The Glasgow School of Music Tutor Profile
James Innes
Guitar Tutor
James Innes is a guitarist, musician and lifelong student of music, currently studying at the University of Glasgow. His musical interests span blues, roots music and contemporary jazz guitar, giving him a broad and practical approach to guitar performance, practice and musical development.
About James
A practical, musician-led approach to guitar tuition.
James brings a wide musical outlook to his teaching, drawing from blues, roots music and contemporary jazz guitar. This gives his lessons a flexible musical foundation, supporting students who want to build technique while also developing style, confidence and musical awareness.
His approach places strong emphasis on the finer details of guitar playing: tone, rhythm, phrasing, coordination, practice habits and the physical control needed to play with confidence. Rather than treating guitar as a purely mechanical skill, James helps students connect technique with musical expression.
At The Glasgow School of Music, James teaches students who want structured one-to-one guitar lessons with clear musical direction. His teaching is well suited to learners developing their foundations, as well as students beginning to explore blues, roots-influenced playing, contemporary guitar styles and broader musicianship.
Teaching Style
Lessons built around detail, confidence and musical purpose.
James’s teaching focuses on helping students understand the instrument clearly, practise effectively and develop a strong musical relationship with the guitar.
Strong technical foundations
Students are supported with the core skills needed to play with control, including fretting-hand coordination, picking, rhythm, tone and clean movement across the instrument.
Musical detail
James gives close attention to the small details that shape convincing guitar playing, including phrasing, timing, articulation, sound quality and stylistic awareness.
Practical development
Lessons are designed to help students make real progress between sessions, with clear practice aims and musical material that supports confidence and long-term improvement.
Good guitar tuition should help students understand how the instrument works, how to practise with purpose and how to build a sound that feels musical, confident and personal.
Guitar Lessons with James
A clear route from first steps to confident playing.
Guitar lessons at The Glasgow School of Music are arranged one-to-one, allowing the tutor to shape the lesson around the student’s level, goals, musical interests and pace of development.
Start with the student’s current level
The first stage is to understand the student’s existing experience, musical interests and confidence level, whether they are a complete beginner or already playing independently.
Build practical guitar technique
Lessons can include chord work, rhythm, picking technique, fretboard familiarity, tone, coordination and musical fluency, depending on what the student needs most.
Connect technique with music
Students are encouraged to apply technical skills through real musical material, helping them understand how guitar playing works in context rather than in isolation.
Develop confidence over time
Ongoing lessons support steady progression, better practice habits and a more confident musical identity on the instrument.
Request a Trial Lesson
Interested in guitar lessons with James?
Request a paid trial guitar lesson at The Glasgow School of Music. We will review availability, student level and lesson goals before confirming a suitable lesson time.
