Guitar Lessons in Washington
What guitar lessons cost across Washington, and how to find the right teacher.
Guitar lesson prices across Washington
A one-hour guitar lesson in Washington typically costs $69 to $110, and a half hour $37 to $60. Prices change noticeably from town to town. The Seattle area runs highest, up to $117 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle area | |||
| Seattle | $39–$63 | $73–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Tacoma | $39–$64 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Marysville | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Bellevue | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Kent | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Everett | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Renton | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Federal Way | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Kirkland | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Auburn | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Redmond | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| South Hill | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Sammamish | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakewood | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Shoreline | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Burien | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Bothell | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Puyallup | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Edmonds | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Stevens | $37–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Lynnwood | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Issaquah | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Parkland | $39–$64 | $73–$117 | LessonsCosts |
| Graham | $37–$60 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| University Place | $39–$64 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Spanaway | $39–$63 | $73–$116 | LessonsCosts |
| Des Moines | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| SeaTac | $37–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Maple Valley | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Mill Creek East | $38–$62 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Frederickson | $38–$62 | $71–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Mercer Island | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Kenmore | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Eastmont | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| North Lynnwood | $38–$62 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Mountlake Terrace | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Union Hill-Novelty Hill | $36–$59 | $68–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Martha Lake | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Cottage Lake | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Silver Firs | $37–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Bonney Lake | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Bothell West | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Tukwila | $37–$60 | $69–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Mukilteo | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Covington | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Arlington | $37–$60 | $69–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Mill Creek | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Monroe | $37–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Fairwood | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Bryn Mawr-Skyway | $38–$62 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakeland North | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Stickney | $38–$62 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Fort Lewis | $38–$61 | $70–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| White Center | $38–$62 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Bothell East | $38–$63 | $72–$114 | LessonsCosts |
| Elk Plain | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Artondale | $36–$59 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Snoqualmie | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Woodinville | $37–$60 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Forest Park | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Lakeland South | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Edgewood | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Newcastle | $37–$61 | $70–$111 | LessonsCosts |
| Enumclaw | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Tapps | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| East Renton Highlands | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Gig Harbor | $37–$60 | $69–$110 | LessonsCosts |
| Prairie Ridge | $39–$63 | $72–$115 | LessonsCosts |
| Lake Morton-Berrydale | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Fife | $38–$62 | $71–$113 | LessonsCosts |
| Maltby | $35–$58 | $66–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Sumner | $38–$61 | $71–$112 | LessonsCosts |
| Spokane area | |||
| Spokane | $33–$52 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| Spokane Valley | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Cheney | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Liberty Lake | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Airway Heights | $33–$51 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Kennewick area | |||
| Kennewick | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Pasco | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Richland | $33–$53 | $60–$96 | LessonsCosts |
| West Richland | $33–$52 | $60–$94 | LessonsCosts |
| Vancouver area | |||
| Vancouver | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Orchards | $37–$59 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Camas | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Hazel Dell | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Battle Ground | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Five Corners | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Salmon Creek | $36–$58 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Washougal | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Ridgefield | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Minnehaha | $37–$59 | $68–$109 | LessonsCosts |
| Felida | $36–$59 | $67–$107 | LessonsCosts |
| Mount Vista | $35–$58 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Olympia area | |||
| Olympia | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Lacey | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Tumwater | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Yelm | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Bremerton area | |||
| Bremerton | $33–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Bainbridge Island | $33–$54 | $62–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Silverdale | $34–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Port Orchard | $34–$55 | $63–$100 | LessonsCosts |
| Poulsbo | $34–$55 | $64–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Bellingham area | |||
| Bellingham | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Lynden | $34–$55 | $63–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Ferndale | $34–$55 | $63–$101 | LessonsCosts |
| Birch Bay | $33–$53 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Yakima area | |||
| Yakima | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Sunnyside | $32–$49 | $59–$90 | LessonsCosts |
| Grandview | $32–$49 | $59–$89 | LessonsCosts |
| Mount Vernon area | |||
| Mount Vernon | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Anacortes | $33–$52 | $60–$95 | LessonsCosts |
| Sedro-Woolley | $33–$53 | $61–$97 | LessonsCosts |
| Wenatchee area | |||
| Wenatchee | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| East Wenatchee | $35–$57 | $65–$104 | LessonsCosts |
| Longview area | |||
| Longview | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
| Kelso | $32–$50 | $59–$92 | LessonsCosts |
| Oak Harbor area | |||
| Oak Harbor | $35–$57 | $65–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Camano | $33–$54 | $61–$98 | LessonsCosts |
| Other Washington towns | |||
| Aberdeen | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Centralia | $36–$59 | $68–$108 | LessonsCosts |
| Ellensburg | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Moses Lake | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Port Angeles | $34–$56 | $64–$103 | LessonsCosts |
| Port Townsend | $34–$56 | $64–$102 | LessonsCosts |
| Pullman | $36–$58 | $67–$106 | LessonsCosts |
| Shelton | $35–$57 | $66–$105 | LessonsCosts |
| Walla Walla | $33–$51 | $60–$93 | LessonsCosts |
No Washington town by that name yet. Lessons are live online, so you can still start from anywhere in Washington.
