Guitar lessons in Reading
Learn guitar in Reading with experienced local teachers — lessons available in person or online.
Teachers near Reading
Browse a few nearby teachers to get started — or search again above to refine.
I have been playing acoustic and electric guitar for over 30 years spanning a wide range of styles and techniques, with a particular devotion to indie, rock and fingerstyle technique. Music and guitar are my passion, and have led me to meet and play with some very talented guitarists and perform live gigs in central London to hundreds of people. I am always keen to pass on my enthusiasm, experience and skills to others. I thoroughly enjoy working with all my students and take great pleasure from seeing them grow ,both in skill and confidence. Learning guitar is challenging yet extremely rewarding, builds confidence, character and ultimately great fun! I teach absolute beginners to intermediate level players, acoustic or electric, and in any style you wish to learn, and have a particular passion for indie, rock, fingerstyle and creating original compositions. Teaching over 750 lessons per year with my current students range from 6 year old to 81 years old, both locally and internationally (including Spain, Portugal, German, Türkiye and Scotland) from beginners to guitarists performing in bands. With each lesson bespoke to each individual, including personalised student learning packs and original learning content. My approach is to focus on learning a song you love from the outset. We will develop technique, chords, scales and much more within the context of learning to play songs you are passionate about and are motivated to learn.
My name is Michael Semark (Mike). I've been playing guitar for over 10 years and teaching privately and at a small music school in Reading since 2022. I am confident in teaching a diverse range of styles, from singer/songwriter-folk music on acoustic guitar to rock and metal on electric guitar, and am passionate about helping my students achieve their musical goals. I teach all levels, from absolute beginners (age 5+, unless requested otherwise, please get in touch!) to advanced guitarists (grade 8+, or any rock/metal/pop/jazz specialists, again, please get in touch!), and am confident in helping my students find their own unique voice on the instrument. I also teach music theory if you are interested in understanding the underlying mechanics behind music, as well as improvisation and composition, and ways to memorise and make sense of the guitar fretboard. I am DBS certified and a member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors, and have taught over 2000 lessons to hundreds of students over the years. I also currently hold a 100% merit/distinction rate for students who are taking their Rockschool (RSL Awards) grade and/or performance exams. I'm currently based in Basingstoke, Hampshire, and teach private 1-on-1 lessons from my teaching space at home; my main space is upstairs, but I can teach downstairs if you have accessibility requirements. I can also teach online via Zoom if required. If you are in a band/duo or are interested in group lessons, please get in touch, as I can accommodate if required. Feel free to contact me if you need any more information (michael.semark@gmail.com).
I am a Guitar and Ukulele teacher with over 39 years teaching experience based in the Slough, Windsor, Maidenhead area. I currently live and work in Cippenham, Slough. I began teaching the Guitar professionally in early February 1986, after a two-year stint as Guitarist for Slough-based Indie Pop band 'Fear of Falling'. From that time to the present, I have taught many students of all ages (typically between 7 years to 60+), both male and female, teaching from absolute beginners, through the intermediate stages, to advanced players, using a wide variety of musical styles and techniques, including classical, steel-string acoustic and electric guitar. I also teach the electric Bass guitar. I teach those who wish to learn “just for fun”, as well as tutoring those who are working towards their grade exams, typically for Trinity, ABRSM or Rock School. I mainly prefer to teach on a one-to-one basis, however, I have also taught student groups of up to around 15 students in an adult education setting. I have taught regularly in both state and private local schools as a private visiting peripatetic guitar tutor, including supporting students who are preparing for their GCSE Music or BTEQ Music exams. Schools where I have previously taught include - James Elliman School (Slough), Burnham Grammar, Maltmans Green (Gerrards Cross), Langley Academy and Eton End School. I have also worked as a guitar teacher for the Bucks County Council as an Adult Education Tutor, taught a complete beginner group for Mars (UK), and I helped set up Guitar groups for Microsoft, and regularly taught the guitar at Microsoft’s (UK) in Reading.
About guitar lessons in Reading
Find guitar lessons in Reading whether you want beginner lessons or advanced coaching — many teachers also provide online lessons.
Reading teachers often teach from home studios, travel locally, or offer online lessons depending on preference.
Find professional teachers with clearer trust signals — and inquire in minutes.
Guitar lessons: what to expect
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.
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.
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 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.
Browse guitar lessons by location
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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 Reading
It varies by teacher; some travel locally while others teach from studios or online.
Yes — online lessons are widely available and flexible.
Look for clear teaching plans, suitable experience, and good communication.
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.