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Guitar lessons in Horsforth
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Our Guitar Teachers in Horsforth
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I grew up listening to my dad’s eclectic collection of music containing anything from Black Sabbath, George Duke, Thin Lizzy, Steely Dan, Charles Mingus and many more. Dave Gilmour/Pink Floyd was a huge influence on me wanting to become a guitar player. I was bought my first guitar at age 10 and loved it! I have 12 years of gigging experience in various different styles including jazz, rock, metal, funk and soul. Metal was my first experience of live performance. We won several battles of the band competitions, at 15 years old we won £1000 in a local competition to fund our E.P. At 16 years old we went on to win “Battle for Bloodstock/ Metal to the Masses” at Manchester’s Grand Central. We gigged regularly as “The Threat” at festivals and gigs before attending Leeds College of Music to further progress as musicians. Starting a new project (Slow Loris) with the new skills we acquired from university, we successfully applied for endorsement from “Jazz North” who got us incredible gigs (Vels Trio at Sage Gateshead & many more), support and opportunities to fund our E.P. I studied Jazz for three years and I am proficient in improvisation. My strengths are harmony, advanced rhythms and opening up the fretboard. I will enable you to hone skills in reading notation, approaches to composition, theory and implementing it on the guitar. I can help you formulate structured and efficient approaches to practice to maximise your time. I am very passionate about music and I am keen to share my knowledge and experience to help my students. I am largely self-taught (excluding university) so I can relate to struggling through the challenges of learning an instrument without tuition. All abilities welcome! If it’s fundamentals for beginners such as; open voiced triads, string pitches or even how to hold a pick correctly. If you\’re a more experienced player perhaps; complex rhythms, odd time signatures, re-harmonisation and improvisation. Also, I have been doing high-end weddings and corporate events with “The Rebel Sounds” since graduation and gig most weekends playing in a wide variety of styles. I have 4 year’s worth of experience teaching privately and managed to build from one or two a week to 15 regular students. I have students ranging in ability and age from 11 years – 40+. Every student’s needs are different and tailored. For some, we cover basic fundamentals; (open triads, note names, basic technique, major scale, pentatonic scale and common chord progressions). Others are proficient players and we work on more advanced topics; improvisational techniques, transcriptions, outlining chord changes, chromaticism. Job satisfaction and seeing students progress is by far the most enjoyable aspect of teaching, my goal is to make lessons challenging but most importantly enjoyable! Lessons will be focused on a balance of theory, performance and practicality on the instrument, not just books and academic drudgery. Music Qualifications & Achievements: Leeds College of Music 2014 – 20172:1 Bachelor of Arts Degree (Jazz) ABRSMDistinction Grade 5 Theory 2013 RSLGrade 6 Distinction 2012 Sheena Simon College of Further Education 2011 – 2013DDM Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma I have gigged all over the UK, I’ve played Manchester Academy, Bloodstock Festival, London underground (Camden), Manchester Jazz Festival, Sage Gateshead, Marsden and Lancaster Jazz festival and many more with my own projects. I have done gigs all over the UK and Europe with The Rebel Sounds including a four-week residency at Anthony’s bar St. Anton Salzburg Austria. We have two albums as “Slow Loris” on Spotify, most recently “Sounds Hoof” which were very proud of and “Tickling is Torture”. “The Threat” has the E.P Tectonic movement that came out 10 years ago. It can be found on Soundcloud & Youtube.
