Guitar Lessons in Pennsylvania
What guitar lessons cost across Pennsylvania, and how to find the right teacher.
Guitar lesson prices across Pennsylvania
A one-hour 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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia area | |||
| Philadelphia | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Levittown | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Norristown | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Chester | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Drexel Hill | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| King of Prussia | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Pottstown | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| West Chester | $36–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Phoenixville | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Lansdale | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Willow Grove | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Ardmore | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Montgomeryville | $36–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Coatesville | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Yeadon | $37–$60 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Lansdowne | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Darby | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Broomall | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Roslyn | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Pittsburgh area | |||
| Pittsburgh | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Bethel Park | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Monroeville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Plum | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Allison Park | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| New Castle | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Baldwin | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Murrysville | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| West Mifflin | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| McKeesport | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Franklin Park | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Greensburg | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Wilkinsburg | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Carnot-Moon | $32–$46 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Washington | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Butler | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Jefferson Hills | $31–$44 | $58–$81 | LessonsCosts |
| New Kensington | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Lower Burrell | $32–$46 | $58–$84 | LessonsCosts |
| Munhall | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Allentown area | |||
| Allentown | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Bethlehem | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Easton | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Fullerton | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Emmaus | $35–$56 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Northampton | $34–$56 | $64–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Harrisburg area | |||
| Harrisburg | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Carlisle | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Colonial Park | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Hershey | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Progress | $33–$53 | $61–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Scranton area | |||
| Scranton | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Wilkes-Barre | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Hazleton | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Dunmore | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Kingston | $32–$48 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
| Mountain Top | $32–$45 | $58–$83 | LessonsCosts |
| Nanticoke | $32–$47 | $58–$86 | LessonsCosts |
| Lancaster area | |||
| Lancaster | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Ephrata | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Elizabethtown | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Reading area | |||
| Reading | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Wyomissing | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| York area | |||
| York | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Hanover | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Weigelstown | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Shiloh | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Chambersburg area | |||
| Chambersburg | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Waynesboro | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Hermitage area | |||
| Hermitage | $32–$47 | $58–$85 | LessonsCosts |
| Sharon | $32–$50 | $59–$91 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Pennsylvania towns | |||
| Altoona | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Bloomsburg | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Erie | $32–$45 | $58–$82 | LessonsCosts |
| Indiana | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Johnstown | $31–$43 | $57–$79 | LessonsCosts |
| Lebanon | $32–$48 | $59–$88 | LessonsCosts |
| Meadville | $32–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Pottsville | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| St. Marys | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| State College | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Williamsport | $32–$47 | $59–$87 | LessonsCosts |
No Pennsylvania town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Pennsylvania.
Meet a Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania 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.
- Try the first 30-minute lesson free
- Check your guitar, sound, and camera setup from home
- Ask about acoustic, electric, or classical goals
- Continue only if the teacher feels like the right fit
Find Your Next Guitar Teacher in Pennsylvania
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How guitar learning works in Pennsylvania
How does guitar fit school music in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania leaves graduation requirements to each school entity, while its arts standards set learning goals at the ends of grades 3, 5, 8, and 12. Gettysburg Area School District begins band, choir, and orchestra in fourth grade; Wissahickon School District offers orchestra in grades 3–5 and band and chorus in grades 4–5. Private lessons give you or your child a way to build guitar skills alongside those school music experiences.
Who runs what for Pennsylvania guitarists?
Pennsylvania’s clearest guitar-specific student route runs through the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA), which offers a solo performance festival for instrumental students of member teachers, including adults. The Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA) runs school music festivals, and District 7 includes a modern band festival, giving eligible school music students an ensemble-focused option. The distinction matters: PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival provides a solo progression, while PMEA connects students through school music festivals.
Who runs what in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA)
- Runs
- Runs the Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival and Keystone Concerto Festival.
- For
- Instrumental students entered by member teachers.
Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA)
- Runs
- Runs school music festivals, including District 7 modern band.
- For
- Eligible school music students.
American Choral Directors Association of Pennsylvania (ACDA-PA)
- Runs
- Runs the Choir for All Honor Choir.
- For
- Singers; not a guitar performance route.
Auditions and events in Pennsylvania
How does a guitarist reach Pennsylvania's top student honors?
