Jazz guitar lessons in Seattle
PRIVATE GUITAR LESSONS IN SEATTLE FOR ADULTS AND SERIOUS STUDENTS
Develop your musicianship through private guitar lessons in Seattle with the professional instructors at Seattle Jazz Academy. While jazz is our specialty, our personalized guitar lessons combine technique, improvisation, music theory, rhythm, and ear training to help you become a more confident and versatile musician. Whether you're beginning your musical journey or refining advanced skills, our private guitar lessons are designed to help you reach your goals while building a strong musical foundation.
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Our experienced guitar instructors guide students step by step as they strengthen technique, deepen their understanding of jazz, and grow as complete musicians. At Seattle Jazz Academy, we believe that studying jazz provides one of the strongest foundations for success across every style of music.
A seattle home for serious
jazz guitar study
Studying jazz guitar at Seattle Jazz Academy happens in three main ways. Our most popular option is private one-on-one jazz guitar lessons in Seattle, where you’re paired with an instructor who helps refine your technique, improvisation, and overall musicianship. The second option is small group jazz guitar classes — a more relaxed environment that’s perfect for players new to jazz who already have some guitar experience. Finally, our students develop their artistry through ensembles, events, jam sessions, masterclasses, and concerts, gaining real-world playing experience in Seattle’s jazz community.
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Whether you’re learning your first blues progression or an experienced guitarist looking to expand your harmonic vocabulary, Seattle Jazz Academy’s jazz guitar program offers the guidance, structure, and inspiration to take your playing to the next level. Come visit us, and let’s talk about where you want your music to go — and how we can help you get there.
Guitar Group Classes
Intro to Jazz and Blues Guitar
Guitar Standards 100
Jazz Guitar Basic Training
An overview of the rhythmic and harmonic language used in jazz. This course focuses on playing melodies, providing accompaniment and improvising on forms including blues, to modal jazz, and vocal standards.
This class focuses on learning and refining four jazz standards. Students prepare tunes by playing iconic renditions of melodies, solos and accompaniment styles while supporting each other in a collaborative environment.
A guided practice towards completing the Level One Guitar Exam. This class focuses on the practice and application of the requisite scales, arpeggios, and chord voicings used in jazz standard repertoire
Play Jazz with Others
Private lessons build your technique. Playing with other musicians is where jazz guitar truly comes to life.
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As your skills develop, Seattle Jazz Academy offers opportunities to join jazz ensembles where you'll learn to comp behind soloists, improvise with confidence, communicate with the rhythm section, and perform with a live band. These experiences develop the listening, timing, and musical interaction that make great jazz guitarists.
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Whether you're preparing for your first jazz combo or looking for a more advanced musical challenge, ensemble playing is one of the most rewarding steps in becoming a well-rounded musician.
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Seattle Jazz Academy Guitar Instructors & Professional jazz guitarists
Alone together
A jazz guitar masterclass with Andrew Friedrich.
Check out an excerpt from a concert and masterclass hosted by our head guitar instructor Andrew Friedrich. This class was recorded in August 2025 by Andrew Friedrich at Seattle Jazz Academy.
Seattle Jazz Academy
8051 Lake City Way NE
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: 2069547712
Email: info@seattlejazzacademy.com
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Seattle Jazz Academy Greenwood
312 N 85th St.
Seattle, WA 98103
Phone: 2069547712
Email: info@seattlejazzacademy.com
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Seattle Jazz Academy serves guitarists from across the Seattle region — Greenwood, Ballard, Shoreline, and beyond. Students come to SJA for focused jazz guitar lessons, expert coaching, and a community built for serious musical growth.