Guitar Lessons in Michigan

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

Marc Levesque updated 11/13/26 - 19 min read

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

Guitar lesson prices across Michigan

A one-hour guitar lesson in Michigan typically costs $61 to $96, and a half hour $33 to $53. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Detroit area runs highest, up to $102 an hour.

Every town has two guides: a 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
Detroit area
Detroit	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
South Lyon	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Warren	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Sterling Heights	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Dearborn	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Livonia	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Troy	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Westland	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Farmington Hills	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Port Huron	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Rochester Hills	$33–$53	$61–$98	Lessons Costs
Southfield	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Novi	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Pontiac	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Taylor	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Dearborn Heights	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
St. Clair Shores	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Royal Oak	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Roseville	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Lincoln Park	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Eastpointe	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Southgate	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Oak Park	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Madison Heights	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Allen Park	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Hamtramck	$34–$56	$64–$102	Lessons Costs
Garden City	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Inkster	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Auburn Hills	$33–$53	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Romulus	$33–$51	$60–$94	Lessons Costs
Wyandotte	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Birmingham	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Ferndale	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Trenton	$33–$53	$61–$96	Lessons Costs
Wayne	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Wixom	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
Grosse Pointe Woods	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Mount Clemens	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Berkley	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Harper Woods	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Hazel Park	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Fraser	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Rochester	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Woodhaven	$33–$52	$60–$96	Lessons Costs
Melvindale	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Riverview	$33–$53	$61–$97	Lessons Costs
New Baltimore	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Farmington	$33–$54	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Clawson	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Grosse Pointe Park	$33–$54	$62–$99	Lessons Costs
Beverly Hills	$33–$54	$62–$98	Lessons Costs
Grand Rapids area
Grand Rapids	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Holland	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Wyoming	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Kentwood	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Forest Hills	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Allendale	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Walker	$31–$44	$57–$80	Lessons Costs
Cutlerville	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Jenison	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Grandville	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Northview	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Ionia	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
East Grand Rapids	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Grand Haven	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Comstock Park	$32–$46	$58–$84	Lessons Costs
Lansing area
Lansing	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
East Lansing	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Okemos	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Holt	$32–$47	$59–$86	Lessons Costs
Waverly	$32–$49	$59–$90	Lessons Costs
Haslett	$32–$48	$59–$87	Lessons Costs
Ann Arbor area
Ann Arbor	$34–$55	$63–$100	Lessons Costs
Ypsilanti	$34–$55	$63–$101	Lessons Costs
Flint area
Flint	$32–$47	$59–$86	Lessons Costs
Burton	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Fenton	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Kalamazoo area
Kalamazoo	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Portage	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Muskegon area
Muskegon	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Norton Shores	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Other Michigan towns
Adrian	$32–$50	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Battle Creek	$31–$44	$58–$81	Lessons Costs
Bay City	$32–$45	$58–$82	Lessons Costs
Cadillac	$32–$47	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Coldwater	$32–$49	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Escanaba	$32–$48	$59–$89	Lessons Costs
Jackson	$32–$46	$58–$85	Lessons Costs
Marquette	$32–$49	$59–$91	Lessons Costs
Midland	$31–$43	$57–$79	Lessons Costs
Monroe	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs
Mount Pleasant	$32–$45	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Niles	$31–$44	$58–$80	Lessons Costs
Owosso	$32–$50	$59–$92	Lessons Costs
Saginaw	$31–$44	$57–$80	Lessons Costs
Sault Ste. Marie	$32–$48	$59–$88	Lessons Costs
Sturgis	$32–$46	$58–$83	Lessons Costs
Traverse City	$32–$47	$58–$86	Lessons Costs

Meet a Guitar Teacher in Michigan Before You Continue Weekly

The first meeting gives you or your child a chance to meet the teacher and see whether the teaching style feels like the right match before weekly lessons begin.

Meet the teacher before weekly billing begins
Hear real-time feedback on the guitar you practice with
Talk through songs, style, and setup questions
Pick a weekly length after the first meeting

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Find Your Next Guitar Teacher in Michigan

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

Instrument

Day & Time

Student Age

Student Skill Level

5 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 Michigan 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 Michigan via Zoom

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

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

Book Free Trial with Gabriel

Jacob Billings

Top Rated 5.0

Bachelor’s in GuitarPatient & ThoroughVersatile RepertoirePopular

Genres: Acoustic, Classical, Electric Guitar

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

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

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

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

Book Free Trial with Jacob

Jess Kerber

Top Rated 5.0

Bachelor’s in SingingFun & UpbeatWarm & EncouragingPopular

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

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

Available:SMTWTFSMorningAfternoonEvening

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

Book Free Trial with Jess

How guitar learning works in Michigan

How does guitar fit school music in Michigan?

