public general recital with free admission. The two settings give families a casual outdoor option and a chance to hear student performers.

Town guides: Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Dunmore, Kingston, Mountain Top, Nanticoke

Erie area

In Erie, students with a valid school ID can get $19 admission to Erie Philharmonic symphonic or pops concerts, subject to availability. The orchestra's free outdoor Summer Concert Series is a seasonal listening option, with concerts in Erie and across the region. Live performances help a bass player hear how low notes support both classical and popular programs.

Town guides: Erie

A little bass guitar history in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a concrete electric-bass connection in the Pittsburgh area: Beardly Customs, founded by luthier Rick Link in 2010, makes basses and guitars, and John Henry builds electric basses by hand in Millvale. These makers show that bass is part of the state's working instrument craft, not only its school jazz scene. For a student, that local connection makes the instrument's design and sound tangible, while the wider playing tradition remains rooted in the bands and ensembles where a bass player supports the group.

Start Bass Guitar Lessons at Lesson With You!

One teacher, one student, one personalized plan
30, 45, and 60-minute weekly lesson options
Develop rhythm, groove, clean technique, songs, and bass confidence
Start with a free first 30-minute lesson

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good bass guitar teacher in Pennsylvania?

Choose a teacher who can explain bass technique clearly and adapt to your goal, whether you are starting out, playing in a school jazz group, or preparing for an audition. With Lesson With You, you can choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one, and your first 30-minute lesson is free with no payment method needed.

Do live video bass guitar lessons really work?

Yes, a teacher can hear timing and tone in real time and watch both hands on the bass over Zoom. You avoid a commute and can work weekly with a dedicated teacher who fits your learning style, wherever you are in Pennsylvania.

How does a bass player reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

For electric bass, Pennsylvania's PMEA route is All-State Modern Band, which includes bass among its audition instruments. The audition window opens in early November and closes at noon in early January, so begin with your school music director and confirm eligibility.

Can homeschool students enter Pennsylvania music contests?

In PMEA District 7, homeschool students must take part in a school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and receive sponsorship from the appropriate PMEA-member director to qualify for festivals. Ask the director about eligibility before preparing an entry.

What age should a child start bass guitar lessons?

Many children are ready around age seven or eight, once they can hold the bass comfortably and coordinate both hands, but readiness matters more than age. A private teacher can build pulse and clean technique before school or youth ensemble opportunities begin.

Is it too late to learn bass guitar as an adult in Pennsylvania?

No, adults start or return to bass at every stage, and Pennsylvania has community ensembles and jams that welcome adult players. A teacher can meet you at your current level and help you build the timing and confidence to play with others.

How much are bass guitar lessons in Pennsylvania?

Bass guitar lessons in Pennsylvania typically cost about $69 an hour, or $32 to $50 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

Bass guitar lesson prices across Pennsylvania

Meet a Bass Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania Before You Continue Weekly

Find Your Next Bass Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania

Will Orchard

Gabriel Maia

Nick Prato

How bass guitar learning works in Pennsylvania

How does bass guitar fit school music in Pennsylvania?

Who runs what for Pennsylvania bass players?

Auditions and events in Pennsylvania

How does a bass player reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

What else is there to enter?

Homeschool and private school students

Starting at any age

Starting a child on bass guitar

A teen in Pennsylvania

Starting or coming back as an adult

Finding the right teacher

What should a good bass guitar teacher do?

How do live online bass guitar lessons work?

Bass guitar in Pennsylvania

Where to hear bass guitar

Where to play with others

Bass guitar around Pennsylvania, area by area

Philadelphia area

Pittsburgh area

Allentown area

Harrisburg area

Scranton area

Erie area

A little bass guitar history in Pennsylvania

Start Bass Guitar Lessons at Lesson With You!

More for Pennsylvania

Frequently Asked Questions