Qualifications: Masters Degree in Music from Leeds Conservatoire, BA Degree in Popular Music from Leeds Conservatoire
Qualifications: BA(Hons)Music, Professional Development Certificate/HND, Grade 8 Classical Guitar
I am an open-minded guitar teacher working and gigging around the Leeds with over 10 years playing experience. This spans from gigging nationally and internationally, to recording in studios, to playing in orchestras and large ensembles. I hope to pass on this knowledge to you. You may have never touched a guitar before or perhaps you have a good understanding of the instrument, it doesn’t matter. I can adapt the lesson to fit your needs. My attitude towards teaching is to make sure you are getting as much satisfaction out of the guitar as you can. Music is about enjoyment and we should not lose sight of that. For this reason, I will try to tailor your lesson to fit what you want to get out of the guitar. That could be focusing on technical exercises, reading music, understanding theory and training your ear. Or it could be focused on building up repertoire and playing the music you like to play. I am more than happy to transcribe music of your choice and work through the practical challenges of the music you love. I hope that in future you will be able to apply your understanding of the guitar to any style or genre of your choice. Learn to read and write music, study a wide range of music including Rock, Pop, Jazz and more, understand theory and composition, approach improvisation in different ways, learn effective guitar technique including scales, arpeggios and chords on the fretboard. Learn to play the music you love and have fun! Music Qualifications & Achievements: BA (Hons) Music Performance, First instrument: Guitar ABRSM Grade 6 Piano ABRSM Grade 5 Theory Music GCSE and A Level Further experience and achievements include: Guitarist and contributing composer in 7 piece band Tete de Pois, winners of help musicians funding 2018 First guitarist in the Leeds College of Music Contemporary Jazz Orchestra 2017 Leading my own quartet playing original music as well as other jazz outfits
Early days: Believe it or not, guitar is not my first instrument. I started off on classical piano aged 3 and violin aged 6, passed auditions and exams, played in school orchestras who won competitions and even performed on national TV! However, when I was 10 or 11, all it took was one listen to Linkin Park’s What I’ve Done and watching Green Day music videos on YouTube that got me started on the electric guitar. I love the guitar because it is one of the most versatile instruments that covers a lot of musical genres that I enjoy. Starting from mainstream Pop/Rock, growing into heavy metal, then going back to old-school Jazz & Blues, I have played or continue to play these styles. I also enjoy listening to (and occasionally dabbling in) Funk & Soul, R&B, and neo-soul. Full-time music studies: I came to Leeds in 2015 to study music full-time for six years: two on the Pop Diploma, three on the Jazz degree, and one on the Masters. I fell in love with Jazz after being introduced by my teachers and fellow coursemates to the likes of Charlie Parker and Sonny Rollins going all crazy and bebop on a simple 12-bar blues progression, and Miles Davis’ 1959 Kind of Blue album. Thinking back, it was the wide ranging sounds and sub-genres within jazz (bossa nova, fusion etc) that fascinated me. Up until then I was exploring guitar virtuosos like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Guthrie Govan, having previously been hooked to mainstream pop/rock which were proving a little too commercial and mundane. Jazz provided a way out of that and, to say the least, I was very interested and curious about this art. Full-time teaching: Fast forward to graduation, I simply turned what I loved doing everyday into my working career. I feel very at home and confident in running my private tuition business thanks to prior experience teaching part-time in schools and music centres during my studies which featured different settings, atmospheres and environments. My students have ranged from as young as aged 7 (year 2-3 in primary schools) to aged 70+, from complete beginners who haven’t yet touched a guitar before to advanced players who were accepted onto music degree courses and successfully auditioned into professional session bands in the music industry. On the playing front, I have led my own groups, hosted jam sessions, been a dep for other projects (an industry term for stepping in and covering for other guitarists, usually at short notice!), hired as a player in pit bands backing musical theatre shows, and provided live music entertainment at functions and corporate events.
