Guitar Lessons in Minnesota
What guitar lessons cost across Minnesota, and how to find the right teacher.
Guitar lesson prices across Minnesota
A one-hour guitar lesson in Minnesota typically costs $60 to $95, and a half hour $33 to $52. Most towns sit close to that range. The Minneapolis area runs highest, up to $100 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.
| Town | 30 minutes | One hour | Guides |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis area | |||
| Minneapolis | $33–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Paul | $33–$54 | $62–$99 | LessonsCosts |
| Bloomington | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Brooklyn Park | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Plymouth | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Woodbury | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakeville | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Blaine | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Maple Grove | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Eagan | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Burnsville | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Coon Rapids | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Eden Prairie | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Apple Valley | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Edina | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Minnetonka | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Louis Park | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Shakopee | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Cottage Grove | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Maplewood | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Richfield | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Inver Grove Heights | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Roseville | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Andover | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Savage | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Brooklyn Center | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Fridley | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Chaska | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Oakdale | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Ramsey | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Prior Lake | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Rosemount | $32–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Elk River | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Shoreview | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Chanhassen | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| White Bear Lake | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Farmington | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Champlin | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| New Brighton | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Crystal | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Otsego | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Columbia Heights | $33–$54 | $62–$99 | LessonsCosts |
| Hastings | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Lino Lakes | $32–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Golden Valley | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| West St. Paul | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| New Hope | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Forest Lake | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| South St. Paul | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Michael | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Stillwater | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Hopkins | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Anoka | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Ham Lake | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Buffalo | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Hugo | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Monticello | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Robbinsdale | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Rogers | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Waconia | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Elmo | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Mounds View | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Vadnais Heights | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| North St. Paul | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Big Lake | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| East Bethel | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Mendota Heights | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| North Branch | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Victoria | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Little Canada | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Cloud area | |||
| St. Cloud | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Sartell | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Sauk Rapids | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Duluth area | |||
| Duluth | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Hibbing | $31–$43 | $56–$78 | LessonsCosts |
| Cloquet | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Mankato area | |||
| Mankato | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| North Mankato | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Peter | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Faribault area | |||
| Faribault | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Northfield | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Minnesota towns | |||
| Albert Lea | $32–$47 | $59–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Alexandria | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Austin | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Bemidji | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Brainerd | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Fergus Falls | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Grand Rapids | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Hutchinson | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Marshall | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Moorhead | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| New Ulm | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Owatonna | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Red Wing | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Rochester | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Willmar | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Winona | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Worthington | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
No Minnesota town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Minnesota.
Meet a Guitar Teacher in Minnesota Before You Continue Weekly
Use the first lesson to talk through the student's goals, hear how the teacher explains corrections, and decide whether 30, 45, or 60 minutes makes sense.
- 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
Find Your Next Guitar Teacher in Minnesota
Browse guitar teachers, compare availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Minnesota.
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How guitar learning works in Minnesota
Minnesota offers guitarists a contest path through the Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA), while the Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) runs contests for high school soloists and ensembles. The distinction matters because MMTA’s guitar contest is open through participating teachers, but All-State is not a guitar route: the Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA) selects high school band, choir, and orchestra students. A guitar student can therefore pursue judged performance and a winners recital without waiting for a school guitar ensemble.
Who runs what in Minnesota
Minnesota Music Teachers Association (MMTA)
- Runs
- Offers guitar contests and student examinations.
- For
- Students entering through participating music teachers
Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL)
- Runs
- Runs high school solo, small ensemble, and large ensemble contests.
- For
- Minnesota high school students
Minnesota Music Educators Association (MMEA)
- Runs
- Runs All-State auditions and ensembles for band, choir, and orchestra.
- For
- High school students auditioning through a sponsoring teacher
Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs
- Runs
- Holds statewide student festivals with guitar solo, ensemble, and concerto events.
- For
- Students in classical or pick-style guitar events
Minnesota Guitar Society
- Runs
- Presents guitar concerts and a youth guitar performance event.
- For
- Guitarists and concert audiences
Auditions and events in Minnesota
How does a guitarist reach Minnesota's top student honors?
For Minnesota guitar students, the clearest honor route is a judged performance that ends in a winners recital, rather than an All-State guitar ensemble. In the Minnesota Music Teachers Association contest, a student presents one repertoire selection; a winner returns the following year to continue through the contest sequence. High school guitarists also have the Minnesota State High School League’s Solo & Ensemble Contest, with regional dates set by each region. MMEA All-State is for band, choir, and orchestra students, so guitarists should focus their planning on the contest and school solo opportunities that actually include their instrument.