For Pennsylvania guitarists, the clearest solo honors route is the Pennsylvania Music Teachers Association (PMTA) Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival. A Pennsylvania-resident instrumental student of a PMTA-member teacher first performs in a local preliminary audition; a Superior rating and the required theory result qualify the student for the state showcase. Students of any age, including adults, may enter. PMEA District 7 also offers a modern band festival for eligible school music students, while the PMEA All-State jazz audition window opens in early November each year.
The guitar route in Pennsylvania, step by step
- Local preliminary auditionPennsylvania-resident instrumental students of PMTA-member teachers perform first; local auditions precede the annual state showcase.
- State showcaseThe state showcase follows the local preliminary auditions each year; its timing is in early November.
The Pennsylvania guitar year
PMEA District 7 Band, Chorus, Orchestra, Jazz, and Modern Band FestivalsPMEA District 7Start the piece Jul to Oct
PMEA All-State EnsemblesPennsylvania Music Educators AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For a solo guitar entry in the Dorothy Sutton preliminary audition, prepare two contrasting pieces by different composers, each at least 16 measures without repeats. Memorization is strongly recommended, not required, and any piece written with accompaniment requires a live accompanist. Performances are limited to 15 minutes unless the local chair adjusts that limit. To qualify for the state showcase, a student needs a Superior preliminary rating and at least 85 percent on the written theory exam. In weekly lessons, allow three to six months to shape an event piece, giving time to build accuracy and musical expression.
Homeschool and private school students
PMEA District 7 requires private, parochial, charter, cyber, and cyber-charter students to take part in their own school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and receive sponsorship from the appropriate PMEA-member director to qualify for festivals. A homeschool guitarist can also pursue PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival through a participating member teacher, which offers an individual performance path. Folk jams provide another way to play with others without entering a contest.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on guitar
Guitar can suit a child once they can hold the instrument comfortably and manage its strings, often around age six or seven, though readiness matters more than a birthday. Since Pennsylvania districts begin school music groups at different grades and guitar follows an individual lesson path, private study can give a child a musical starting point before or alongside school participation. Weekly lessons build finger control, chords, rhythm, and reading at a pace that makes early progress manageable.
A teen in Pennsylvania
A teen can start guitar without waiting for a school music group, since guitar follows an individual route alongside district programs. School music students may pursue PMEA festivals, including District 7 modern band, while guitarists also have a solo opportunity through PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival. Its preliminary auditions lead to a state showcase for qualifying students, so regular lessons help a teen develop musical confidence while balancing school and other commitments.
Starting or coming back as an adult
Adults can take part in guitar playing with others through the Philadelphia Community Orchestra in Philadelphia, which welcomes musicians and sound makers of all kinds, or through folk jams in Harrisburg, Quakertown, and Havertown. It is not too late to start or return to the instrument, and a dedicated teacher can meet you at your current level. Weekly lessons give you a steady way to build toward playing with others or simply enjoying guitar on your own.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good guitar teacher do?
A good guitar teacher listens for the sound and style you or your child wants, then builds the technique and reading that support it. For a student considering PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton festival, that means helping choose contrasting pieces and prepare theory while keeping lessons focused on musical growth. A young beginner benefits from clear, manageable steps, while an adult returning to guitar may want to reconnect with favorite music. Lesson With You lets you choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one, and you can switch teachers at no cost if the fit is not right.
How do live online guitar lessons work?
A live Zoom guitar lesson lets the teacher hear timing, tone, and chord changes in real time and see your hands as you play. Set the camera so the guitar neck and both hands stay in view, and have the instrument tuned before the lesson. There is no commute, and you can choose a teacher for fit rather than being limited to whoever is closest. A student in Philadelphia or Franklin Park gets the same one-on-one weekly lesson with a dedicated teacher, and the first 30-minute lesson is free with no payment method needed.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
GabrielMaster’s in GuitarWillBachelor’s in GuitarJacobBachelor’s in GuitarGuitar in Pennsylvania
Where to hear guitar
Live listening options beyond the major city concert programs include the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra in State College, where 2026–27 concerts offer $10 student tickets and $7 tickets for children or students with ID. Its free family concert at Good Shepherd Catholic Church is scheduled for March 20, 2027, at 11 a.m. Erie Philharmonic symphonic and pops concerts admit students with a valid school ID for $19, subject to availability, giving families two distinct ways to hear orchestral playing.
