How Much Are Guitar Lessons At Guitar Center? (Review 2023)

So you’ve decided to learn how to play the guitar. Maybe you’re completely new to the instrument, or perhaps you’ve had a guitar for awhile and want to take your learning to the next level.

The question is, where do you start? A lot of legendary guitarists were self-taught, and there are more resources today than ever before, mostly thanks to the internet. When I was starting out as a kid, being self-taught meant searching for books and tapes at the local library and music stores.

Once I began taking lessons, however, I progressed quickly. It’s easy to pick up bad habits while learning alone, and it’s hard to break them once you do. By having a teacher, you can get feedback and have someone to monitor and guide your learning.

One option for guitar lessons is your local Guitar Center. If you’re wondering about the cost, the average pricing at Guitar Center can range from as low as $52.50 to as high as $72.50 per hour depending on various factors. Besides that, you’ll also need to factor in a one-time registration fee of $30.

In this Guitar Center lessons review, we’ll take a deeper look at their system, pricing structure and whether or not it’s worth the cost.

What Types of Guitar Lessons Does Guitar Center Offer?

Guitar Center has offered in-person lessons for as long as I can remember. Of course, this varies by location. I believe that online guitar lessons are relatively new for the retailer.

Normally, I would recommend taking in-person one-on-one lessons, but the way Guitar Center handles things, there’s very little difference. In fact, they even try to match you with a local instructor so you can switch between online and in-person learning if you wish.

Either way, you’ll have an instructor who can view your playing and provide valuable feedback. One advantage of in-person lessons is that your teacher can also inspect, tune and adjust your guitar for you.

This can be helpful if you’re still new to the instrument. You can opt for 60-minute or 30-minute lessons. Guitar Center calls the 30-minute sessions, express lessons.

Express lessons are great for beginner students who are learning the basics. The longer, one-hour sessions are ideal for intermediate students or those who are able to progress faster.

Keep in mind that everyone learns things differently. Don’t try to compare yourself to others, learning an instrument takes time and a lot of practice.

Guitar Center recommends that you practice between 15 and 30 minutes a day between lessons. When you’re able, try to work your way up to an hour each day. From my own personal experience, I find these time frames to be a good rule of thumb.

Some locations also have Open House Lessons. These special events introduce you to the lesson process and allow you to meet the local instructors. Check Guitar Center’s website or call your local store for more information.

Membership and Subscription Options

Lessons are purchased in four-lesson blocks. I personally think that’s just the right amount. Many music teachers will require lengthy contracts to make sure they get paid for the time they spend on new students. It’s meant to dissuade people from quitting right away.

This is clearly also what Guitar Center is thinking about when requiring you to buy four at a time, but I think this strikes a good balance between protecting the instructors and allowing freedom for the consumer.

Four lessons isn’t nearly as bad as being locked into six months or a one-year contract. If something happens that prevents you from taking lessons for awhile, you’ve already paid for them in advance.

They’ll still be there when you’re able to resume learning. When you choose a four-lesson block, you’ll select from either 60-minute or 30-minute sessions. GC makes it easy to switch instructors, change your schedule, or even cancel your entire account.

Cost of Guitar Lessons at Guitar Center

So, how much do guitar lessons cost at Guitar Center? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Actually, your guitar lessons cost will vary between different Guitar Center locations.

Different cities and regions may have different rates depending on factors such as rent costs, local competition, and instructor expertise.

For specific details, you can go to the Guitar Center website and enter your zip code for local prices. You can also call or visit your local store and discuss the prices with them.

At my own local store, GC lessons cost $109 for four 30-minute sessions or $218 for four 60-minute sessions. But let’s delve a bit into how these prices might look in different cities.

In a bustling city like New York, lessons cost at Guitar Center can be as high as $145 for four 30-minute sessions or $290 for four 60-minute sessions. Over on the West Coast in Los Angeles, prices can be as low as $125 for the four 30-minute sessions and $250 for the longer 60-minute sessions.

If you were to venture down to a place like Houston, the rates get even more appealing with guitar lessons as low as $105 for four 30-minute sessions and $210 for the hour-long sessions.

As you can observe, lesson prices vary based on location. Additionally, costs might differ within the same location depending on whether the lessons are for acoustic or electric guitars and the experience level of the instructor.

It’s always best to consult your local GC for the most precise pricing in your area.

Are Guitar Center Lessons Worth the Price?

The prices per lesson at my nearest Guitar Center Store are not that far off from what my own parents paid for my lessons when I was a young kid. That was quite a few years ago, so when you account for inflation, I believe the cost at Guitar Center is very reasonable.

Now, if you decide to find guitar lessons elsewhere, there are plenty of avenues to explore. Some might opt for private lessons or even scour places like Craigslist for local teachers.

Here, prices can range as low as $25 to as high as $100 per hour. While the average price might be tempting, especially for those on a tight budget, there are some potential downsides to consider.

Private lessons lack a standardized approach, with instructors varying in teaching methods which may not suit every student. With places like Craigslist, there’s the risk of fluctuating quality in online instruction.

Online lessons are convenient, but in-person sessions, like those at GC, offer invaluable immediate feedback. I like how diligent GC is when it comes to getting qualified instructors and ensuring a more uniform learning experience, particularly for beginners in stringed instruments.

Still, if the cost at Guitar Center is too much for you, don’t be discouraged. Just try one of the alternatives that I listed above.

There are a few more aspects you should know before opting in for guitar lessons at Guitar Center. To learn more, check out our full Guitar Center Lesson Review.