The guitar route in Minnesota, step by step
- Choose a contest routeStudents can enter a guitar contest or, in high school, a regional Solo & Ensemble Contest; regional dates are set by each region.
- Present a repertoire selectionThe guitar contest asks for one prepared selection; winners continue in the contest sequence the following year, ending in a winners recital.
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
The MMTA guitar contest centers on one repertoire selection, so the work is to make a complete piece secure, musical, and cleanly paced. Lessons can focus on the specific demands of that piece, such as consistent tone, controlled changes between sections, and a confident opening and ending. Three to six months of weekly work gives a student room to learn the notes, refine the performance, and return to difficult passages without rushing. The contest’s theory prerequisite belongs to the eligibility steps, while preparation time is best spent making the chosen guitar piece convincing.
What else is there to enter?
Students who want feedback without a winner-takes-all setting can enter Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs festivals, held around the state from November through March. Their classical and pick-style guitar events include solo, ensemble, and concerto options, and the festivals evaluate rather than rank students in a competition. The Minnesota Guitar Society also gives young performers a public-facing goal through its Youth Guitarathon in May 2027, which suits students ready to share a prepared performance with an audience.
Homeschool and private school students
Minnesota resident homeschool students may take part in extracurricular activities through their resident district on the same basis as public school students, so they can ask the district about entering its high school Solo & Ensemble Contest. For All-State, a homeschooled student must be part of the corresponding secondary-school ensemble in good standing through shared-time study, and guitar is not an All-State ensemble route. The Minnesota Music Teachers Association guitar contest and Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs festivals offer student performance options outside school ensembles.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on guitar
Guitar suits a child once they can comfortably hold the instrument and press its strings; there is no single school grade to wait for in Minnesota, since guitar is not one of the standard school band or orchestra parts. Private lessons give you or your child a way to build finger strength, clean chord changes, rhythm, and note reading at a pace that fits their hands. That foundation also makes it easier to join a jam or accompany others later, rather than learning songs by imitation alone.
A teen in Minnesota
A Minnesota teen can pursue guitar through judged contests and school solo opportunities, but guitar is not part of MMEA All-State band, choir, or orchestra. The MMTA contest route centers on a prepared selection and progresses by level, so a teen can plan toward a performance goal without relying on a school guitar ensemble. Weekly lessons fit that calendar by keeping repertoire moving steadily, while a dedicated teacher can help balance guitar practice with schoolwork and other activities.
Starting or coming back as an adult
It is not too late to begin or return to guitar as an adult in Minnesota; adults can build toward playing with others at jams rather than entering a student honor route. The Duluth Folk School’s old-time jam in Duluth welcomes guitar, and Northern Roots Session in Northfield is open to players at all experience levels. A weekly teacher meets you where you are, whether you are learning your first chords or rebuilding technique, and helps you make progress without needing prior ensemble experience.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good guitar teacher do?
A strong guitar teacher listens for relaxed fretting, clear notes, steady rhythm, and a sound that suits the student’s goals, whether that means classical playing, chords for songs, or preparation for an MMTA contest. Fit matters because a young beginner, a returning adult, and a teen working toward a performance need different pacing and repertoire. Every Lesson With You teacher holds at least a bachelor’s degree in guitar, and you can choose a teacher yourself or ask us to recommend someone whose approach suits your age, goals, and personality.
How do live online guitar lessons work?
In a live Zoom guitar lesson, your teacher can hear timing, tone, chord changes, and string noise, and see both hands well enough to give real-time feedback. Set the camera so the guitar neck and picking hand are visible, with the instrument tuned before the lesson; a second device angle can help when finger placement needs a closer look. Online lessons mean no commute and access to a teacher who fits, rather than only whoever is closest. In Minneapolis or Bemidji, you get the same teacher choice and weekly one-on-one lesson with one dedicated teacher who learns how you learn.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
GabrielMaster’s in GuitarWillBachelor’s in GuitarJacobBachelor’s in GuitarGuitar in Minnesota
Where to hear guitar
Minnesota Guitar Society’s 2026–27 International Artists season includes eight concerts, and its Youth Guitarathon on May 22, 2027, gives students a chance to hear young performers. In Sandstone, the Minnesota Bluegrass & Old-Time Music Association lists a weekly all-level old-time jam at the 210 Gallery and Art Center, where a guitarist can hear acoustic music in a participatory setting. These choices offer different kinds of listening, from a concert program to a community jam.
Where to play with others
Guitarists in Minnesota can find shared playing through acoustic jams rather than school guitar ensembles. In Duluth, the Duluth Folk School’s free old-time jam welcomes guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, dulcimer, and bass, with players learning tunes together. Northern Roots Session in Northfield is a weekly acoustic jam for musicians and listeners of all ages and experience levels, making it a welcoming place to listen before joining in.