Where to play with others
Guitarists seeking a more structured group can consider the PYO Music Institute’s Pizzicato Players in Philadelphia, a plucked-string ensemble for ages 6–18 that accepts classical or acoustic guitar. For a less formal setting, the Haycock Folk and Bluegrass Jam in Quakertown meets monthly, and the Kelly Center Bluegrass Jam in Havertown welcomes all skill levels. These options let a player choose between rehearsed ensemble work and open folk or bluegrass playing.
Guitar around Pennsylvania, area by area
Philadelphia area
Philadelphia guitarists have a focused ensemble path through the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society Concert Ensemble, open to intermediate and advanced players of any age. Participation requires an audition and society membership, so it suits someone ready to prepare music with a group. The PYO Music Institute’s Pizzicato Players also accepts classical or acoustic guitar for ages 6–18, offering younger players a plucked-string ensemble setting.
- 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
For guitarists in this part of Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh’s jazz scene includes the Pittsburgh International Jazz Festival, held each September, with free general admission at the August Wilson African American Cultural Center and on Liberty Avenue downtown. A guitar student can hear how the instrument works in a live jazz setting, then bring those sounds and ideas back to individual practice.
- 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 Allentown Symphony Orchestra family concert is open to the public, with free tickets for everyone under 21 through the box office. In Allentown, Pennsylvania Sinfonia Orchestra’s 2026–27 season also offers free admission to students 21 and under, with no advance ticket needed. Both make it easier for a young guitarist to hear live ensemble playing with family.
- School year
- Aug 24 to Jun 10, 40 lesson weeks (Allentown School District)
- Town guides
- Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton, Fullerton, Phillipsburg, Emmaus, Northampton
Harrisburg area
In Harrisburg, guitarists can join the monthly folk jams held by the Susquehanna Folk Music Society at Fort Hunter Barn, usually on second Sundays from October through May. The jams welcome players from beginners to experts, making them a practical first group for a student who is still building confidence. Families can also hear the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra’s free summer concert series.
- 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 5:00 to 7:00 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. These give guitarists and families in the area two different chances to hear live performances.
- Town guides
- Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, Hazleton, Dunmore, Kingston, Mountain Top, Nanticoke
A little guitar history in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a longstanding guitar-making connection: Christian Frederick Martin moved his guitar-making business to Nazareth in 1839, and C. F. Martin & Co. has made acoustic guitars there for generations. Martin developed the X-bracing design used in acoustic guitars. In Philadelphia, Eddie Lang helped establish guitar as a lead and rhythm instrument in jazz during the 1920s and 1930s. That history links a Pennsylvania student to both instrument making and jazz, while the Philadelphia Classical Guitar Society’s festival gives audiences a chance to hear emerging guitarists perform competition finals.
Start Guitar Lessons at Lesson With You
- Try the first 30-minute lesson free
- Check your guitar, sound, and camera setup from home
- Ask about acoustic, electric, or classical goals
- Continue only if the teacher feels like the right fit
Frequently Asked Questions
Choose a teacher whose approach fits your goals, age, and preferred style, and who can explain how lessons will build technique and musical confidence. Lesson With You offers a free first 30-minute lesson, and you can choose a teacher or ask us to recommend one.
Yes, a live Zoom lesson lets a teacher hear your playing and see your hands in real time, so they can respond to technique and timing as you play. Lessons are one-on-one each week, with no commute and access to a teacher who fits you rather than only whoever is closest.
The clearest solo route is PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton Performance Festival: a student plays a local preliminary audition, then qualifies for the state showcase with a Superior rating and at least 85 percent on the theory exam. The festival takes place in early November.
Yes, but PMEA District 7 requires homeschool and other nonpublic students to take part in their own school ensemble or a community-based equivalent and receive sponsorship from the appropriate PMEA-member director. Guitarists can also pursue PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton solo festival through an eligible member teacher.
Many children are ready around age six or seven, when they can hold a guitar comfortably and manage its strings, though readiness varies. Private lessons can provide a guitar path alongside district music opportunities.
No, adults can start or return to guitar at any age, and PMTA’s Dorothy Sutton festival accepts adult instrumental students of member teachers. A weekly teacher can meet you where you are and help you progress toward playing for yourself or with others.
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.