The Glasgow School of Music · Kinning Park
Guitar Lessons in Glasgow
Build the technique. Understand the music. Find your own way of playing.
Thoughtfully structured one-to-one acoustic and electric guitar lessons for children, teenagers and adults at our Kinning Park school—connecting rhythm, technique and musicianship with the music each student wants to explore.
At a glance
Practical guitar teaching, supported by a wider music school.
Students receive focused one-to-one attention alongside the continuity of an established school: experienced teaching, clear fees, practical instrument guidance and support beyond the weekly lesson.
Begin with the right instrument route.
Musical interests, comfort, age and access to an instrument all help shape the starting point.
Play with understanding.
Chords, rhythm, lead playing and repertoire are connected with listening, theory and fretboard knowledge.
Begin with a genuine lesson.
A paid trial gives the student and tutor a meaningful first experience and a clear basis for the next step.
Who guitar lessons are for
A guitar route shaped around the player and the music.
No two players are drawn to the guitar for exactly the same reason. Lessons respond to age, confidence, experience, preferred style, instrument access and the kind of playing each student wants to develop.
First guitar lessons
Early lessons build confidence, rhythm, coordination, listening, simple chords, basic technique and enjoyment without rushing the student.
Children's routeStyle and motivation
Teenage students can work on songs, rhythm guitar, riffs, lead playing, technique, practice habits and musical independence.
Teen routeStart from the beginning
Adults can build rhythm, chord fluency, coordination and repertoire through a structured route that fits around weekly life.
Adult routeRebuild technique and confidence
Returning guitarists can review timing, fretboard knowledge, technique and repertoire without being forced back to the beginning.
Returning player trialChords, fingerstyle and accompaniment
Acoustic routes may focus on chord vocabulary, strumming, fingerstyle, song accompaniment, rhythm and a clear, controlled sound.
Compare guitar routesRiffs, lead playing and tone
Electric routes may include riffs, lead technique, scales, bends, articulation, rhythm playing and practical control of amplification.
Compare guitar routesWhat happens in guitar lessons
Lessons focus on playing, rhythm, technique and confidence.
Guitar lessons are not only about learning isolated songs. The aim is to help the student understand the instrument, develop secure habits and build confidence through playing.
- Posture, fretting-hand position, picking or strumming technique and sound control.
- Rhythm, pulse, coordination, chord changes, riffs, melody and listening skills.
- Acoustic or electric repertoire chosen around level, age, goals and motivation.
- Practice guidance that fits the student’s age, routine and available time between lessons.
- Reading, theory or optional exam support where useful, without making exams the only measure of progress.
For regular progress, students should normally have access to a suitably sized, playable guitar between lessons. Electric-guitar learners will usually also need a cable and access to a small practice amplifier or suitable headphone-based setup. Where size, type or equipment is uncertain, wait for school guidance before purchasing.
Read Acoustic vs Electric Guitar
Progress
A clearer route from first chords to confident playing.
Progress grows through continuity: regular teaching, consistent practice, carefully chosen repertoire and a developing understanding of rhythm, technique and the fretboard.
Confidence before speed
Beginners need secure foundations: rhythm, coordination, chord shapes, clean sound, simple riffs, listening and a calm relationship with practice.
Technique and fluency
Students build stronger timing, chord changes, strumming or picking control, repertoire, musical memory and independence over time.
Playing with understanding
Theory, reading, fretboard awareness and optional exam preparation can be added where they support the student’s wider progress.
Guitar tutor
Meet James Innes.
James teaches the school’s main guitar route, working with acoustic and electric players across beginner, rhythm, lead and developing musicianship pathways.
With a musical background that has developed from blues towards jazz and study at the University of Glasgow, James brings stylistic breadth to practical teaching—helping students connect chords, rhythm, phrasing and fretboard understanding with the music itself.
The school considers age, experience, goals, musical interests and instrument route when recommending the strongest starting arrangement.