Guitar around Minnesota, area by area
Minneapolis area
Saint Paul offers students of all ages free tickets to eligible Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra concerts, reservable starting two weeks before each performance. Young people 20 and under can also use Minnesota Opera’s $10 youth rush tickets on performance day, starting 90 minutes before curtain. These concerts give a guitar student in the Minneapolis area a chance to hear orchestral and operatic music live.
- School year
- Sep 8 to Jun 11, 37 lesson weeks (Minneapolis Public School District)
- Town guides
- Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park, Plymouth, Woodbury, Lakeville, Blaine
Duluth area
Duluth offers an easy way to hear different instruments together: children 12 and under can attend Lake Superior Chamber Orchestra concerts for $5, while students ages 13–17 and college students with valid ID pay $10. During summer, Duluth’s Music in the Park brings free Tuesday concerts to the city from mid-June through early August, giving a guitar student a low-pressure listening option.
- School year
- Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Duluth Public Schools)
Rochester area
In Rochester, SEMYO gives young musicians an ensemble route, while Rochester Symphony Kids presents a family concert built around Peter and the Wolf at Dakota Middle School. For an outdoor listening option, the Riverside Music Series brings five free Sunday-evening concerts to Mayo Park in summer 2027, so a student can hear live music without arranging a ticket.
- Town guides
- Rochester
Mankato area
Mankato’s Serendipity Music Series offers free midweek, midday performances for the community, which makes it a simple way to hear music during the day. In North Mankato, the Mankato Symphony Orchestra’s Symphony on the Prairie is a free-will-donation concert. Together, these give a guitar student both an indoor listening opportunity and an outdoor symphony event.
- School year
- Sep 8 to Jun 10, 39 lesson weeks (Mankato Area Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Mankato, North Mankato, St. Peter
Faribault area
Faribault’s free Concerts in the Park run on Thursday evenings at the Historic Central Park Band Shell from mid-June to mid-August, giving families a regular summer music outing. In Northfield, St. Olaf Music Department events are free and open to the public unless noted otherwise, so a guitar student can also hear performances in a campus setting.
- Town guides
- Faribault, Northfield
Willmar area
In Spicer, the Tasting Grove Summer Music Series offers free live music on Thursday evenings from May through August. Willmar’s Prairie Winds Summer Band holds Wednesday-evening concerts at Rice Park in June and early July. These give a local guitarist two summer listening options, one in Spicer and one in Willmar.
- School year
- Aug 31 to May 28, 37 lesson weeks (Willmar Public Schools - District 347)
- Town guides
- Willmar
A little guitar history in Minnesota
Minnesota has an active guitar culture that spans classical performance, youth concerts, and roots music. The Minnesota Guitar Society’s concert season includes a Classical Guitarathon in December and a Youth Guitarathon in May, while Minnesota Federation of Music Clubs festivals bring classical and pick-style guitar evaluation to communities around the state. Minnesota-born guitarist and songwriter Paul Metsa has been based in Minneapolis since 1978, and Iron Range-raised blues guitarist PK Mayo grew up gigging in Eveleth. For a student, those different paths show that guitar technique can support both formal repertoire and distinctive personal styles.
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
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher whose approach fits your goals, age, and way of learning, whether you want to play songs, study classical guitar, or prepare a contest piece. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one, and every teacher holds at least a bachelor’s degree in guitar.
Yes, a live Zoom lesson lets a teacher hear timing, tone, chord changes, and string noise while watching both hands and offering real-time feedback. With no commute, you can work weekly with a teacher who fits rather than only someone close by.
Minnesota does not have a guitar route in MMEA All-State band, choir, or orchestra, but guitarists can enter the MMTA Voice and Instrumental Contest. A contest winner advances the following year and the process culminates in a winners recital, with a required theory level for winner consideration.
Yes, Minnesota resident homeschool students may participate in their resident district’s extracurricular activities on the same basis as public school students. For MMEA All-State, a homeschooler must be part of the corresponding secondary-school ensemble through shared-time study, and guitar is not an All-State ensemble route.
A child can start when they can comfortably hold a guitar and press its strings, since hand size and comfort matter more than a particular grade. Private lessons let you or your child build basic technique and rhythm at a pace suited to their hands.
No, adults can begin or return to guitar at any age, building toward jams or simply playing for themselves. A teacher can meet you at your current level, whether you are learning first chords or rebuilding technique.
Guitar lessons in Minnesota typically cost about $71 an hour, or $33 to $52 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.