Guitar Lesson Costs: What You Can Expect to Pay

Mirco Sontag
Mirco Sontag

Guitar teacher

Last update: 08.07.2025

You want to learn to play the guitar but are unsure which type of lessons suits you – and what the whole thing might cost? In this article, you'll find a comprehensive overview of the various forms of guitar lessons: from music schools and private lessons to online courses. We’ll show you what prices to expect, what factors influence the cost, and how you can learn guitar even on a tight budget.

Guitar Lesson Costs: Key Facts at a Glance

Guitar lesson costs depend on the format, duration, and the teacher’s qualifications. Location also plays a role – prices in larger cities are usually higher than in rural areas. Private one-on-one lessons are the most expensive, typically ranging from £30 to £60 per hour. Lessons at a music school are a more affordable option, costing about £35 to £65 per hour for individual lessons or £15 to £25 per hour for group lessons. For live online lessons, you can expect to pay around £20 to £45 per session, depending on the platform and instructor. Even more budget-friendly are apps or online courses like Music2Me or Yousician — prices start at around £10 per month, which breaks down to approximately £2–5 per hour with regular use (2–4 hours per week).

Why Take Guitar Lessons At All?

Before we dive into the costs, a quick look at the benefits of taking guitar lessons. Of course, you can teach yourself a lot through YouTube videos or guitar learning apps. Still, professional lessons have numerous advantages:

  • Personalised learning plan:
    A teacher can create a custom curriculum tailored to your strengths, weaknesses, and goals.

  • Avoiding mistakes:
    Feedback helps identify and correct mistakes early – saving time and frustration.

  • Motivation and support:
    egular contact with a teacher helps you stay on track.

  • Broad musical education:
    Music theory, ear training, improvisation, and various styles are often directly integrated.

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Comparing Different Lesson Formats

Guitar lesson costs vary greatly depending on the format. Whether you prefer individual attention, group learning, or flexible home practice, there are different options – each with its own pros and cons.

Lesson Format

Average Price Per Hour (UK)

Note

Private one-on-one lessons

£30–£60 (ca. 35–70 €)

Flexible, often paid in cash or via subscription

One-on-one lessons (music school)

£35–£65

Flexible, suited for children

Group lessons (music school)

£15–£25

2–4 people, suited for children

Online Lessons (Live)

£20–£45

Depending on platform and teacher

App/Online Course (Self-taught)

£2–£10 (with 2–4 hrs/week)

Self-learning format, no teacher

One-to-One Lessons – Personal, Intensive and Effective

Classic one-to-one lessons are ideal for beginners or ambitious players, as the teacher can cater to your strengths, weaknesses, and goals. In a music school, weekly lessons (30–45 minutes) typically cost between £140 and £250 per month, which equates to about £35–£65 per hour. If you choose private tuition, you’ll pay between £30 and £60 per hour, depending on the region and the teacher’s qualifications.

Pros:

  • Individual support

  • Faster progress

  • Tailored to personal goals

Cons:

  • More expensive than group lessons

  • Fixed appointments

  • Often long breaks in music schools (e.g., school holidays)

Group Lessons – Learning Together

If you enjoy learning in a group or want to save money, group lessons are a good option. In music schools, they typically cost around £60 to £100 per month, with 2 to 4 participants. Private tutors usually charge about £15 to £25 per person per hour, depending on the group size and lesson duration.

Pros:

  • More affordable

  • Learning and motivation in a group

Cons:

  • Less individual focus

  • Mixed learning levels can be disruptive

  • Fixed schedule

Online Lessons – Flexible in Time and Location

Modern online platforms and video conferencing tools make it easy to take professional guitar lessons from the comfort of your own home. Prices range from £20 to £45 per session, or around £70 to £120 per month, depending on the provider and lesson frequency.

Pros:

  • Flexible (in terms of location and time)

  • Wide range of teachers worldwide

  • No travel time

Cons:

  • Requires good technical equipment (camera, microphone)

  • Building a personal connection with the teacher can be harder

Self-Teaching with Online Courses or Apps – Affordable and Flexible

For budget-conscious or self-motivated learners, apps and online courses are a great option. Good offers start at around £8 to £15 per month, and some courses are available for a one-time payment of between £25 and £50.

Pros:

  • Extremely low cost

  • Learn at your own pace

  • Available anytime

Cons:

  • No direct feedback

  • Risk of developing bad habits

  • Motivation may suffer

Price Factors: What Influences the Cost?

  • Location:
    In larger cities (e.g. London), higher living costs also impact lesson prices. Prices are often lower in rural areas.

  • Experience and qualifications of the teacher:
    Professional musicians, music educators or university graduates usually charge more than hobby guitarists.

  • Lesson duration and frequency:
    A weekly 60-minute lesson costs more than a 30-minute one. You can also take lessons every two weeks – this saves money but slows progress.

  • Instrument and style:
    Specialised lessons – e.g. in jazz, classical or advanced electric guitar – may cost more, especially if taught by highly qualified teachers.

Why Guitar Lessons Are Worth It

If you’re determined to learn guitar, the question of whether it’s worth it almost answers itself. Still, if you're hesitant about the financial commitment, here are a few points to consider:

  • Cultural enrichment: Music fosters creativity, discipline and expressive ability.

  • Personal growth: Success in learning boosts confidence.

  • Social connection: Whether in a band or a duo, the guitar brings people together.

  • A lifelong hobby: Once learned, the guitar often becomes a lifelong companion.

Of course, all of this requires time and money – but the musical and personal benefits are definitely worth it. If you want to improve musically in the long term – especially in music theory, rhythm, improvisation or style – you will benefit greatly from structured lessons.

How to Learn Guitar on a Small Budget

Guitar lessons don’t have to break the bank. Here are some useful tips:

  • Group lessons or taster courses:
    Start with a group class or a beginner’s course to cover the basics.

  • Mix self-learning with lessons:
    Many people combine apps or YouTube with occasional private lessons – great for clearing up questions and making progress.

  • Hire students or music students as teachers:
    Music students often offer quality lessons at lower prices.

  • Subsidy programmes:
    In many cities, children and teens can get financial support through education passes or youth culture programmes.

  • Long-term contracts or 10-lesson passes:
    Some teachers offer discounts for long-term bookings or prepaid lesson blocks.

How Much Do Guitar Lessons Cost – And Are They Worth It?

Guitar lessons are as diverse as the instrument itself. Prices range from free online courses to around £60 per hour for high-level private tuition. Beginners should expect to pay approximately £120–£160 per month for weekly one-to-one lessons.

Is it worth the investment? Absolutely – as long as the teacher matches your goals and you’re motivated to learn. Otherwise, there are many viable alternatives that can also lead to success.


Frequently Asked Questions about Guitar lesson costs

Recommendations from friends, local music schools or platforms like Superprof and Facebook groups are good starting points. Pay attention to qualifications, style and personal chemistry.

Once a week is ideal for steady progress. If you have less time, every two weeks is also possible – but be prepared to practise more on your own.

That depends on your goals. For basic skills, 6–12 months is often enough. If you want to play more advanced pieces or improvise, plan on 1–3 years.


There’s little difference in pricing between adults and children. Some music schools offer cheaper group rates for kids.


Lesson prices depend more on the teacher, region and format than on your playing level. Advanced players usually don’t pay more than beginners.

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