Guitar Lessons & Coaching
Structured, high-quality guitar coaching for players who want to improve properly — not just pick things up week to week.
Taught by a PhD researcher in improvisation and Dean of Education at ACM.
I offer guitar lessons in Guildford and online.
With over 20 years of experience across private coaching, education, and performance, lessons are structured to help you make clear, consistent progress.
1-1
1-1 lessons tailored to your needs and aspirations.
ONLINE
Live Zoom Lessons, saving you the commute and offering lessons to students farther afield.
All materials included and available as soon as the lesson finishes.
COACHING
Remote work at your own pace programmes - Ideal for intermediate and advanced students.
Have your progress reviewed through tasks set in the programme.
WHY LEARN WITH ME?
Unique professional experience
I work across performance, education, and professional practice — and that combination shapes how I teach.
I perform regularly in a range of settings, from small ensembles through to larger projects across jazz, contemporary, and commercial work. That experience feeds directly into lessons, whether you’re working towards your first gig, developing your own material, preparing for auditions, or building a project of your own.
Lessons don’t just focus on learning the instrument — they focus on applying it. Playing, performing, and developing as a musician in real contexts, not just practising in isolation.
Alongside this, I bring extensive experience from higher education. I’m Dean of Education at the Academy of Contemporary Music and have worked across a number of UK institutions as a lecturer and consultant. This means I can support students preparing for further study, with a clear understanding of what is expected at degree level and beyond.
I also have experience working with examination frameworks, including roles connected to university assessment and graded pathways. For students working towards grades, this provides clear, informed guidance on how to prepare and perform at a high level.
Students I’ve worked with have progressed into degree study at institutions including the Academy of Contemporary Music and Trinity Laban, as well as into professional performance and teaching careers.
I'm still a student - we all are
I have a strong interest in how musicians learn, and how to make that process as efficient and effective as possible. That comes from my own experience — both as a player and through my academic work in improvisation and musical development.
Lessons focus not just on what to practise, but how to practise.
That includes:
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memorising and retaining repertoire
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connecting theory directly to playing
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developing aural skills to work music out by ear
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structuring practice so your time is used effectively
The aim is simple: to help you become a more independent, capable musician — not someone reliant on being shown what to do each week.
Sessions are always shaped around your goals, but within a clear framework that supports long-term progress.
Complete Support
Lessons don’t start and end with the session.
You’ll have ongoing support, clear materials, and a structure that makes it easy to keep progressing between lessons.
What’s included
Structured, personalised lessons
Every session is shaped around your goals, but within a clear framework built from years of teaching and professional experience. You’ll always know what you’re working on and why.
Comprehensive learning resources
You’ll have access to a large library of materials, including transcriptions, backing tracks, exercises, and supporting content — all used in a way that directly supports your playing.
Shared digital workspace
All lesson material is organised and shared with you online. Everything we cover is available after the session, so you can practise without losing track of ideas or notes.
Ongoing support between lessons
If something isn’t clear, you don’t need to wait until the next session. I’m available by email to help you work through questions and keep things moving.
Instrument access for beginners
If you’re just starting out, you’re welcome to use an instrument in your first lesson. I can also guide you on choosing the right guitar when you’re ready.
What you’ll learn
Lessons are built around developing real musical ability — not just completing exercises.
From the outset, the focus is on playing music, with technique and theory introduced as tools to support that.
Depending on your level, lessons may include:
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technique and control
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chords, progressions, and rhythm
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fretboard knowledge
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improvisation and musical language
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aural skills and learning by ear
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reading and chart interpretation
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composition and songwriting
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repertoire development
Everything is applied directly to real music and real playing situations.
Styles and direction
Lessons can cover a wide range of styles, including jazz, rock, pop, blues, funk, fusion, and more.
You might come in with a clear direction, or no idea at all — both are fine. Part of the process is helping you define that direction and build towards it.
If there’s something specific you want to work on, we can focus on it. If not, I’ll guide you through a structured pathway that develops your playing over time.
Specialisms
While lessons are flexible, areas I work with regularly include:
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improvisation and musical language
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advanced electric guitar technique
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jazz and contemporary styles
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accompaniment and rhythm playing
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sight-reading and working from charts
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composition and arrangement
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exam and audition preparation
Getting started
The best way to begin is with an initial lesson.
This gives you a clear sense of how lessons work and what you’ll be working towards, with no obligation to continue.
Lessons take place in Guildford or online.
Final note
You don’t need to have everything figured out before you start.
You don’t need the perfect instrument.
You don’t need a long-term plan.
You just need to be willing to put the work in and improve.
Drop me a line here, to arrange your first lesson.
The bottom line
I've taught, learned and been obsessed with the guitar for as long as I can remember moving through the role of teacher, performer and student. From everything I've experienced, it boils down to this: there is no other experience quite like the connectivity you get with music. It lets you express yourself, hear things, think and have fun in unique ways. I'm here to help you engage with all of these aspects and guarantee you'll come away thinking about music and enjoying the your progress and development.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
Daniel Goddard
Excellent guitar lessons. I tried a number of guitar teachers previous to Tom but Toms has been the best. He definitely understands what i am hoping to achieve from playing and will teach me what i need to know to reach my goals. I've learnt loads more than i have done previously, my knowledge of guitar music theory and actual technique has improved a lot and i haven't been going to Tom that long. About 3/4 months and would totally recommend him to anyone.
Rowan Hopkins
Aafter a year of jazz-guitar focussed tuition with Tom, he has provided excellent guidance and insight into how to work towards my established goals, with great consistency in communication, lesson content and feedback.
Through detailed, personal lesson plans, I feel that my development within soloing, music theory and thorough ability to transcribe have been massively improved through regular lessons with Tom and I couldn't recommend him more!
William Dunnett
Tom tutored my son up to Grade 8 Classical Guitar, and through his Trinity Diploma. An excellent tutor.