Meet a Guitar Teacher in Washington Before You Continue Weekly
The first lesson is also a simple way to check the student's guitar setup, camera angle, sound, and lesson length before choosing a weekly plan.
- 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 Washington
Browse guitar teachers, compare availability, and start with a free trial before choosing weekly lessons in Washington.
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How guitar learning works in Washington
Washington’s student guitar route centers on regional and state solo-and-ensemble contests, while the Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA) offers a separate, noncompetitive performance and coaching experience. Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA) and the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA) run the contest pathway: high school students at WIAA member schools can move from a regional contest to state, while WSMTA’s Music Artistry Program is open to students seeking feedback without competition. That distinction helps you choose between advancement toward state placements and a supportive performance experience.
Who runs what in Washington
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA)
- Runs
- Coordinates high school state solo-and-ensemble competition with WMEA.
- For
- Eligible students at WIAA member high schools.
Washington Music Educators Association (WMEA)
- Runs
- Runs regional and state solo-and-ensemble contests and All-State events.
- For
- School music students; guitarists use solo-and-ensemble contests.
Washington State Music Teachers Association (WSMTA)
- Runs
- Offers Music Artistry coaching, performance opportunities and student competitions.
- For
- Students of participating independent teachers.
Auditions and events in Washington
How does a guitarist reach Washington's top student honors?
For a Washington high school guitarist seeking a state honor, the route begins at one of 22 regional solo-and-ensemble contests; category winners advance to the WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest in Ellensburg. Guitar has both a solo category and ensemble categories, with guitar ensembles performing Saturday. The 2027 state contest takes place April 23–24, and solo performances are Saturday. Opus registration opens March 5 and closes March 26, with the performance schedule due April 2. The WMEA All-State groups are band, choir and orchestra, so they are not a guitar audition route. The state contest is the clearest progression for guitarists who want to compete.
The guitar route in Washington, step by step
- Regional contestEligible high school students compete in a guitar category at one of 22 regional contests, usually February through April.
- State contestThe 2027 contest is April 23–24; guitar solos and ensembles perform Saturday.
The Washington guitar year
WIAA/WMEA Regional Solo and Ensemble ContestsWashington Interscholastic Activities AssociationStart the piece Aug to Nov
WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble ContestWashington Interscholastic Activities AssociationStart the piece Oct to Jan
Working on the event piece, 3 to 6 monthsEvent
What do auditions ask you to prepare?
For a Washington guitarist, WSMTA’s Music Artistry Program offers a distinct goal from a contest: students perform an arrangement and receive individual coaching from a visiting artist. Folk-song, popular, orchestra and jazz arrangements are all welcome, so you can choose music that reflects what you or your child enjoys playing. Memorization is needed only for the WSMTA State Recital Competition or when applying for high school credit. A focused event piece usually takes three to six months to prepare in weekly lessons, giving a student time to shape the music rather than simply learn its notes.
What else is there to enter?
Students who want feedback without a contest can take part in WSMTA’s annual Music Artistry Program, where they perform and receive one-on-one coaching from visiting artists. Its repertoire can include folk, popular and jazz arrangements, which gives a guitarist room to choose music that feels relevant. Guitarists seeking a competitive goal can also consider WSMTA’s Washington State MTNA Performance Competitions in Ellensburg, held in early November. These options suit different temperaments: one emphasizes coaching, while the other gives a formal competition setting.
