Best Places For Guitar Lessons In San Francisco
Did you know that the modern acoustic guitar's forebears were first made in the Renaissance? Whether it's a long-held desire or a New Year's impulse, learning to play guitar is easy in San Francisco. There are a variety of instructors that offer private and group lessons in many areas of the city, and on acoustic guitar, bass guitar and electric guitar. Consider checking out one of these instruction options if you want to learn to play the guitar or improve your skills.
Discover the Sound of You
SoundSpace
2111 Mission St., Suite 303
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 305-8494
www.discoverthesoundofyou.com
Musician, music teacher and composer Carrie Love teaches guitar, bass guitar and songwriting. She is also the founder of Music for Empowerment, a music program that works with groups such as hospice, those dealing with cancer and at-risk youth. Carrie also offers "Creative Sound Coaching" for anyone who wants to explore their life through music. An eight-week workshop in beginning guitar will be held beginning January 23 for $240. Private guitar lessons are available for $55 an hour.
Creative Spark Guitar
1802 Eddy St.
San Francisco, CA 94115
(415) 246-9167
www.creativesparkguitar.com
Teacher Jeff Feldman offers guitar lessons both in person in San Francisco as well as over the internet via Skype. He specializes in beginners, having fun with the guitar and classes for two or three friends or families at a time. As the name of his business suggests, Feldman believes that anyone can learn how to play guitar with joy and satisfaction. He also teaches how to write songs. Feldman will travel to your home in San Francisco for an additional fee. Lessons at Feldman's studio are priced at $50 per hour.
Clark Music Studio
39th Ave. and Judah St.
San Francisco, CA 94122
(415) 681-9116
www.guitarlessonssf.com
John Clark has taught at the Stanford Jazz Workshop and around the Bay Area; he performs regularly as well as teaches guitar and bass. Lessons are available at Clark's studio in the Outer Sunset for all levels of guitar players. Clark focuses on technique, improvisation, rhythm and learning to read music. One of Clark's students called him "encouraging, challenging and respectful of his students."
Related: San Francisco's Best Music Shops
Blue Bear School of Music
Fort Mason Center, Building D
Marina Blvd. at Buchanan St.
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 673-3600
www.bluebearmusic.org
Blue Bear School of Music has been teaching Bay Area music students since 1971. This San Francisco institution offers group classes in a variety of instruments and styles of music, as well as private lessons. Blue Bear offers beginning, acoustic and electric guitar classes as well as classes in songwriting, blues, jamming and music theory. In addition, the school offers a three-pay tuition option, and a sliding scale for those in financial need. The winter session of group classes begins the week of January 14. Private lessons cost $55 per hour; classes start at $245. A yearly membership fee of $35 is required to sign up for any classes or lessons.
Balboa Guitars
3942 Balboa St.
San Francisco, CA
(415) 221-3920
www.guitarpixel.com
Mark Newstetter offers lessons in guitar from his guitar store, Balboa Guitars, as well as at your location in San Francisco. Costs are $50/hour for each lesson or $60 on location. The purchase of any six or 10 class series includes the textbook "Fretography," authored by Newstetter. Take advantage of this great instruction and learn today.
Laura Tarwater-Scharp is a freelance writer, editor and historian. Originally from the Midwest, she has lived in the San Francisco Bay Area for over a decade. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
