Learn Guitar your way with a TakeLessons expert

By Adam Tomar, Guitar Teacher in Tucson

Are you thinking about taking guitar lessons in Tucson? Although Tucson may not be a famous music destination like Nashville or Los Angeles, the city has a lot to offer to aspiring guitarists and/or hobbyists. Here are a few of my favorite places around the city to find inspiration, practice your skills, and buy some gear.

Chicago Music Store The Chicago Music Store is a local institution. They have been running a music store in the middle of downtown Tucson since the early 1900's and now have two locations. The store has an abundance of high-quality instruments for rent as well as accessories. What’s more, it's a great place to look through tons of vintage and new instruments. I know I've found a few treasures there over the years.

Metro Gnome Music Looking to trade in your old gear from some something new? Another music store I enjoy visiting is Metro Gnome Music located on Speedway Blvd. The music store has a nice selection of vintage instruments and encourages people to trade in older gear. Since it’s a local music store, they can be a little more flexible compared to some of the bigger national chains.

University of Arizona School of Music If you'd like to see some fantastic college musicians and get inspired, then check out the University of Arizona School of Music. Not only is this my alma mater, but they have also taught a ton of other classical and jazz artists throughout the years. Their symphonies and jazz bands are great, and their classical guitar department is considered one of the top 10 in the entire world. It's worth visiting the school and attending one of the many student or teacher performances.

Maker House Looking for somewhere to practice your skills in front of a crowd? Luckily for you, there are tons of places that hold open mic nights throughout Tucson. One mostly acoustic open mic is at Maker House located downtown. This is an eclectic crowd that has everyone from standard singer songwriters to standup comics. Open mic nights are held every Tuesday night, but double check to make sure of the sign up times.

Sky Bar If you play in a band or would like to try your skills in a louder venue, there's a great open mic night at Sky Bar located on 4th Ave. This is a great place if you really want to put on a show or play in a bar environment. Open mic nights are held every Wednesday night, but again check with them about sign up times because it can get crowded.

These are just a few of the resources available in Tucson for guitarists. There are tons of other music shops and venues in which you can practice your skills, gear up for a performance, or get inspired by other musicians. So, what are you waiting for? Book your guitar lessons in Tucson today!