Get performance & production-ready at the best music schools in Glasgow!
Back in 2008, Glasgow became the UK’s very first UNESCO City of Music. Not exactly earth-shattering news when around half a million locals pile into gigs at live music venues yearly.
Safe to say the city runs on riffs and drumbeats. Even my wee niece, a rookie then, told me she fancied giving music lessons a bash.
Long story short, we found a decorated music school that adjusted to her level, and some lessons later, she left everyone gobsmacked at a recital.
What’s neat is that, during our search, we also came across other options suitable for hobbyists, serious musicians, and children with a knack for a tune. You’ll find their names below and why they stood out.
How much do music lessons cost in Glasgow?
In Glasgow, music lessons often cost £26.50–£40 for classes running between 30 and 60 minutes. The average cost is £29 per hour.
Major institutions, meanwhile, such as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, charge £2,680 for a 30-week programme, with pre-junior programmes costing £1,480 for the same duration.
Guru Music School
Address: Cabinet Making Workshop, Abercromby Business Centre, 279 Abercromby St, Bridgeton
Contact Details: +44 7466 615468
Operating Hours: Mon to Sat – 10 am to 8 pm
There’s none of that rigid classroom vibe at Guru Music School. Newbies like my niece find it warm and encouraging.
Structure-wise, each weekly session builds upon the last. That setup keeps students practising and developing consistently, which isn’t something one-off bookings often achieve.
The personalised instruction from award-winning tutors with decades of experience helps a ton. Chad, Alexia, and Dean have provided beginners with foundational guidance while also refining the techniques of pros like band singers.
Students also get to show off in front of a real and live crowd! Every month, the school hosts open mics and jam sessions, both superb at tracking progress and building confidence.
If there’s a catch, it’s the limited programme selection. Certain schools branch out past guitar, piano, and vocal lessons.
Guru Music School is a touch newer than other picks as well. While effective and affordable, they just opened in 2023.
The instructors were incredibly supportive
I had my first singing lesson, and it was a fantastic experience! The instructors were incredibly supportive and made me feel comfortable right away. They helped build my confidence while also focusing on technique, giving me practical exercises that made an immediate difference. I left the lesson feeling inspired and excited to continue improving. Highly recommend!
Christopher Fox, Google Review
Makes You Feel at Ease
Mick makes you feel at ease and quickly finds any issues you may be having with your vocals and can pinpoint areas of improvement quickly so you can start to improve your voice from day 1. Highly recommended and look forward to developing my voice with Guru Music Studio
Gary Lynass, Google Review
Bishopbriggs School of Music
Address: 41/42, 102 Crowhill Rd
Contact Details: +44 141 772 4333
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 3 pm to 9 pm
- Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
Bishopbriggs School of Music (BSM) has the awards to back its reputation, mainly Scotland’s Best Music Award, bagged in 2022 and 2023.
You’ll get it once you look at their PVG-checked faculty. Tutors like Ryan and Gabrielle have the years, technical skill, passion, and patience to fine-tune beginners.
We don’t think they’re a hobbyist-only school, either. BSM adheres to recognised RSL, ABRSM, and Trinity curricula.
They’re also not limited to a handful of instruments. Around 10 programmes are offered, mainly string, wind, and keyboard instruments, with vocal theory to boot.
Students can’t schedule classes on the weekends, though. That’s bad news for busier folks.
Booking some tutors, chiefly the popular ones, can also be tricky. Do note that most students opt for one-on-one sessions.
The upside is the instructors are degree holders who actively perform and compose.
Amazing Teacher
Highly recommend…especially for the oldies like me…60 and learning piano for first time ever….Gabriele is an amazing teacher and I am having a best time learning a new skill.
Christine D, Google Review
Encouraging and Inspiring
My 2 kids (8 and 6) started guitar and ukelele lessons with Ryan at BSM in January this year and are really enjoying it. He’s fun, encouraging and inspiring. Thanks very much!
Fiona Easton, Google Review
Riverside Music College
Address: 28 Field Rd, Busby
Contact Details: +44 141 644 5571
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 9 am to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 10 am to 6 pm
Riverside Music College (RMC) is a spot-on choice for those pursuing a career in the music world. HND and degree-level programmes make up the bulk of their offerings.
That’s one reason their courses are both industry-focused and geared for further studies. Think audio engineering, music performance, and electronic pop music production.
