Spalding Shara
July 29, 2026
Guitar is the most requested “I want to learn an instrument as an adult” starting point in Los Angeles, and one of the top three most requested for kids and teens. LA has one of the deepest guitar teacher pools in the world: session players, film and TV composers, working touring musicians, and jazz and classical specialists all live and teach here. This guide walks through the entire LA guitar lesson landscape from a working teacher perspective.
For guitar-specific technical foundations, our beginner guitar chords guide and easy guitar songs for beginners articles pair well with this piece. For the broader LA music lesson landscape, see our guide to finding music lessons in Los Angeles. You can also browse Craft Music Los Angeles and LA guitar lessons.
A teacher comes to your home. Given LA traffic, this is the most popular format for adults with a work schedule, families with kids in after-school activities, and anyone who wants to skip the drive. Craft Music in-home rates are $68 for 30 minutes, $93 for 45 minutes, and $106 for 1 hour. Browse LA guitar lessons, start at Find My Teacher, or ask the concierge in the bottom right for a neighborhood match.
You bring your guitar to a studio. Best for students who want a dedicated music environment, group class options alongside private lessons, or the community of a music school. Some LA schools specialize in rock, blues, and jazz group formats that work well alongside 1-on-1 lessons.
A live video lesson from anywhere. Craft Music online lessons are 50 minutes long, with rates set by each teacher. Guitar teaches surprisingly well over video because the teacher can see chord shapes, strumming hand, and picking technique clearly. Best for teens and adults who can set up a webcam and clear audio. Younger beginners under about age 10 usually do better in-home so the teacher can physically guide hand position. See our full breakdown of in-home vs online music lessons, or browse online lessons.
Do not overthink this, but do not buy the cheapest option either. The most common beginner mistake is buying a very cheap department-store guitar that literally cannot be tuned—which turns practice into frustration and quitting into a likelihood.
A Yamaha FG800 or FS800 is the standard recommendation of most working teachers. Playable, stays in tune, sounds good, and holds value if resold. For kids under 10, look at 3/4-size versions of similar models.
A Squier Stratocaster or Squier Bullet with a small practice amp bundle covers everything a beginner needs. Great neck feel, standard shape, easy to upgrade individual components later if you continue playing.
A Yamaha C40 or C70 nylon-string is the standard recommendation. Nylon strings are easier on beginner fingertips than steel strings, and classical technique transfers cleanly to other styles later.
For acoustic guitar with a 3/4-size instrument, most kids are ready around age 6 to 8. Electric guitar is best started around age 8 and up because of the weight and amp setup. Before age 6, a small-body ukulele works better as a first “guitar-like” instrument—the smaller neck and lighter strings are physically more accessible. Our full breakdown by instrument is in best age to start music lessons.
LA has one of the deepest guitar teacher pools in the world, and coverage is strong across every major neighborhood. Areas with particularly deep coverage include:
For most beginners with 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice: first two-chord and three-chord songs within two to three weeks, first full recognizable song within four to six weeks, and smooth changes between the main open chords within two to three months. Our guide to how long it takes to learn an instrument covers the guitar timeline in detail. Between lessons, keep goals and practice notes in Lesson Hub so progress stays visible week to week.
Craft Music matches LA guitar students with conservatory- or professionally trained working guitarists based on the style you want to play, your age, and your neighborhood. Every teacher is background-checked and personally interviewed. Many teachers on the LA team play regular gigs across the city—so lessons come from a working musician performing this month at LA venues.
Browse the Craft Music teachers page, start at Find My Teacher, or open the concierge in the bottom right. Between lessons, shared goals, notes, and practice updates live in Lesson Hub. If the match is not right, switching teachers is straightforward.
For acoustic: a Yamaha FG800 or FS800. For electric: a Squier Stratocaster or Squier Bullet with amp bundle. For classical or fingerstyle: a Yamaha C40 or C70 nylon-string. Avoid very cheap department-store guitars that cannot be tuned properly.
Acoustic with a 3/4-size guitar works from age 6 to 8. Electric is best started around age 8 and up. Before age 6, ukulele is a better first “guitar-like” instrument because of the smaller neck.
For teens and adults, yes. Guitar teaches particularly well over video because the teacher can see chord shapes and strumming hand clearly. Craft Music online lessons are 50 minutes with variable rates. For young beginners under age 10, in-home usually works better so the teacher can physically guide hand position.
Most beginners with 15 to 20 minutes of daily practice play their first two-chord or three-chord song within 2 to 3 weeks, and a full recognizable song within 4 to 6 weeks. Smooth chord changes take 2 to 3 months.
All major LA neighborhoods including Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Hollywood, Silver Lake, Studio City, Sherman Oaks, Glendale, Pasadena, Manhattan Beach, and every other major area. Ask the concierge in the bottom right if you want help matching by neighborhood and style.
In-home lessons are $68 for 30 minutes, $93 for 45 minutes, and $106 for 1 hour. Online lessons are 50 minutes with rates set by each teacher—check the price on their profile before booking.
Ready to start guitar lessons in Los Angeles? Browse Craft Music LA guitar teachers, or open the concierge in the bottom right to get matched by style, level, and neighborhood. In-home across LA, or online nationwide.
Find My Teacher LA guitar lessons Meet Craft Music teachers Browse online lessonsAt Craft Music, we believe music is an expressive language and a creative outlet. It shapes culture and identity, and we're here to inspire and support your musical and personal growth!
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