Qualifications: BA Hons Popular Music Studies, PGCE Secondary Music
Qualifications: MMus Creative Musician, Leeds Conservatoire, LTCL Recital Diploma with Distinction, Trinity College London, Professional Cert of Jazz Guitar, Berklee College of Music, RSL Grade 8 Electric Guitar with Distinction, ABRSM Grade 8 Classical Guitar
I'm Chris, and I've been teaching guitar lessons in Leeds since 2014. When I first started teaching, my students saw guitar practice as "more homework". 11 years later, and my lessons are very different. Instead of lessons being about 'fixing mistakes' that were picked up at home, students have more time to finish learning their music in the lesson. After their lesson, they can go home feeling a sense of achievement, rather than feeling lost or confused. We use interactive play-along tools in lessons, which is much more engaging than learning from a book. They can choose their favourite songs from a huge collection of modern hits & classic tunes. I teach my students the most effective practise methods, so they can start learning songs independently - without needing to be spoon fed by their teacher. All of this together means that students make faster progress on average, and find it easier to practise on their own at home. Learning guitar doesn't need to feel like homework. It can be easy, with the right approach. You don't even need a guitar to get started - we have spare instruments to learn on in lessons. My Cardigan Mills studio space has a free car park, air conditioning, coffee shops nearby, and plenty of space for students. Get in touch to book a free trial lesson today!
About Guitar lessons in Horsforth
Local Horsforth guitar teachers can help you develop technique and repertoire; online lessons are commonly offered.
Many Horsforth teachers teach from home studios, travel locally, or offer online lessons depending on preference.
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Guitar lessons: what to expect
Guitar lessons near you
The best guitar lessons near you aren’t just about distance — they’re about a teacher who helps you progress with clarity. Search by location to find in-person guitar lessons, or choose online lessons to access specialist teachers for acoustic, electric, fingerstyle, rock, or grades.
Who guitar lessons are for
Guitar lessons work for complete beginners, intermediate players, and advanced students. Lessons can be tailored for children, teenagers, or adults returning to guitar — with a focus on the styles and songs you actually want to play.
What you’ll learn in guitar lessons
Most students work on chord fluency, rhythm, strumming feel, scales, finger placement, and repertoire. A good teacher will also structure your practice so you build confidence and technique without getting stuck.
Online vs in-person guitar lessons
Online guitar lessons can be highly effective, especially for busy schedules and specialist tuition. In-person lessons can feel more hands-on and are great if you prefer local support and face-to-face feedback.
A simple learning path for guitar
A good teacher will tailor lessons to your goals — but here’s what progress often looks like.
Learn posture, tuning, chord changes, strumming patterns, and how to practise without building bad habits.
Build a steady sense of timing, expand chord vocabulary (including barre chords), and play full songs with confidence.
Develop picking, fingerstyle, lead basics, improvisation foundations, or exam preparation — depending on your goals.
Getting started: what you need
Keep it simple at first — your teacher can help you choose the right setup.
- Acoustic vs electric: your teacher can recommend what fits your music taste and comfort.
- A tuner + a few picks is enough to start — then add a capo or strap as you progress.
- A simple practice routine beats long sessions: aim for consistency, not intensity.
Styles & goals your teacher can support
Choose a direction — lessons can be tailored around what you actually want to play.
Chord progressions, strumming feel, accompaniment patterns, and building a set of songs.
Riffs, power chords, pentatonic shapes, bends, vibrato, and solo phrasing.
Right-hand patterns, independence, tone control, and arranging songs for solo guitar.
Technique, repertoire, sight-reading or musicianship skills, and a clear practice plan.
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Trust & safety
Parents and students should always feel confident asking about safeguarding, insurance, and lesson policies.
FAQs about guitar lessons in Horsforth
It varies by teacher; some travel locally while others teach from studios or online.
Yes — online lessons are flexible and widely available.
Clear lesson plans, practice guidance, and support for your chosen repertoire.
Many beginners can play simple songs within a few weeks. Consistent practice and guidance from a good teacher help you progress faster and avoid bad habits.
Yes. Guitar lessons are popular with adult learners of all levels, including complete beginners and those returning after a break.
It helps to have your own guitar so you can practise regularly. Your teacher can advise on a suitable beginner acoustic or electric option.
Online lessons work well for many students and can be just as structured as in-person lessons when taught by experienced teachers.
Yes. Many guitar teachers support students preparing for graded exams, helping with technique, repertoire, and practice structure.