Lesson lengths & fees
Guitar lesson lengths and fees.
Lesson length is recommended around age, level, concentration and goals. Trial lessons use the applicable published standard rate, while ongoing tuition follows the published Teaching Block calendar.
New rates from Monday 10 August 2026: 30 min £30.00, 45 min £39.50, 60 min £49.50.
Start properly
How guitar lessons usually begin.
A trial is a genuine first lesson: time to meet the tutor, explore the instrument in practice and understand the most suitable direction for future study.
Before requesting a guitar trial
Trial lessons are charged at the applicable published standard rate. Tell us who the lesson is for, their guitar experience, instrument access and the times that could support a regular lesson. Any ongoing weekly arrangement is agreed separately after the trial.
Guitar Lessons by Area
Guitar lesson routes across Glasgow and nearby areas.
All in-person guitar lessons take place at our Kinning Park school. Use these regional pages for practical travel and access information.
Pollokshields & Southside
For families and adult learners searching from Pollokshields, Shawlands, Strathbungo and nearby areas.
View RouteCity Centre
For adults, students, professionals and families searching near Central Glasgow and nearby areas.
View RouteWest End
For families, students, professionals and adult learners searching from the West End.
View RouteEast Renfrewshire
For families searching from Newton Mearns, Giffnock, Clarkston, Barrhead and nearby areas.
View RoutePaisley & Renfrewshire
For students travelling from Paisley, Renfrew, Johnstone, Linwood, Erskine and nearby areas.
View RouteEast Kilbride
For families and adult learners searching from East Kilbride and nearby South Lanarkshire areas.
View RouteQuestions
Guitar lesson FAQs.
The essentials only: who lessons are for, where they happen, what students can learn, how fees work and how to start.
Who are guitar lessons at GSofM for?
Guitar lessons are for children, teenagers and adults, including complete beginners, returning players and students developing acoustic, electric, rhythm, lead or musicianship skills.
Where are guitar lessons held?
In-person guitar lessons take place at The Glasgow School of Music, 542 Scotland Street West, Kinning Park, Glasgow, G41 1BZ. Lessons are by appointment only.
Can complete beginners start guitar?
Yes. Early lessons can focus on posture, rhythm, coordination, fretting, picking or strumming, simple chords, riffs and suitable first pieces.
Do you teach acoustic and electric guitar?
Yes. GSofM teaches both acoustic and electric guitar. The starting route can be shaped around age, musical interests, physical comfort, goals and instrument access.
Is acoustic or electric guitar better for a beginner?
Neither is universally better. The right route depends on age, physical comfort, musical interests, goals and instrument access. The school can advise before equipment is purchased.
Does the student need their own guitar?
For regular progress, the student should normally have access to a suitably sized, playable guitar between lessons. Where the correct type or size is uncertain, wait for school guidance before purchasing.
What equipment does an electric-guitar learner need?
Electric learners will generally need a playable guitar, cable and access to a small practice amplifier or suitable headphone-based setup. Requirements can be reviewed during the trial route.
Are guitar exams required?
No. Exams are optional. Reading, theory and qualification preparation can be included where they support the student’s wider playing and musicianship.
How much are guitar lessons?
Guitar lessons use the applicable published standard rate for the selected 30, 45 or 60-minute lesson length. Live rates appear in the fee panel and on the Lesson Lengths & Fees page.
What should I include in a guitar trial request?
Include the student’s age, experience, musical interests, goals, whether they have access to an acoustic or electric guitar, and the times that could support a regular weekly lesson. Trial lessons are paid at the applicable published standard rate.
Who teaches guitar at GSofM?
James Innes teaches the school’s main acoustic and electric guitar route. GSofM considers the student’s age, experience, goals, musical interests and instrument route when recommending the starting arrangement.
What happens after the guitar trial?
After the lesson, GSofM explains the recommended next step. Any ongoing weekly arrangement is then agreed separately, including the tutor, lesson length, regular time and relevant Teaching Block.