Classical guitar lessons: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What classical guitar lessons is

A classical guitar teacher covers nylon string technique, reading standard notation, fingerstyle playing and repertoire from many eras. People book these lessons when they want to read music for guitar, play classical pieces or prepare for exams and recitals.

Signs you need it

  • You want to read standard notation for guitar on the staff
  • Your nails break or catch on the nylon strings when you play
  • You want to play pieces from the classical or Latin repertoire
  • Your right hand sounds uneven, with some notes louder than others
  • You are preparing for a recital, competition or school audition

What the pro does

  • Sets your posture with a footstool and the classical seating position
  • Teaches right hand fingerstyle using rest stroke and free stroke
  • Introduces reading standard notation for guitar on the staff
  • Assigns graded repertoire that moves from simple pieces to harder ones
  • Works on left hand position and clean chord changes on nylon strings

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Teacher experience with classical repertoire and exam preparation
  • Lesson length and how many lessons you book each week
  • Whether you want technique only or a full program of pieces
  • Private lessons compared with group or ensemble classes
  • Whether the teacher comes to your home or you travel to a studio
  • Music books, sheet music or a classical guitar you need to buy

What a written quote should spell out

  • The number and length of lessons and whether they are private or shared
  • The repertoire and reading goals the plan covers
  • The cancellation and makeup policy for missed lessons
  • Which method books and sheet music you must buy yourself
  • Whether lessons are in person, at your home or online

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Do you teach reading standard notation, or mostly tabs?
  • What repertoire would you start me on, and how did you choose it?
  • Do you prepare students for exams or recitals, and what does that involve?
  • How do you teach rest stroke and free stroke?
  • If the student is a minor, do you run background checks, and what is your policy on parents in the room?
  • What should I do about nail length and nail shape on nylon strings?

Red flags

  • Teaches only tabs and says standard notation is not needed
  • Skips posture and right hand technique to get to pieces faster
  • Promises a recital-ready piece in a few weeks
  • Will not say how they grade the repertoire or measure progress

What you can do yourself

You can keep your guitar tuned, file your nails to a consistent shape, and practice slow scales with a metronome. Hire a teacher when you want to read standard notation, prepare for an exam, or fix a right hand technique problem that you cannot hear yourself.

Licenses and permits

No license is usually required to teach classical guitar lessons. Check with your state or local licensing agency if you are unsure whether a teaching business needs a registration.

Classical guitar lessons questions

Do I need a classical guitar to start?

A nylon string classical guitar is the usual choice for this style, since steel strings sound and feel different. Ask the teacher what to buy before you order one.

Do I need to read music before my first lesson?

No. Many students learn notation during lessons. Tell the teacher whether you read tabs or standard notation so the first lesson starts at the right place.

How do I book a classical guitar teacher on infinibell?

Describe the lessons you want, including reading goals, repertoire and your level. Pick the teachers you want by name. Only the teachers you pick see your request, and it is free for you.

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