How to Find an
Exceptional Guitar Teacher
Find the guitar teacher who can take your playing to new heights
Rose Park
updated 9/4/25 • 4 min read
Finding the right guitar teacher online or in-person can feel a little overwhelming. Some teachers focus on technique, others on songs, and it’s not always clear who will really help you improve.
So how do you decide which guitar teacher is right for you? What makes one instructor better at teaching guitar basics, technique, and musical expression? And how do you find someone whose style fits your goals? Here’s your guide to picking the guitar teacher who helps your playing shine.
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Start with a pro guitar teacher
A common mistake is starting with a cheaper, less experienced teacher and planning to switch later. The problem is that bad habits with posture, strumming, or finger placement can sneak in early and take months — even years — to fix. That’s why we suggest starting with a more experienced guitar instructor from the beginning.
Once you’ve found a teacher, it’s also important to remember that every guitar instructor has their own style. Some focus mainly on technique and work through one song at a time, while others encourage you to try multiple pieces or exercises and explore your musical expression along the way.
Why your guitar teacher’s background matters
Degrees in Guitar Performance
When choosing a guitar teacher, look into their music training and education. Many of the best instructors hold at least a Bachelor’s degree in classical or jazz guitar from a music school, and they can usually show their skills through recordings, live gigs, or touring experience.
Here are a few questions to ask about their degree background:
For Parents: If you’re looking for a guitar teacher for your child, consider someone who studied music education with a focus in guitar. These teachers are great at introducing basics like reading music, understanding rhythm, and developing a solid foundation.
As your child grows, often within a year or two, it may be time to move to an instructor with a performance degree who can guide them into more advanced skills. Many young students also start on ukulele before moving to guitar, which can be a fun first step.
Recording and Touring Experience
When you’re looking for a guitar teacher, it’s a good idea to check if they have performance experience outside the lesson room. This might include playing live shows, touring with musicians in the US or abroad, or working on studio recordings and productions.
Start by visiting the teacher’s website or profile and reading their bio. If they’ve shared recordings of live performances, take a few minutes to watch — it gives you a real sense of their playing style and stage presence.
An ideal guitar teacher will usually highlight their touring experience or studio work with bands and other artists. These accomplishments show that they’re active musicians who can bring real-world experience into their lessons.
Teaching Experience and Guitar Styles
When choosing a guitar teacher, look for someone with at least three years of teaching experience. Instructors with that background usually know how to explain tricky ideas clearly and keep students motivated at any age or level.
Great guitar instructors are often comfortable teaching a range of styles, from classical and rock to pop, jazz, alternative, and R&B. This gives you the chance to explore music you actually enjoy.
Also check which type of guitar they specialize in. The four main ones are acoustic, classical, electric, and bass. Knowing their focus makes it easier to see if their strengths match your goals.
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7 questions to ask a guitar teacher when you first connect
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, the next step is to actually talk with the guitar teachers. A good conversation can reveal a lot about their teaching style, approach, and whether they’ll be the right fit for your goals. Here are some guitar-specific questions worth asking:
- How many guitar students do you currently teach, and what ages and levels do you work with most often?
- How do you structure a lesson plan? Is it customized to the student’s goals — like fingerstyle, lead guitar, or songwriting?
- Do you encourage students to perform, whether that’s in recitals, bands, or competitions?
- What are your practice expectations for beginners versus advanced players? How much time do you suggest each day?
- Do you use guitar method books (like Hal Leonard, Mel Bay, or Alfred), or do you focus on learning songs, theory, and technique directly?
- How do you motivate students to keep practicing when progress feels slow?
- Do you give weekly assignments, daily practice routines, or a mix of both?
Try a lesson first before you commit
When reaching out to guitar teachers, ask if they offer a trial lesson. A trial is the best way to see how they teach and whether their style fits your goals. Here are a few things to pay attention to during that first session:
- Does the teacher explain clearly and ask questions that make you think about your playing? How do they respond to your answers?
- How do they guide the lesson — is it engaging and enjoyable? Do they pick up the guitar often to demonstrate chords, scales, or riffs?
- What’s their personality like? Friendly and encouraging, quiet and focused, or a little too intense? Do you feel comfortable with them?
- How often do they give feedback, and is it specific? Do they correct details like finger placement, strumming, or tone?
- How do they wrap up the lesson? Do they give clear assignments or practice goals so you know exactly what to work on next?
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Choosing the right guitar teacher after a trial lesson
Guitar Lesson Costs
From our recent guitar lesson cost guide, the average price is about $40 for a half hour lesson. Live online lessons through video calls usually range from $25 to $50 for a half hour. In-person private lessons are closer to $50 for a half hour, while group lessons in person often average around $25 for a half hour.
Experience and training also affect the price. Some instructors without formal music degrees may charge around $35 an hour, while highly trained teachers with advanced degrees often charge between $50 and $70 an hour.
Before you commit, think about your budget and how often you want to take lessons. Many players see the best results with weekly lessons over at least six months, since consistent practice and feedback make the biggest difference in progress.
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Lesson Reviews
You should always check and read the lesson reviews. If you’re particularly looking for a live online lesson, you will notice the reviews left in the teacher profile. If 8 or 9 out of 10 reviews are positive, that means the teacher is skilled and able to teach a high-quality guitar lesson.
If you want to get in-person guitar lesson recommendations, you can ask friends, neighbors or even find a guitar teacher online and ask if they offer lessons in person.
Also, double-check if the teacher specializes in guitar only or teaches multiple instruments. Those who focus on just one instrument tend to be more professional and have specialized expertise in that area.
Contracts
Not many guitar lesson providers require long term commitment or contracts these days, but you’d still want to make sure if there’s a contract required before setting up the first lesson. It’s also recommended for students to check the type of payment the teacher prefers and when to send the payment.
Need help with finding the right guitar instructor?
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Rose Park
Rose Park is a graduate of the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University where she studied Piano Performance and Arts Administration, receiving both Bachelor's and Master's degrees before co-founding Lesson With You. As a pianist, Rose was a prizewinner in many international piano competitions and performed at various summer programs and festivals across the United States, Italy, and Japan.