Guitar in Music Education: A Review of the Literature

Guitar is a highly visible instrument in contemporary musical life, yet its role in school music programs has historically been inconsistent and contested. This review of literature synthesizes research on guitar in music education (1,353 sources), examining pedagogical approaches, curriculum and program design, teacher preparation, student outcomes, and issues of access, creativity, and cultural relevance. Sources include theses, dissertations, peer-reviewed and practitioner journals, books, and edited volumes drawn from music education, ethnomusicology, and related fields, with attention to international and culturally diverse contexts. Across the literature, guitar instruction is shown to align closely with student-centered, collaborative, and culturally-responsive pedagogies, often bridging formal and informal learning through peer learning, improvisation, composition, and popular and global repertoire. Researchers have suggested that guitar-centered programs can expand participation, support equity, and enhance engagement for students underserved by traditional ensemble models. Implications for classroom practice, teacher education, and future research are discussed.