RMC, however, doesn’t really focus on casual classes. Yes, a few enrol for drum or guitar lessons, but the majority go here to build portfolios, compose, network, or pick up employment-ready skills.
The school might also be too much for hobbyists or musicians with minimal tech chops. As mentioned, their courses lean on music production, and that involves dabbling with complex gear.
If that’s what you’re specifically after, you’d be glad to know that universities and employers seem to favour their alumni.
You also don’t have to move around for state-of-the-art facilities. Commercial-grade studios are on-campus.
Very Special Place
I was in the area so popped in to enquire about the studio…I was greeted by warm friendly staff then took on a tour made to feel very welcome. HIGHLY recommended especially for those looking to learn..seems like a very special place. FANTASTIC all round 🙂
Scott S, Google Review
Patient, Talented, Caring
My daughter has been going for several years for guitar lessons and I have started bass lessons too. Same teacher, Michael. I cannot rate him highly enough. Patient, talented, caring. We both look forward to our lessons every week with Michael. My daughter has rocketed through the exams. Me less so 😉. Totally and utterly recommended. They also do a band session at the weekend where young people can get together to play with tutors helping out. Jamie who is the head of tuition is there and he is such a lovely guy who is very encouraging to all the students.
David Henery, Google Review
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Address: 100 Renfrew St
Contact Details: +44 141 332 4101
Operating Hours:
- Mon to Fri – 7:30 am to 10 pm
- Sat – 8 am to 9 pm
- Sun – 9:30 am to 9 pm
Open since 1847 and considered by QS World University Rankings as a Top 10 school for performance arts, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s (RCS) inclusion on this list is well-deserved.
I mean, have you seen their alumni? Jack Lowden, James McAvoy, and David Tennant are some of the stars who got their start here!
It’s also safe to claim they outclass the rest when it comes to facilities. No other entry has fully-equipped music rooms, recording studios, production facilities, and five performance venues.
RCS’ music programme range is just as flexible. Students can sign up for short, undergraduate, postgraduate, access, and summer courses.
Just prepare for rigorous standards and intensive workloads. This is a prestigious school with a performance-based curriculum and connections with established institutions like Shakespeare’s Globe.
Their standard courses run for several weeks too, meaning tuition is priced accordingly and goes beyond three-digit hourly rates.
Nice Art School
Its a very nice art school that puts on a lot of well priced performances fothe general public. Anyone can buy a ticket to the performances to see what the students are up too.
The students performances range from dramas in play, musical arrangements or flim production. Ive attended on of the pieces put on by a student and was blown away by the quality of artwork they are producting here. Due to the cheap prices of tickets, quality of work on display and the modern take on art and production this is definately worth a visit.
I will visit again
Nystrom Edwards, Google Review
Excellent
I needed to cancel my registration for a Short Course at the Conservatory and the Administrative Staff went above and beyond in helping me. They showed acts of goodwill and ensured I was satisfied with a resolution to my problem. Excellent, student – centered service!
Jared Dixon, Google Review
First Chord Music School
Address: 33 Otago St
Contact Details: +44 7809 442272
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 9 pm
First Chord Music School’s Glasgow-based rates are music to the ears. One-to-one lessons will run you £41.50 per hour, 45-minute group classes are only priced at £20, and large group sessions cost £42.50 a month per student.
What’s sweet is that you’re paying for engaging tutors who follow Trinity and Rockschool syllabi. We’re talking about singers, producers, session musicians, and engineers teaching for over 10 years.
Most importantly, their expertise translates well in classrooms. Both young and young-at-heart students call First Chord’s methods engaging, thoughtful, supportive, and effective.
Where they’re behind is facility count. Sure, the school is in tip-top condition, but larger institutions simply have more goods to offer.
That applies to programme scale as well. Conservatories go further than guitar, bass, ukulele, piano, and vocal lessons (which these singing coaches also focus on).
On the flip side, First Chord offers a free, 30-minute trial, which is quite useful for feeling out a tutor before committing.
Very Patient
As a complete beginner to guitar lessons I can highly recommend First Chord Music School. Tom is very patient, has a lovely manner and gives great advice.
Thank you
Les x
L Graham, Google Review
Excellent Communication
First Chord is eveything you want in music tuition for your child. Thoughtful well planned lessons, excellent communication, safe respectful space, community building, innovative and considerate.
Chelsea, Google Review