Jem Cooper

Hi! I’m Jemma (she/her), a friendly and experienced guitarist and teacher in Sheffield.

I’m a classical guitarist with the heart of a rocker! Who also loves playing bass… I teach from my home studio and at a private music school in Sheffield and have never loved any job as much. If you are interested in learning to play the guitar, I will tailor a programme of lessons to suit you with clearly defined goals along the way. Each lesson is planned to fit within that framework and get you towards your goal. I teach all ages, all styles, electric and acoustic, beginner to advanced.

I have gained valuable experience in education through working as a teaching assistant in primary and secondary schools, and as a learning mentor at Get Sorted Academy of Music in Rotherham. I also spent a few years working with people who have learning disabilities and autism, running music sessions and enabling people to participate and enjoy music. Music is for everyone!
My approach to teaching always begins with finding out where you’re at and what you’d like to achieve. From there I will tailor a programme of lessons to suit your level and with clearly defined goals along the way. Each lesson is planned to fit within that framework and get you towards your goal.

I have a particular love for Classical/Spanish guitar, and fingerstyle playing. The sound of a nylon string guitar is so warm and rich, and even under the banner of ‘Classical’ you can find music written and performed by people from every continent, across hundreds of years of music. Add to that the shimmer and brightness of steel-string acoustic, and a similarly global treasure trove of music, and you’ve got enough to keep you hooked for many lifetimes!

As well as styles and technique, I enjoy teaching sight reading (though it’s by no means a requirement for being a musician), songwriting, music theory, transcribing (figuring songs out by ear and being able to write them down), playing together and jamming – if it’s relevant to you I’ll build it into your lessons. Playing music is one of the great joys in life – get in touch and let’s get started!