Guitar events in Washington, 2026–27
WIAA/WMEA State Solo and Ensemble Contest
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
- When
- April 23–24, 2027
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- High school students at WIAA member schools; four consecutive years of eligibility beginning in grade 9
WIAA/WMEA Regional Solo and Ensemble Contests
Washington Interscholastic Activities Association
- When
- Usually February–April 2027; regional dates vary
- Entry
- Ask the organizer
- Who
- High school students at WIAA member schools; four consecutive years of eligibility beginning in grade 9
Homeschool and private school students
A homeschool guitarist can pursue WIAA activity eligibility by registering a Declaration of Intent with the school district and meeting academic requirements; the student then becomes a member of the public school for activity eligibility. That is the route to the WIAA/WMEA regional and state solo-and-ensemble contests, which are for eligible high school students. The Washington Homeschool Organization also has local support groups with music activities such as band and choir, offering another way to connect with music-making.
Starting at any age
Starting a child on guitar
Guitar suits many children once they can manage the instrument’s size and press strings comfortably; lessons can begin before school music offers a place for guitar. Washington’s school standards include music learning across five grade bands, but school offerings differ, so a private lesson gives your child a steady path in reading, chords, rhythm and technique. That foundation also makes it easier to join acoustic or jazz playing with others later, rather than waiting for a school guitar group.
A teen in Washington
A teen guitarist in Washington has a clear contest route through regional solo-and-ensemble events, with eligible high school students advancing to state. All-State auditions are for band, choir and orchestra, not guitar, so a guitarist’s principal state honor opportunity is the solo or ensemble contest. Weekly lessons can build repertoire alongside schoolwork and help a teen choose a goal that fits, whether that is a competitive performance or the noncompetitive coaching offered through WSMTA.
Starting or coming back as an adult
Adults are welcome to start or return to guitar at any age, whether you want to play for yourself or build toward joining others. Guitarists can work toward acoustic jams and student jazz sessions in Washington, including settings that welcome newer players as well as circles with level guidelines. A weekly teacher meets you at your current experience and helps you build the skills and repertoire for the music you want to play, without making school deadlines the measure of progress.
Finding the right teacher
What should a good guitar teacher do?
A good guitar teacher listens for what you want to play, then builds the technique, rhythm and reading that make that music possible. For a student considering Washington’s solo-and-ensemble contest, a teacher should help shape a polished performance while keeping the work manageable; for another student, the right focus may be chords, fingerstyle or playing with others. Training matters, but the fit matters too: age, goals and personality affect how well a student learns. 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 one.
How do live online guitar lessons work?
In a live Zoom lesson, your teacher sees your hands, fretting and picking, and hears timing, tone and note clarity in real time, then gives feedback as you play. A stable camera view of both hands and a quiet room are enough to get started; you use your own guitar at home. Online lessons remove the commute and let you work with a teacher who fits your goals, not just the closest option. A student in Seattle and a student in Fort Lewis have the same choice of teacher and the same one-on-one weekly lesson, which makes a regular practice rhythm easier to keep.
What $35 a week gets you at Lesson With You
Guitar in Washington
Where to hear guitar
Washington offers guitarists several kinds of live music to explore. In Tacoma, Symphony Tacoma presents its Mini Maestros family series at Schneebeck Concert Hall and offers student and youth discounts at Pantages Theater concerts. In Spokane, K–12 students can attend Masterworks concerts free through FASTix, while Pops and Specials tickets are $25. These performances let you or your child hear how a guitar part can sit within a larger musical sound, even when the program is centered on other instruments.
Where to play with others
For guitarists who want to play with others, Washington has informal options beyond formal school ensembles. JazzClubsNW holds student jams in Bellevue and North Bend, and its Butter Notes Jam in Everett welcomes players who are new to jazz or still learning tunes. The Olympia Bluegrass Connections Jam meets twice monthly in Lacey, while the monthly Edmonds Big Band Night invites select amateur instrumentalists to play and sight-read with professional players. These settings range from welcoming first steps to more demanding playing.
Guitar around Washington, area by area
Seattle area
Seattle’s acoustic and jazz scenes give guitarists several ways to play with others. The Seattle Folklore Society has a weekly old-time jam in Columbia City, and Outlanders Bluegrass Social Club runs five weekly jams in the Seattle area with level guidelines to help players find a fitting circle. In Bellevue, JazzClubsNW holds student jams on the second and fourth Thursdays. Seattle also has chamber music at Nordstrom Recital Hall.
- School year
- Sep 2 to Jun 21, 39 lesson weeks (Seattle Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Seattle, Tacoma, Marysville, Bellevue, Kent, Everett, Renton, Federal Way
Spokane area
Spokane’s Fall Folk Festival offers a free chance to hear acoustic traditions, while students can also find a regular playing opportunity through the Lilac City Community Band. The band is for winds, brass and percussion rather than guitar, so guitarists are best served by the festival as listeners and by seeking acoustic playing circles. Spokane Symphony Pops and Specials concerts offer K–12 students $25 tickets.
