How do you select your instructors?
We've carefully selected the most qualified and well-respected instructors, ensuring a great fit for those who are just learning to play, as well as those who want to advance their skills. Beyond having celebrated careers, our instructors are personable, patient and well educated, often with advanced degrees in music from renowned music schools. All of our instructors are required to pass through detailed training and a background check.
Do you record the lesson?
Yes. We record all of our lessons for the safety of our students and instructors, and to monitor for quality control.
What do you do with our recorded lessons?
We only use the recordings for safety and quality monitoring purposes. Recordings will not be used for marketing purposes or any other use. We do not provide those recordings to anyone—students, instructors or the public. Only approved Guitar Center employee administrators have access to the recordings.
How do you secure the recordings?
The recordings are encrypted and stored in a secured location that is only accessible by approved Guitar Center employee administrators.
How am I billed for lessons?
When you purchase lessons, you pay for your first month, which is equal to four lessons (or five depending on how many weeks there are in that month). After that, you'll be billed via an auto billing system called EZPay.
How often am I billed through EZPay?
EZPay will automatically charge your credit card on the 20th of each month, adding four or five weeks' worth of classes to your account (based on the number of weeks in that month).
What are the benefits of EZPay?
The EZPay automatic billing system provides a hassle-free way to guarantee your lessons continue on a weekly basis, and that you're able to get the schedule that works best for you. Continuing to take lessons on a weekly basis will also help you keep progressing.
Can I purchase just one lesson?
In order to see results, we recommend trying at least one full month of lessons. Learning a new skill takes time. If you decide to continue, you'll be automatically enrolled for the next month. If you are not satisfied, we can switch your instructor, change your schedule or cancel your account at any time.
I need to reschedule my lesson. What happens to my lessons credits?
As long as you provide 24-hours notice that you need to reschedule your lesson, your lessons credits will remain on account to use at another time.
Can I get a refund on lesson credits?
No. Lesson credits are non-refundable once purchased.
For more information, check out our terms and conditions page.
What happens if I need to cancel my appointment?
To cancel or reschedule a lesson at no cost, you must provide at least 24 hours prior written notice. We will reschedule your lesson subject to instructor availability. If you do not show up for a lesson or provide adequate notice, you will be charged for the missed lesson. Bonafide emergencies are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Online Lessons
What lessons are offered online?
We offer lessons on guitar (electric, acoustic and bass), drums, piano, vocals, DJ and, in select locations, music production, songwriting and brass & woodwind instruments. We also offer lessons on orchestral stringed instruments in select locations.
How can I get started with online lessons?
Once you purchase your lessons, you'll be contacted by an associate to help pair you with the instructor who best fits your needs.
How do online lessons work?
We use a customized Zoom platform that's simple to use. This is a secure video conferencing tool. Once you've been scheduled, you'll receive a link via email one to two hours before your lesson starts.
Do I need to create a Zoom account?
You don't need a Zoom account to get started with our online lessons.
Do I need to download anything?
No download is required to get started with online lessons, unless you are using a mobile device, in which case you will need to download the Zoom app.
Do I need an instrument to take online lessons?
You will need to have an instrument for your online lessons (unless you're taking songwriting or production lessons). You can shop the world's greatest selection of gear at guitarcenter.com, or call one of our associates at 877-687-5403 and we'll help you find the instrument that's right for you.
What kind of equipment do I need to take an online lesson?
You will need a computer or mobile device with a microphone, camera and stable internet connection.
Do I need to have special audio equipment to take online lessons?
While you do not need special audio equipment to take online lessons, we do recommend that you turn on "High Fidelity Audio mode," which can be found within the advanced audio settings for Zoom.
Do I need anything else to take an online lesson?
We recommend having materials, such as a pencil, sheet music and metronome ready, if you have them. Prepare your room to be as well lit, quiet and distraction-free as possible. Adjust your webcam or mobile device so that your instrument is visible, with your speakers turned to a reasonable volume.
I did not receive my Zoom link for my online lesson. What can I do?
Log in to your guitarcenter.com account, click on "My Lessons," then "Online Lessons" and you can find the link there. If you need additional help, please reach out to your local Guitar Center.
I had technical problems with my online lesson. Will I lose my credit?
No, we will make sure to reschedule your lesson without penalty.
How much are online lessons?
Pricing for online lessons will vary depending on your location. (NOTE: this is the same price as in-store lessons.) Click here to search by ZIP code, city or state.
I've read a lot about "Zoombombing." Can that happen to our lessons?
As a licensed enterprise Zoom customer, we access Zoom's secure global data centers, providing enhanced security and controls beyond what's provided through free publicly available Zoom accounts.
A unique, password-protected link is provided for every lesson—available only to the instructor and the student.
Only an instructor can start a lesson and admit a student from the Digital Waiting Room. Lessons are locked as soon as they start. The instructor is the only one who can share a screen and can immediately expel anyone, in the highly unlikely event an unwanted guest gets in. We have locked down file-sharing capability to "OFF" so no one can share a file during a lesson.
Do online lessons credits expire?
Yes. If you have not taken a lesson in 90 days, those credits will expire.
How do I manage my online lessons schedule on the Guitar Center website?
When you set up your student account and profile at guitarcenter.com, you will be able to access our online Lessons Scheduler to view your lessons account history, lessons schedule and launch your online lessons.
In-Store Lessons
How do I schedule my lessons?
Guitar Center Lessons students can schedule and modify upcoming lessons by calling their local Lessons location.
What instruments do you teach?
We offer private one-on-one and group instruction for guitar, bass, drums and piano. At select locations, we also offer lessons in DJing, songwriting and music production classes for learning popular DAWs (digital audio workstations). We also offer singing lessons, available online only.
Where do I take my lessons?
We have a wide range of instructors teaching in safe, modern learning facilities located conveniently within our Guitar Center retail locations. There are cameras in each lesson room so you can monitor your child's progress from the waiting room or lobby.
As a parent/guardian, do I need to remain in the store while my child takes lessons?
An adult parent or guardian must accompany any student under 12 years of age upon arrival and departure from every lesson.
I purchased lessons online. Now what?
If you ordered lessons online or added a 4-pack of lessons to a purchase on our website, the next step is for you to call or visit your store to schedule your lessons.
Important Message Regarding the Recording of Online Lessons
Parents and guardians: If you are signing your child up for online lessons, please read this first. Guitar Center takes the safety of students and instructors very seriously, which is why our online lessons are recorded.
The recordings, which may capture the voice and image of your child, are stored using Zoom's Cloud recording service and are only accessible to authorized Guitar Center employees. Neither students nor instructors have access to the recordings.
Recordings are temporarily stored by Zoom to ensure the safety of both students and instructors and are not used or shared for any other purpose.
To proceed, we will need your consent to record your child's lessons through Zoom. By completing the payment you consent to this recording.
For more information about Zoom's privacy practices, visit here. See Guitar Center's complete privacy policy here.