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We are Austin's oldest Music school, Thank you Austin for 35 years! We have moved accross the street next to Common Interest Karaoke Bar located in the Spectrum Center 8440 Burnet Rd. AGS is now offering an Early enrollment special for our Rock Band Summer Camps. Beat the boredom and keep your skills sharp! Online lessons available from Austin Guitar School instructors 6 days a week Monday-Saturday. Call or email us to signup.
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Since 1987, Austin Guitar School has been the city's premiere spot for learning guitar. Founded by Music Director & owner Ted Hall, through the years AGS has added electric bass guitar, banjo, dobro, lap steel, uke, piano, keyboards, violin, dulcimer, voice, drums & percussion in all of styles, levels and techniques.
If don't live in Austin, just don't have time to travel to us or even if your still in self-quarantine? Lessons can be purchased on our Private lesson page just click and buy, then call or write us to schedule your 1st appointment.
Paul Teaches classic rock, hard rock, metal, alternative, blues, folk, country, fingerstyle and classical. Teaches levels beginner to advanced. Paul Lidel was awarded "Best Guitarist In Austin, TX" in the Edge Magazine 2003 readers poll, and his band "Dangerous Toys" has sold over one million albums worldwide.
Jennifer Sullivan aka the recording artist & performer "Sully Rose" is a highly sought-after musician and music instructor who enjoys working with students of all-ages and levels. An internationally acclaimed recording-performing artist and a published singer-songwriter, she was self-taught from the age of 5 and has studied under world class music industry professionals from coast to coast.
Reviews (10)
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AutumnX
Jun 12, 2020
Ted is a wealth of knowledge and he is an amazing teacher. I started taking some of his online classes, and I learned so many new things. And, he also sends a copy of the video chat for me to hold on to. He has an online school that is easy to use and that assigns me homework to practice. and it meets me where I'm at. Highly recommend taking classes here
Jeff Heinzelman
Feb 07, 2020
Ted runs a great studio and genuinely cares about helping others learn and grow as artists. At AGS I've been working with Paul who has the patience, skill and knowledge to help this old man learn at a pace that is meaningful. I'm playing songs and developing my skills well past my expectations. Don't hesitate to stop by and see what AGS can do for you.
Noah Cranston
Jan 01, 2020
I have ASD or Autism Spectrum Disorder, specifically Asperger's syndrome, the reason I bring this up is because my whole life I've been treated differently and I just want to be viewed as a person, not as a label as people with ASD are often labeled and treated differently because they're different but I didn't get looked down at here, quite the opposite, Ted, Chris and all of the other people here make it feel like my little piece of heaven.

I wanted to pick up guitar because I had quit marching band not because I didn't like music, I just didn't like playing music I wasn't interested in. I looked around for places to go for lessons since I always have been a fan of guitar. My dad found this place, I've been going here for almost 2 years now and the lesson teachers are really nice and Chris, my lesson teacher, asks me every time I walk in the door what I've been listening to or what I want to learn, mainly I go off my list of songs I want to learn but I want to expand my skills a lot so a fair bit of the time I ask to learn some scales or techniques.

The teachers here are committed and they clearly care about their students and how they're doing. Ted is really nice, he even helped me get two guitars with amps, gigbags and cables for less than $700, 2 ibanez' S series guitars, one S6 and an S classic if I'm correct. He set up a deal with two people selling guitars and set it up so the sellers would be at the lesson place an hour before my lesson so I had time to check them out and then test them and see which one I liked more, I couldn't choose either one so I went with both.
Jenine
Jun 18, 2019
Both of my kids have been taking lessons for close to two years and love Austin Guitar School. They've been taught by several instructors and attend a variety of classes - guitar, keyboard, voice, and band. All of the teachers are extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and make lessons fun and engaging for both children and adults. The owner, Ted Hall, always makes time to say hello and does his best to work with parents and students with any scheduling conflicts; and to make sure that teacher and student are a "good fit" for each other.

There is a newly built stage in the back for student band practices, regularly scheduled performances, and jam sessions. Zane and Rufus (two very loving dogs) greet new arrivals and even keep parents and guests company while they wait. I highly recommend Austin Guitar School and all of the teachers to anyone wanting to learn or improve their musical abilities.
Jim Rife
Jan 04, 2019
I see reviews about them working well with kids. Let me address the other end of the tunnel. I'm 61 and have a lot of music experience but not a lot of time on guitar. Ted is extremely flexible in how he approaches teaching - matching it to your understanding of music theory - which makes the lessons extremely useful for more than JUST motivation to practice. Comfortable atmosphere - focused on teaching. Highly recommended.
Sarah Romo De Vivar-Whalen
Dec 04, 2018
My son has been going for about a month and he's really enjoying his lessons with Jesse. After each lesson he's excited to show me what he's learned. We're super happy with the lessons. And while we wait for him, the doggies are a highlight of each visit. They're sweet and playful. My youngest one thinks they're great!
Lisa Fischer
Sep 07, 2018
My 10-year old has been taking lessons at Austin Guitar School with Jesse for over 2 years. Jesse is a wonderful teacher who always makes sure to teach songs that my child is actually interested in learning (lots of Taylor Swift right now). This keeps her interest up and inspires her to practice during the week. Ted Hall, the owner, always makes time for us when we have questions and the wonderful dogs, Zane & Rufus, keep me company while I wait for my daughters lesson. Frequently, visiting with the doggies is the highlight of my day :-)
Stephanie Petreas
Mar 10, 2018
My 7 year old daughter started guitar lessons at Austin Guitar School 6 weeks ago and we couldn't be happier! When I called the school to discuss our options, the owner, Ted Hall, was incredibly friendly and asked me specific questions to get a better understanding of my daughter's needs. He determined that Jennifer Sullivan would be a perfect match.

And let me tell you, she most certainly is! My daughter has responded so well to Jennifer's teaching style. Jennifer is a master at building her confidence and getting her to practice at home. Which is crucial. Jennifer also speaks to me and my husband after every lesson to give us an idea of what was covered in that day's session and what our daughter should focus on when practicing at home. Jennifer also, very wisely, suggested combining some piano lessons along with the guitar lessons and it is VERY clear that this has helped our kid immensely in her understanding of notes and chords.

We will continue to sign our daughter up for lessons as long as she continues to practice and continues learning. Which it's clear will be the case. The whole school has instilled a since of excitement about playing music, and we just couldn't be happier about that! As a side note, I would like to add that I personally love going to the school. Everybody is friendly, kind and extremely helpful.

Three teachers have taken time out of their schedules to work on the (rather crummy) electric guitar my daughter insists on using. They kindly work on that guitar, without hesitation. Plus, who doesn't want to hang out with the two sweetest doggies in town?!
John Welliver
Jun 08, 2017
Ted Hall, who is the owner of AGS, is great to work with and very accommodating. He is dedicated to helping new and experienced players to learn and love playing music. Paul Lidel, my teacher, is FANTASTIC! With me he has used a song based approach to teach me how to play the guitar (I was playing Black Sabbath songs in a week). Paul is extremely patient and has dozens of different of ways to help you move forward if you get stuck on a particular aspect of playing.

I have progressed from playing basic power chords, to full bar chords, syncopated rhythms to solos over the last 3 years, and I am tone deaf with no natural rhythm. If you are looking to learn to play, check Austin Guitar School!
Lisa Roe
Jan 09, 2016
My daughter has taken guitar lessons for a couple of years with Paul Lidel, and we have only good things to say. She likes that he teaches by using songs that she wants to learn and not just practicing chords and scales. She says he's patient and goes into things in depth. She's happy and is steadily improving, so we're happy.