For more than 20 years, Jonathan Barker Guitar Lessons has been teaching one-on-one lessons to every student that avails of their service. With that said, we think he’s ideal for students who want to learn in a more private setting minus the pressure of a group.

One thing that drew our attention to them is the fact that they have an impressive track record. They have taught over 35,000 personal guitar lessons through the course of their years in service – pretty impressive if you ask us!

Not only that, but the student reviews they have all reflect their solid service and teaching skills. All in all, this to us is a sign of satisfactory service and we always listen to past clients first whenever assessing this matter.

Speaking of which, students confirmed receiving informative lessons from Jonathan, even making basic instructions seem interesting. However, advanced players sometimes argue about feeling confined to one area since they find a lack of potential to grow.

On the plus side, they truly prioritize newcomers. There’s an exciting part where they allow their beginner students to start learning the key fundamentals and techniques of the guitar by listening to songs by their favorite artists.

Finally, they received a convenience bonus from us since they provide insightful materials online. This includes a custom play-along track, as well as audio of the lesson with a video of Jonathan performing the material at a slower tempo.

Actually, Kenny Lavitz is quite the popular figure in the Portland music scene and learning from him might be a true honor. But of course, there is still a lot more than the glory and pride that made him land on our list. 

Teaching in a group setting isn’t his forte, so you’ll most likely be getting one-on-one lessons from him at one of his three Portland metro area locations. Nevertheless, remote lessons are now available so that’s a plus point for convenience.

If you’re interested in specifics about his instruction, we’ve heard that he helps students develop music reading and transcribing skills. Although it is possible to learn to play the guitar without reading music, Lavitz believes that it’s an essential skill for any true musician.

Another great thing to mention is that he teaches his unique guitar playing style. This includes acoustic and electric guitar sweep-picking, slide guitar, finger-tapping, and one of his specialties – the blue/jazz to rock to delta slide.

Now, unlike other guitar lessons available online, which require a membership and payments, he offers free lessons on his YouTube channel. This makes it highly accessible for anyone anywhere in the world, but of course, these are only supplementary materials

Being a guitar performer is a plus, but we also took into account his experience in guitar teaching. Lavitz certainly exceeded our expectations in this regard, as he has been teaching for over 20 years in Portland.

The best thing about Learn Guitar PDX (and the reason they made our list) is that your first guitar lesson with them is free. They believe that this phase is important for getting to know the student’s interests, so why charge them? (makes sense, actually!)

It’s nice to know that they openly disclose their pricing structure so that guitar enthusiasts can plan accordingly. They’re reasonably priced (in our opinion) at $140 per month for a 30-minute weekly guitar lesson and $260 per month for a 60-minute weekly.

More positive news, if you make someone sign up for guitar lessons, you’ll likely get half off your next month’s lessons. So, as you help the business grow, you will benefit as well, which is something to be thankful for if you’re a financially troubled guitar enthusiast.

Most of their students are beginners and intermediates who are into styles like rock, blues, folk, country, pop, and funk, which the music studio specializes in. Take note, their guitar lessons are for all ages (a plus factor), and parents can sit in and learn with their kids.

They can also entertain advanced students by covering topics that are not addressed at other levels. This just demonstrates their versatility in this field, as they can teach music theory, improvisation, songwriting, and the most difficult of all, musical arrangement.

There’s just one thing you should keep in mind: they have a very strict late and cancellation policy. Late arrivals forfeit the missed portion of their lessons, and no-show lessons will not be refunded or rescheduled, unless for emergencies.

If experience is the basis of the best guitar lesson provider in Portland, Robbie Laws Music truly delivers. Well, Robbie himself is a nine-time winner of the Pacific NW ‘Best Electric Guitarist’ Award as well as the guitar instructor at Portland Waldorf High School.

His style conveys a thrilling set of rockin’ blues, jump swing, traditional country blues, Piedmont, and Delta, which you will most likely learn during your private guitar lessons with him. If learning with other guitarists is more of your style, he also offers group lessons.

But then, private lessons are the most popular type of lesson picked by his students. Well, we can’t argue with his students since we’ve heard he’s great at tailoring lessons to each student’s specific goals and skill level.

Not to mention the reasonable private lesson prices, which is fantastic given the high cost of personalized service. Their one-hour guitar lesson is priced at $55, while half an hour is available for $35.

They also offer a discount on pre-paid packages, which is a certain plus point in our book. So, if you purchase eight one-hour weekly lessons, you’ll get an automatic 15% off, making you save less than a hundred bucks.

