GSofM Tutor Profile · Guitar

Guitar lessons with James Innes

James Innes teaches acoustic and electric guitar at The Glasgow School of Music, helping students develop secure technique, rhythm, tone, fretboard understanding and confident musicianship through structured one-to-one lessons.

Acoustic guitarElectric guitarBluesRoots musicContemporary jazzRhythm & phrasing

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About James

A practical guitarist connecting technique, rhythm and contemporary musicianship.

James combines focused instrumental detail with an interest in how rhythm, harmony, tone and style work together.

James is a guitarist and music student at the University of Glasgow. His musical interests developed from blues and roots music towards contemporary jazz guitar, giving his teaching a useful bridge between accessible guitar foundations and wider musicianship.

At GSofM, James supports the school’s main acoustic and electric guitar route. Lessons are shaped around the student’s experience, interests and goals, with technique taught as part of real musical playing rather than as an isolated exercise.

Students can work on rhythm, chord vocabulary, picking and fretting coordination, tone, phrasing, fretboard awareness and purposeful practice. Where appropriate, lessons may also explore improvisation, stylistic detail and the musical ideas behind the songs being studied.

Role: Guitar tutor at The Glasgow School of Music
Current study: Music at the University of Glasgow
Instruments: Acoustic and electric guitar
Musical interests: Blues, roots music and contemporary jazz guitar
Lesson focus: Technique, rhythm, tone, phrasing, fretboard knowledge and musicianship
Student routes: Children, teenagers and adults, subject to tutor matching

Teaching approach

Technique connected to sound, style and musical purpose.

The strongest foundations help a student play real music more comfortably, accurately and expressively.

Secure foundations

Early work can establish comfortable posture, tuning, fretting, picking or strumming, clean chord changes and a dependable pulse.

Efficient hand position
Coordination and control
Useful practice habits

Rhythm, tone and phrasing

Students learn to listen to the quality and timing of what they play, not only whether the correct notes are present.

Groove and rhythmic accuracy
Articulation and dynamics
Confident musical phrasing

Fretboard and musicianship

Chords, riffs, scales and songs can become a route into fretboard awareness, harmony, improvisation and independent learning.

Chord and scale relationships
Listening and musical context
Creative application

Lesson routes

Acoustic and electric guitar tuition shaped around the student.

The instrument and repertoire may differ, but both routes develop coordination, timing, listening and musical independence.

Acoustic guitar

Suitable for students working on chord playing, strumming, fingerstyle foundations, song accompaniment, rhythm and a clear controlled sound.

Electric guitar

Suitable for riffs, lead and rhythm playing, tone control, articulation, stylistic vocabulary, improvisation and ensemble-aware playing.

Beginner to developing

Complete beginners can establish sound foundations, while developing players can refine technique and deepen their understanding of style and musicianship.

Tutor matching: a request for James can be noted, but placement depends on the student’s age, level, aims, lesson length and weekly availability.

Connected learning

Useful next steps for guitar students.

Explore the main lesson route, supporting musicianship and how tuition works at GSofM.

Primary routeGuitar Lessons

Acoustic and electric guitar tuition for children, teenagers and adults in Glasgow.

Musicianship routeMusic Theory

Develop notation, rhythm, harmony and a clearer understanding of how music is organised.

Wider routesAll Music Lessons

Explore the full GSofM lesson directory and connected instrumental and musicianship routes.

New to guitar? Read What to Expect in Your First Guitar Lesson for the first appointment, or compare Acoustic vs Electric Guitar for Beginners before choosing an instrument route.

Guitar lessons with James Innes.

The trial process helps GSofM confirm the most suitable tutor, instrument route and weekly lesson arrangement.

Does James teach complete beginners?

Yes. Complete beginners can request lessons with James and work on tuning, posture, fretting, picking or strumming, rhythm, first chords and effective practice habits. Final tutor placement depends on suitability and availability.

Does James teach both acoustic and electric guitar?

Yes. James teaches acoustic and electric guitar. The lesson route is shaped around the instrument the student plays, their musical interests and the skills they need to develop.

Can children, teenagers and adults request lessons with James?

Yes. Children, teenagers and adults can request guitar lessons through GSofM. Tutor matching considers age, current level, goals, lesson length and weekly availability.

What styles can students explore?

James’s interests include blues, roots music and contemporary jazz guitar. Repertoire is selected according to the student’s level and goals, with musical skills developed in a stylistically informed way.

Can lessons include music reading, theory or improvisation?

Yes, where useful. Lessons can connect guitar playing with rhythm, notation, chord and scale relationships, fretboard understanding, listening and improvisation according to the student’s aims.

Does a student need their own guitar?

A suitable instrument is needed for regular home practice. If the student does not yet have one, tell GSofM when requesting a trial so the school can advise on an appropriate acoustic or electric guitar route.

Can James support exams or performance goals?

Where suitable, lessons can support repertoire, technical development, musical interpretation and performance confidence. Any exam-board or performance goal should be included in the trial request so the route can be reviewed properly.

How do I start guitar lessons with James?

Request a trial guitar lesson and include the student’s age, experience, instrument, musical interests, goals and general availability. GSofM will review the information before confirming the most suitable available tutor route.