- School year
- Aug 26 to Jun 15, 38 lesson weeks (Spokane Public Schools)
- Town guides
- Spokane, Spokane Valley, Cheney, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights
Kennewick area
Richland offers acoustic music through the free Tumbleweed Music Festival, held over Labor Day weekend, and student concerts through Community Concerts of the Tri-Cities. Its youth membership is for full-time students under 21 and offers a way to hear a season of live performances. These experiences can help a guitarist explore styles and instruments beyond the music they already play.
- School year
- Sep 2 to Jun 17, 39 lesson weeks (Kennewick School District)
- Town guides
- Kennewick, Pasco, Richland, West Richland
Olympia area
Olympia’s concert choices include free youth admission to Olympia Chamber Orchestra concerts and all-ages Scherler Sundays shows in July and August. The chamber orchestra gives young listeners a chance to hear how individual parts work within an ensemble, while Scherler Sundays offers a different kind of live music setting. For a guitarist, both are useful listening experiences beyond practicing alone.
- School year
- Sep 3 to Jun 17, 39 lesson weeks (Olympia School District)
Bellingham area
Bellingham gives students two ways to make a concert affordable. With a valid student ID, a student can buy the best available seats for $10 at the box office two hours before a regular-season concert. Youth 18 and under can also receive up to two free tickets when an adult ticket is purchased, so a family can hear live music together.
- School year
- Aug 31 to Jun 11, 38 lesson weeks (Bellingham School District No. 501)
- Town guides
- Bellingham, Lynden, Ferndale, Birch Bay
Yakima area
Yakima’s free Downtown Summer Nights concerts bring all-ages live music to the city on Thursday evenings, and the Yakima Valley Community Band presents free concerts throughout the year, especially its summer Concerts In The Parks. Its concerts give a guitarist a chance to hear ensemble playing and offer a local listening option without requiring a guitar group.
- School year
- Aug 27 to Jun 9, 39 lesson weeks (Yakima School District)
Mount Vernon area
Mount Vernon has free family-friendly music at the Riverwalk Summer Concert Series on Thursday evenings in July and August. Skagit Symphony concerts are also accessible to young listeners: children under 16 attend free with a paying adult, and high school and college students attend free with student ID. The symphony is a listening opportunity rather than a guitar group, but live ensemble music can broaden a guitarist’s sense of phrasing and sound.
- School year
- Aug 26 to Jun 16, 41 lesson weeks (Mount Vernon School District)
- Town guides
- Mount Vernon, Anacortes, Sedro-Woolley
A little guitar history in Washington
Washington has a small but distinct guitar-making history alongside its influential popular music. In Monte Cristo in 1895, luthier W. O. Welch was making an inlaid grand concert guitar from local cedar, and Renton maker Harvey Thomas became known for customized electric guitars in the 1960s and 1970s. Seattle native Jimi Hendrix learned guitar as a teenager and played in local bands before leaving Washington. For a student, that history shows how the instrument can belong to very different musical lives, from carefully built acoustic guitars to electric music shaped by local performers.
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 experience and approach fit your goals, age and learning style. Lesson With You offers a free 30-minute first lesson with no payment method needed, so you can meet the teacher before deciding on weekly lessons.
Yes, a teacher can hear your playing and see both hands in real time, then correct technique and timing as you play. You learn on your own guitar without a commute and can choose a teacher who fits rather than relying on the closest option.
Eligible high school students enter a WIAA/WMEA regional solo-and-ensemble contest, and category winners advance to the state contest in Ellensburg. Guitarists compete in solo or ensemble categories; All-State band, choir and orchestra are not guitar groups.
Yes, a homeschool student can become eligible for WIAA activities by registering a Declaration of Intent with the school district and meeting academic requirements. That can open the regional and state solo-and-ensemble route for eligible high school students.
A child can begin when the guitar fits their body and they can press the strings comfortably, often before school music offers a guitar ensemble. Individual lessons build the basics while the child develops the strength and coordination for playing.
No, adults can start at any age, whether their goal is to play songs for themselves or join an acoustic jam. Weekly lessons can begin at your current level and build toward the music you want to make.
Guitar lessons in Washington typically cost about $82 an hour, or $37 to $60 for a half hour. Lesson With You charges per lesson with no term to sign up for, and the first lesson is free.