Michigan schools do not have a single guitar pathway; guitarists generally study through general music and pursue guitar privately, while school instrumental groups use their own arrangements and instruments. Troy School District begins instrumental study through band or orchestra in fifth grade, Jenison Public Schools starts orchestra in fifth grade and band in sixth, and Birmingham Public Schools offers instrumental music beginning in fifth grade. Those are local examples, not a statewide start date. Michigan public-school students must earn one visual, performing, or applied arts credit to graduate, and music is one way to meet it.

Who runs what for Michigan guitarists?

Michigan has several student music organizations, but they serve different purposes. The Michigan Music Teachers Association (Michigan MTA) offers assessments, festivals, and competitions, while the Michigan Music Association (MMA) runs a Kalamazoo competition with pop and classical guitar divisions for eligible students. Knowing which group fits your goal matters: a school-based route depends on membership, while MMA entry goes through a member teacher.

Who runs what in Michigan

Michigan Music Teachers Association (Michigan MTA)

Runs: Runs student assessments, festivals, and competitions.
For: Students studying with participating teachers.

Michigan Music Association (MMA)

Runs: Runs a statewide student competition with pop and classical guitar divisions.
For: Students ages 4–18 with an MMA-member teacher.

Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association (MSBOA)

Runs: Runs school Solo & Ensemble festivals and auditioned All-State ensembles.
For: Students from member schools.

Auditions and events in Michigan

How does a guitarist reach Michigan's top student honors?

For guitarists seeking Michigan student honors, the clearest route is the Michigan Music Association competition, which offers pop and classical divisions. Students ages 4–18 may enter through a teacher who is an association member in good standing; 18-year-olds must be enrolled in high school. The Michigan Music Teachers Association also holds state performance semifinals and finals in May. School band and orchestra All-State ensembles do not include guitar, so these individual performance opportunities are the more direct path for a student guitarist.

The guitar route in Michigan, step by step

MMA guitar competitionPop and classical guitar divisions meet in Kalamazoo in late February.
Michigan MTA state performanceSemifinals take place in mid-May, followed by finals in late May.

The Michigan guitar year

AugSepOctNovDecJanFebMarAprMayJunJul

MSBOA Solo & Ensemble FestivalMichigan School Band and Orchestra AssociationStart the piece Jul to Oct

Start the piece Jul to OctJan

MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble FestivalMichigan School Band and Orchestra AssociationStart the piece Sep to Dec

Start the piece Sep to DecMar

Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent

What do auditions ask you to prepare?

For the Michigan Music Association (MMA) guitar competition, choose either a pop or classical division. Pop accepts non-classical repertoire from the Modern period and allows tablature, lead sheets, effects, and accompaniment; classical focuses on classical repertoire and suggests a nylon-string guitar played in classical style. Solos must be memorized, and pop players bring a separate original music copy for the judge. The maximum solo time is five minutes for ages 9–12, ten minutes for ages 12–16, and fifteen minutes for ages 17–18, with no minimum. Number every measure to avoid a deduction. A focused weekly lesson plan usually needs three to six months for an event piece.

What else is there to enter?

For a guitarist who wants a goal without making every performance a contest, Michigan Music Teachers Association (Michigan MTA) student achievement assessments and festivals offer a structured alternative. Its state performance semifinals and finals take place in May. The Michigan Music Association competition is another option for young players who want a judged performance in pop or classical guitar, with entry through a member teacher. These opportunities let a student choose a level of challenge that suits their experience and aims.

Guitar events in Michigan, 2026–27

MSBOA State Solo & Ensemble Festival

Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association

When: March 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: High school students who qualify with a Superior rating at district festival

MMTA Annual Concerto Competition

Michigan Music Teachers Association

When: Usually spring; 2026–27 date not published
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Students through Grade 12 studying with an MMTA-member teacher

MSBOA Solo & Ensemble Festival

Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association

When: Late January through mid-February 2027
Entry: Ask the organizer
Who: Students from MSBOA member schools; district participation is for middle and high school students

Homeschool and private school students

Private-school students can take part in school-based music events when their school is a member and they meet participation requirements; Michigan serves public, parochial, and private schools. Homeschool students without that member-school connection can pursue the Michigan Music Association competition instead, if they meet its age rules and study with a member teacher who enters them. That gives a guitarist a performance route that does not depend on attending a member school.

Starting at any age

Starting a child on guitar

Guitar often suits a child who can comfortably hold the instrument and manage its strings, commonly around elementary-school age. That is early enough to build steady rhythm and chord changes before school instrumental programs begin: Troy and Birmingham start instrumental study in fifth grade, while Jenison begins orchestra then and band in sixth. A private teacher gives your child individual help with hand position, reading or tablature, and songs they enjoy, which keeps guitar progress moving even when the school ensemble uses other instruments.

