Top Spots for Guitar Lessons in Philadelphia

Whether you want to take lessons to enhance your career path or just for fun, Philadelphia offers ample options. As you indulge your inner rock star or try to introduce your kids to the arts, check out the area's best options for guitar lessons. From School of Rock to more personalized instructions, these are the best places for guitar lessons in Philly.

School of Rock
421 N. Seventh St.
Philadelphia, PA 19123
(267) 639-4007
www.philadelphia.schoolofrock.com

The School of Rock was created in 2002 and is part of one of the largest after-school teaching programs with more than 8,000 students in 98 locations in the country. It's conveniently located in Center City and just minutes from 95 for people who live in the suburbs. The School of Rock features a wide variety of teachers and methods for learning to play the guitar and offers a free trial lesson. Students may take weekly private lessons, or join the school of rock camp in the summer.

David Joel Guitar Studio
6311 Horrocks St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19149
(215) 831-8640
www.davidjoel.net

Price:$60 per hour

Former Berklee faculty member David Joel offers acoustic guitar lessons. He boasts an advanced degree in music and is an accomplished jazz guitarist as well. Students who have taken classes with him find him patient and great at helping them reach their goals. Joe backs up his slightly higher prices with both a bachelor's and a master's degree, and his fun approach makes every lesson a worthwhile investment.

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Robert Swift of Swiftlessons
3701 Spring Garden St.
Philadelphia, PA 19105
(609) 675-8799
www.phillyguitarclass.com

Price: $20 to $40 per hour

Robert Swift has been a professional musician for more than 15 years. Swift promises professional, goal-oriented teaching to help prepare students for any musical challenge. Students enjoy a free lesson to try out his teaching approach and see if it is a good fit when they call to schedule. Swiftlessons is conveniently located in Center City and guarantees your satisfaction -- or your money back.

South Street Sounds
1531 South St.
Philadelphia, PA 19176
(215) 732-8259
www.sssounds.com

Price: $25 to $45 per hour

South Street Sounds promises reasonably priced, conveniently located lessons near Rittenhouse Square on South Street. It's also a music store, so you can purchase whatever musical equipment you may need here as well. As a bonus, it boasts its own recording space. Students put on a concert called Budda-Fest, and South Street sounds works in conjunction with Budda-Zen studios for recording CDs and vinyl.

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New Jersey School of Music
605 Route 70 West
Cherry Hill, NJ 08002
(856) 910-0060
www.njschoolofmusic.com

Price: $25 per half-hour, discounts for families/$12 group classes

Peter Vigliotti teaches guitar on Mondays and Wednesdays. The NJ School of Music also offers recitals twice a year and the option of group classes over private classes, which are more affordable. This may also be more appropriate for someone who already has a base knowledge. The School of Music believes music is a lifelong endeavor and offers classes for other instruments as well. Enjoy access to board-certified musical therapy classes for children with special needs.

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Christina Dagnelli is a freelance writer in Philadelphia and the author of Little Squares with Colors: A Different way to look at autism. Her work on examiner can be found here Examiner.com.