About me
I've been teaching guitar since 2005 and, over the years, I've had the privilege of working with students of all ages and ability levels—from complete beginners picking up a guitar for the very first time to experienced players looking to refine their technique, expand their musical vocabulary or break through a creative plateau.
My own musical journey has taken me through many different styles and experiences. I've played in both original and cover bands, with most of my performance experience centred around rock and metal, while also spending countless hours exploring blues, jazz, progressive music and country guitar. Although rock and metal remain my biggest passions, I genuinely believe that becoming a great guitarist means staying curious and learning from every style of music. Every genre has something valuable to teach, whether it's the phrasing of the blues, the harmony of jazz, the groove of country or the technical precision of progressive music.
Above all else, I believe that learning guitar should be enjoyable. Progress comes fastest when you're excited to pick up the instrument, so my lessons are built around the music that inspires you. Rather than following a rigid syllabus, I work with each student to create lessons that match their interests and goals—whether that's learning favourite songs, developing improvisation, understanding music theory, writing original music or building the technical skills needed to play with confidence.
Alongside teaching and performing, I’ve worked in the music gear industry and more recently as a guitar technician. I'm passionate about the instruments themselves and enjoy helping students understand how their equipment works. If you're interested, we can explore topics such as guitar setup, maintenance, pickup swaps and electronics, modifying instruments, choosing the right gear, understanding tone, or even planning and building your own custom guitar.
Away from music, I hold a PhD in Biological Chemistry. My scientific background has shaped the way I teach: I enjoy breaking complex ideas down into clear, logical steps that are easy to understand and apply. Whether we're working on technique, music theory or improvisation, my aim is always to make learning accessible, engaging and rewarding.
No matter where you are on your guitar journey, my goal is simple: to help you become a better, more confident musician while making every lesson something you genuinely look forward to.
James Leigh