A teen in Michigan

A teen can start guitar without waiting for a school ensemble, since Michigan's school band and orchestra pathways are built around their own instruments. For students pursuing a state competition, the Michigan Music Association holds its guitar divisions in Kalamazoo in late February, and eligible students enter through a member teacher; the Michigan MTA state performance finals are in late May. Weekly lessons fit around school rehearsals by keeping repertoire and technique moving at a manageable pace, so a teen can choose a competition goal or simply develop as a player.

Starting or coming back as an adult

Adults can learn guitar at any age, but school and concert groups are not automatically a fit for the instrument. Acoustic gatherings such as Lake Diane Music Jam in Camden and the Wheatland Jamboree in Remus give guitarists a place to play with others. A dedicated teacher meets you where you are, whether you are learning your first chords or returning after years away, and helps you build the skills to take part with confidence.

Finding the right teacher

What should a good guitar teacher do?

A strong guitar teacher gives technique and music-making equal attention, adjusting the balance for a child's age, an experienced teen's competition goal, or an adult returning to the instrument. For Michigan students considering the Michigan Music Association competition, the teacher should be comfortable preparing both pop and classical guitar repertoire and helping a student memorize a solo. Fit matters as much as training: a patient teacher can make careful repetition feel achievable, while a more goal-driven student may want clear milestones. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor's degree in guitar, and you can choose one yourself or ask us to recommend a match.

How do live online guitar lessons work?

A useful guitar lesson camera view shows both hands, the fingerboard, and enough of the picking area for the teacher to spot tension or an unclear chord change. Keep the guitar close enough to the microphone for its sound to come through clearly; your teacher can listen for timing and tone while watching how you form each shape. The teacher can then demonstrate a change and hear you try it again in the same lesson. A student in Detroit and a student in Harper Woods have the same access to a teacher who fits their goals, rather than being limited to whoever is closest.

What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You

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

GabrielMaster’s in Guitar

WillBachelor’s in Guitar

JacobBachelor’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.

Guitar in Michigan

Where to hear guitar

Guitar is easy to hear in Michigan's acoustic and folk gatherings, where performers play alongside other string instruments. In Ann Arbor, The Ark presents folk and other live music, with its monthly Artist Spotlight concerts free to attend. The Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival offers students free admission to select concerts through a limited Student Access Pass. In Detroit, the Detroit Jazz Festival includes jazz performances, while in Ann Arbor the Ann Arbor Symphony Orchestra offers half-price tickets for students and children under 18, giving a young guitarist broader musical listening beyond guitar alone.

Where to play with others

Acoustic jams offer Michigan guitarists a direct way to play with others, with a more informal feel than a school ensemble. Lake Diane Music Jam in Camden welcomes guitar and other acoustic instruments at a free monthly gathering. In Concord, Uncle Carl's Dulcimer Club welcomes guitar and other non-electric strings, while the Wheatland Jamboree in Remus invites musicians of all levels to play or listen. These groups let players build ensemble listening and song-leading skills in settings suited to acoustic guitar.

Guitar around Michigan, area by area

Detroit area

For a concert outing, the Dearborn Symphony offers college students tickets for $5, plus any applicable card fees. In Grosse Pointe Farms, the War Memorial's SummerFest concerts are free to the public in summer, with optional VIP tickets. These are listening opportunities rather than guitar ensembles, so they can help you or your child hear how guitar fits within a wider range of live music.

School year: Aug 24 to Jun 7, 39 lesson weeks (Detroit Public Schools Community District)
Town guides: Detroit, South Lyon, Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn, Livonia, Troy, Westland

Grand Rapids area

In Grand Rapids, students and educators can buy up to two Grand Rapids Symphony tickets for $12 each for eligible concerts. Aquinas College's music department also hosts concerts and events that are free to the public unless noted otherwise. The range gives a young guitarist a chance to hear orchestral music and other performances, even when the program is not centered on guitar.

Town guides: Grand Rapids, Holland, Wyoming, Kentwood, Forest Hills, Allendale, Walker, Cutlerville

Ann Arbor area

Ann Arbor offers free concerts in more than one setting. The Ann Arbor Civic Band plays free summer concerts at Burns Park on Wednesday evenings in June and July. First Baptist Church of Ann Arbor's AD LIBITUM concerts are free on Fridays at noon during the fall-to-spring season. Both give guitar students a chance to listen closely to live ensemble playing.

