Are there scholarships for guitar players?

I'm passionate about playing guitar and was wondering if there are any scholarships out there specifically for guitarists. Do music scholarships cover instruments like guitar, or are they usually for other instruments? Any leads would be fantastic!

Absolutely! There are indeed scholarships available specifically for guitar players, as well as broader music scholarships that guitarists can apply for.

One prime example is the Fender Music Foundation, which offers scholarships for students pursuing music education. Their scholarships aren't specific to guitarists, but as a guitarist, you can certainly apply for these funds.

The Berklee College of Music also offers scholarships to talented guitarists. They host an annual guitar competition called the "Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Awards" where guitarists can showcase their studio performance or jazz composition skills for a chance to win a scholarship.

Remember, although some music scholarships are instrument-specific, many are not, and various funds are available to music students as a whole. Scholarships like the National YoungArts Foundation or NAfME Collegiate Scholarship are open to all music students, including guitarists.

Before applying, I suggest you do a thorough research of each scholarship's eligibility requirements to make sure it's a good fit for your skill level and career goals. Take note of the application deadlines as well, as these can sneak up on you if you're not careful. Get your application package together in advance so you can focus on perfecting your essays and, possibly, your portfolio or audition.

Lastly, don't overlook local scholarships. There may be smaller, less competitive funds available in your own town or state for music students. Local community foundations, music shops, or even your high school could provide information on these types of opportunities.

Best of luck in your search for music scholarships! Playing guitar is an amazing talent and it's great that you're seeking opportunities to further develop it through higher education.