FAQ: Let’s Get in Tune

Clear answers to help you feel confident getting started.

  • We offer private, one-on-one music lessons for a variety of instruments, including:

    Our private lessons typically start for students age 5 and up, and there’s no upper age limit! Whether your child is just starting out or already a seasoned musician, we can find the perfect match.

    Have a little one younger than 5? Well then, we have a class just for them (ages 3-5yrs old)—our Shining Stars program introduces toddlers to music in a fun, playful way!

  • Excluding cello, saxophone, flute, and clarinet, we can usually provide an instrument for your trial lesson. During the trial, your instructor will be happy to help with sizing, brand recommendations, and where to obtain one.

    That said, we generally recommend the following:

    PianoWerkes

    (505) 338-0028

    7410 Washington St NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109

    *Many of our pianos come from PianoWerkes, and we highly recommend working with them—they’re fantastic to work with, helpful, and knowledgeable.

    Robertson & Sons Violin Shop (String instruments only)

    (505) 889-2999

    3201 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

    Baum's Music - rental/purchasing

    (505) 292-0707

    2908 Eubank Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87112

    Music Go Round - buying/selling used instruments

    (505) 875-0100

    7116 Menaul Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110

    Andy’s Ukes in Corrales

    (505) 232-0539

    500 Morning Sun Trail, Corrales, NM 87048

    Village Guitarist (Guitar/Bass/Ukulele/Amps)

    (505) 620-1712

    12220 NM-14, Cedar Crest, NM 87008

  • Getting started is easy! You can call or text us at 505-209-8517 to start the conversation, or fill out our request info form and we’ll reach out to you.

    To schedule your trial lesson, we do ask for a credit card on file, so we’ll always finalize the details with you over the phone.

  • We’re open Monday–Friday from 11 am–8 pm, Saturdays from 9 am–3 pm, and Sundays from 10 am–3 pm. Our instructors’ schedules vary within these hours. We do close for certain holidays and breaks—check out our upcoming closures to plan your lessons!

  • We’re happy to help you find the best fit based on availability, instrument, and teaching style. You can learn more about all of our faculty here—just keep in mind that some instructors may not have openings at the moment. All of our teachers are fantastic, so we’re confident you’ll find someone amazing to work with!

    Whenever you’re ready to get scheduled, just give us a call and we can help you get all set!

  • When we schedule your trial lesson, we aim to find a day and time that works well for both you and the instructor. That way, if you decide to continue, we can set you up for the same day, time, and teacher each week.

    After the trial, you can choose from 30, 45, or 60-minute weekly lessons, which are billed monthly.

  • Yes! We host two large school-wide recitals each year. One at Halloween and one in the summer.

    In addition, we have a small performance hall that seats up to 60 guests, where teachers are welcome to host studio recitals as they see fit.

    Feel free to browse our recital photos here!

  • Our music teachers understand that every student is an individual, with personal musical needs and goals. We make it a priority to tailor how we teach and what we teach to your individual needs.

    If you enroll here for music lessons, your teacher will ask you about your favorite type of music, and set goals to help accomplish whatever musical aspirations you have for yourself or your child. Together, you will develop a plan to achieve your goals! We love beginners, so even if you don't know where to begin, we can help!

  • Our music instructors are highly qualified, all have teaching experience, and most importantly, they have a passion for teaching. Being a musician doesn't automatically make you a teacher--that's why we search for those who are best qualified for mentoring our music students!

    We search all over Albuquerque for the top teachers, who embody the high values at Albuquerque Institute of Music. Most importantly, our instructors strive to relate their teaching to each individual student's learning style. Many of our instructors have gone on performance tours of the USA and Europe and have years of professional performance and teaching experience. In addition to their teaching credentials, our teachers have warm personalities, are extremely friendly, and strive to get to know each student and their parent on a personal level. We search high and low for the BEST teachers, so you don't have to!

  • There is no set answer of how long it takes to learn to play an instrument. With regular practice, a basic level of playing can be accomplished in a few months. Most of our students take lessons on a long term basis because they want to be constantly improving and they find the lessons enjoyable.

  • Yes. Even if you don't have a musical background you can ask the teacher for advice on how to help your child practice. By simply monitoring that they are doing exercises a certain number of times per day the student will progress. Parents will occasionally sit in on their child's music lesson to get an idea of the proper way a song should sound or how the student should be positioning their hands.

  • We teach all styles from rock, pop, jazz, country, worship, blues and classical. We combine the important fundamentals with the music YOU want to play. With all of the teachers at Albuquerque Institute of Music, you are sure to find the best match for YOU.