Town guides: Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti

Flint area

In Flint, students age 13 and older can buy up to two FIM Student Rush tickets for $13 to $26 on the day of many performances. That makes a live concert a practical listening goal for a teen guitarist, even when the performance centers on music beyond guitar. Flint is also home to the Michigan Guitar Festival, which brings guitar styles together in November.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 10, 38 lesson weeks (Flint Community Schools)
Town guides: Flint, Burton, Fenton

Kalamazoo area

College students in Kalamazoo can get Kalamazoo Symphony tickets for $10 plus a $2 ticket fee for most concerts. Kalamazoo County also has the Summertime Live Concert Series, with free family-friendly concerts at venues across the area. Those performances offer a low-pressure way for a guitar student to hear live music and develop a sense of style, rhythm, and ensemble sound.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 11, 38 lesson weeks (Kalamazoo Public Schools)
Town guides: Kalamazoo, Portage

Saginaw area

Saginaw listeners can find free summer music at Roethke Park in Thomas Township, where a picnic and concert series runs on Tuesday evenings. Jazz in the Garden offers free outdoor jazz for four Wednesdays in July at Lucille Andersen Memorial Garden. Both settings give guitar students a chance to hear live music in a community setting.

School year: Aug 31 to Jun 10, 38 lesson weeks (Saginaw Public School District)
Town guides: Saginaw

Jackson area

The Jackson Symphony Orchestra's Summer Pops concert at Horace Blackman Park is free, with student VIP tickets available for $15. In Albion, Swingin' at the Shell presents free live concerts on summer Sunday evenings. These performances give guitarists examples of live ensemble playing, while acoustic players in Jackson can also consider the community music opportunities in town.

Town guides: Jackson

A little guitar history in Michigan

Michigan's guitar tradition continues through events that bring different styles together. The Michigan Guitar Festival in Flint is set for mid-November and features classical, mariachi, and jazz guitar workshops, a masterclass, and an evening concert. For a student, that range shows how the same instrument can serve very different musical voices, from carefully shaped classical playing to ensemble styles. Hearing those approaches can help you or your child decide what kind of guitar music feels worth practicing.

Start Guitar Lessons at Lesson With You

Meet the teacher before weekly billing begins
Hear real-time feedback on the guitar you practice with
Talk through songs, style, and setup questions
Pick a weekly length after the first meeting

60+ Instructors

70,000+ Lessons taught

4.9/5 Average lesson rating

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find a good guitar teacher in Michigan?

Choose a teacher whose experience matches your goal, whether that is learning chords, playing classical guitar, or preparing for the Michigan Music Association competition. Lesson With You offers one-on-one weekly Zoom lessons with teachers who hold at least a bachelor's degree in guitar, and you can choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one.

Do live video guitar lessons really work?

Yes, a live video lesson lets a teacher hear your rhythm and tone and see your hands as you play, so feedback happens in real time. With a clear camera view of the guitar, you can work one-on-one each week without a commute or a limit to the closest teacher.

How does a guitarist reach Michigan's top student honors?

A leading route is the Michigan Music Association competition in Kalamazoo, which has pop and classical guitar divisions for eligible students ages 4–18. Students enter through a teacher who is an MMA member in good standing; the competition takes place in late February.

Can homeschool students enter Michigan music contests?

Homeschool students do not use the Michigan School Band and Orchestra Association's member-school route unless they qualify through a member school. A guitarist can instead enter the Michigan Music Association competition if they meet its age rules and study with a member teacher who enters them.

What age should a child start guitar lessons?

Many children are ready around elementary-school age, once they can comfortably hold the guitar and manage its strings. Starting before instrumental programs begin in fifth or sixth grade gives them time to build basic technique and rhythm on their own instrument.

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

No, adults can start or return to guitar at any age. A weekly teacher can meet you at your current level and help you build toward playing songs with acoustic groups such as Lake Diane Music Jam in Camden.

How much are guitar lessons in Michigan?

Guitar lessons in Michigan typically cost about $72 an hour, or $33 to $53 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.

Guitar lesson prices across Michigan

Meet a Guitar Teacher in Michigan Before You Continue Weekly

Find Your Next Guitar Teacher in Michigan

Will Orchard

Gabriel Maia

Jacob Billings

Jess Kerber

How guitar learning works in Michigan

How does guitar fit school music in Michigan?

Who runs what for Michigan guitarists?

Auditions and events in Michigan

How does a guitarist reach Michigan'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 guitar

A teen in Michigan

Starting or coming back as an adult

Finding the right teacher

What should a good guitar teacher do?

How do live online guitar lessons work?

Guitar in Michigan

Where to hear guitar

Where to play with others

Guitar around Michigan, area by area

Detroit area

Grand Rapids area

Ann Arbor area

Flint area

Kalamazoo area

Saginaw area

Jackson area

A little guitar history in Michigan

Start Guitar Lessons at Lesson With You

More for Michigan

Frequently Asked Questions