Learn to master your instrument from a professional guitarist
35+ Years of Experience
Acoustic, Electric, and Bass Guitar.
Skilled in Jazz, Classical, Rock, Blues, Country.
The best guitar instructor in the DMV. Period.
Meet John Butler
Top Guitar Lessons in the DMV: Personalized Teaching with 35+ Years of Expertise
Guitar Train was established in 2005. It’s founder, John Butler has been teaching and performing for the last 25 years. He is a native Marylander and has lived in Arlington, Virginia for the last 15 years. He studied Classical guitar under the tutelage of John Marlow from American University and Jazz and Classical guitar at Howard University under the direction of Frank Baus and Paul Bollenbach. Mr Butler has taught at many institutions including Mary Washington University, The College of Southern Maryland and Prince Georges Community College.
In addition to his teaching background, Mr. Butler also has an extensive performance background including, playing at such venues as the Kennedy Center, the Austrian Embassy and Wolf trap.
John teaches in a variety of stringed instruments: the acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, ukulele, banjo, and mandolin. He tailors his plans based on your musical interests, whether it be rock, blues, jazz, or classical.
The DMV’s #1 Guitar Teacher
Private, personalized guitar lessons in Arlington.
A true guitar aficionado
John has over 35 years of experience with the guitar from classical to jazz to the blues. His teaching experience has led to the success of hundreds of students.
Student Testimonals
Karen Farris
Terrific guitar instructor with very reasonable rates! John makes you feel quite comfortable, putting you at ease, as one of his students. His fun personality helps learning the material more easily! Yes, I would highly recommend him.
Christine Tyler
John is an amazing teacher! I have always wanted to learn to play guitar, and finally did something about it at 61! John is incredibly patient, and his method of teaching has me actually playing the guitar much earlier in the lessons than I thought! I can’t recommend John Butler more!!
Karen Y
John is amazing! I’ve been taking lessons from him for years and he is a truly gifted instructor. Like all great coaches, he figures out what motivates his students and uses that to coax continuous improvement. He has the patience of a saint and excels at keeping me engaged. I can’t say enough good things about him. 5/5!
Jeanne Hoff
Laura R
I took lessons at Guitar Train with John Butler, and he was a fantastic teacher. He mainly teaches guitar, but I took ukulele lessons from him.
John helped me to learn four songs on the ukulele in about five weeks when I had never played the ukulele before. He had lots of great suggestions about easy ways to learn chords, strumming patterns and how to tune and take care of my uke.
John was patient and clear in his directions — two great qualities to have in a music teacher! If I didn’t understand something, he was easily able to demonstrate it for me until I figured it out.
I highly recommend him!
Kevin C
I’ve always wanted to learn guitar, but never had the time growing up. I always thought it would be a challenge starting as an adult, but John’s patience, proven teaching methods, and great sense of humor gave me a new lifelong hobby.
He truly is the best teacher in the DMV, if you want to learn guitar or other stringed instruments, book him now!
What makes John’s students unique?
With over 35+ years of guitar expertise, John tailors lessons to each student’s unique needs, ensuring a personalized approach that inspires growth and avoids one-size-fits-all methods. He customizes lesson plans, practice routines, and his approach for each student. John has years of professional experience, and has tutored hundreds of students at all ages and levels. That’s what makes him the best guitar teacher in the DMV.
I am a total beginner, can I still learn?
Yes. John teaches complete beginners, from kids to adults to seniors, as well as advanced players and professionals. If you are a parent or student hoping to attend an undergraduate or graduate music school program, John will help you prepare for your audition. His students have been accepted to high school and college music programs.
John provides quality guitar instructions for those interested and willing to learn. He prides himself on meeting the musical needs and goals of every student, whether it be a complete beginner or a more advanced guitarist. Through by step by step instruction, lesson planning and follow up, be assured you that you will have a great experience learning the guitar, and all of the positive attributes that go along with it.