On the other hand, students in guitar group lessons always jam on a Wednesday night –  talk about fun! In addition to guitar lessons and performance training, Robbie Laws Music also offers guitar workshops and a summer music camp for children. 

Maxime Tanti Guitar Lessons is run by Maxime Tanti, a multi-instrumentalist and music instructor in Portland, Oregon.

What we like about him is that he offers a wide variety of genres and instruments. When it comes to the guitar, he focuses on guitar styles like Rock, Blues, Jazz, Bluegrass, Folk, and Fingerstyle.

The instruments he teaches are Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar, and Mandolin, and he welcomes anyone at any skill level. However, he teaches only ages 16 and above.

He has undoubtedly help many musicians have fretboard fluency with the lessons he offers.

Despite the success of his teaching style, we like that he still continues to expand his curriculum and fine tune his approaches so that his students can have the fastest possible rate of improvement.

We like that he’s a very patient teacher and can breakdown and concept well. He also tailors his manner of instruction depending on the strengths and weaknesses of his students for maximum effectivity.

We highly recommend!

Kristen Waligora Guitar Studio is the place to learn from a multiple award-winning classical guitarist, who is experienced and university-trained.

We like her overall approach to her students. She starts with having a friendly chat with each of them to learn more about them to understand their unique needs.

From this chat, she’ll come up with tailored lesson plans based on her student’s specific goals and interests.

She teaches proper guitar technique, how to read music, knowledge of the fingerboard, music theory, and music ranging from Bach to Eric Clapton.

She also teaches the classical technique which we think will be helpful for you because it provides an excellent and solid foundation for all styles of music.

But don’t be dissuaded if you’re an intermediate, advanced or professional level because her lessons can still be very helpful for your continuous improvement.

We think it’s great that her lessons are all about building upon the foundation of a solid technique as well as a cohesive approach to studying all aspects of music. This way, anyone can be on their way to have a fun learning experience for life.

Seve Sheldon welcomes individuals of all ages and skill levels, fostering an inclusive learning environment.

He stands out as a dedicated drum instructor, offering lessons to both kids (age 7+) and adults, catering to various skill levels from beginners to everyday players.

We like his approach as it is versatile, covering a wide range of genres and focusing on creating a personalized and enjoyable learning experience.

The flexibility to explore any genre of music aligns with Seve’s commitment to accommodating the diverse musical preferences of students.

We think that this versatility allows for a well-rounded and customized learning experience based on individual interests.

We like him because of his passion for teaching, as well as the engaging nature of his lessons.

He offers both in-person and online lessons, providing flexibility for students to choose a format that suits their preferences and circumstances.

We do wish there were more information on his guitar lessons because the information focuses on his drum lessons.

Rock Dojo is a distinguished and unique guitar education program for kids, offering both after-school and online lessons. Their curriculum, inspired by martial arts, allows children to progress through belt levels, culminating in a “Black Belt in Rock.” This Black-owned, family-owned, and locally-owned business has been recognized as the “Best Guitar Educator in Portland” for 2024 by Distinguished Teaching, underscoring their commitment to excellence in music education. 

Designed to be engaging and goal-oriented, the martial arts-inspired belt system motivates students to achieve and advance. This approach is not only fun but also effective in teaching discipline and fostering a sense of accomplishment. The variety of lessons offered, from after-school programs in the Portland metro area to comprehensive online courses, provides flexible learning opportunities. Additionally, the inclusion of live concerts and interactive sessions adds a dynamic and exciting element to the learning experience, making music education enjoyable and memorable.

Another significant advantage of Rock Dojo is the expertise and dedication of its instructors. Brian Parham, the co-founder, and his team are highly praised for their thoughtful, organized, and inspiring teaching methods. Testimonials highlight the positive impact on children, including those with learning difficulties, such as dyslexia. The personalized feedback and support from experienced instructors ensure that each student receives the attention they need to succeed. The program’s ability to adapt and continue providing quality education during challenging times, like school closures, further demonstrates their commitment to their students’ musical growth.

However, there are some drawbacks to consider. While the program’s structured approach is beneficial for many, it may not appeal to all children, particularly those who prefer a more relaxed, less regimented learning environment. The focus on rock music might also limit the appeal to children with different musical tastes. 

In conclusion, Rock Dojo offers a highly effective and engaging guitar education program for children, combining structured learning with fun and creativity. The innovative curriculum, dedicated instructors, and flexible learning options make it an excellent choice for aspiring young musicians. If you are looking for a comprehensive and inspiring guitar program for your child, Rock Dojo is a remarkable option.