Close-up of a hand fretting the strings of an acoustic guitar

Adults only · One-to-one

Adult Guitar Lessons That Start With Your Goals.

Whether you're picking up a guitar for the first time or have been playing for years, we'll focus on what will actually move you forward — with clear direction on what to practise, how to practise it and why.

Free guide · PDF

Guitar Practice for Adults

Make your practice time count. Learn how to plan what you work on, solve problems when you get stuck, and keep moving towards what you want to play.

The front cover of the Guitar Practice for Adults guide14 pages · PDF · emailed to you

Get the Guide

Enter your details and I'll email you the guide, then give you a ring to talk through your goals and what a practice plan for you would look like.

Fields marked * are required.

See our Privacy Policy for how we handle your information.

What adults tell me

Sound Familiar?

Some of the questions and concerns I often hear from adults before they start. Tap any thought to see what I'd say about it.

The good news

You Can Learn to Play Guitar.

You don't need hours every day or some special musical gift. People start in different places, but musical skills can be developed.

  1. Make time for it

    Give guitar a realistic, regular place in your week.

  2. Know what you're working towards

    A clear goal helps decide what deserves your attention.

  3. Learn how to practise effectively

    Have a plan, learn how to work through problems, and adjust when something isn't working.

That's what every lesson is built to give you.

Inside a lesson

How Lessons Work

Every lesson follows the same six stages. At first, I'll give you more guidance on what needs work and how to practise it. Over time, the aim is for you to get better at recognising those things and making more of those decisions yourself. When you start something unfamiliar, I'll step in and give you more guidance again.

Start with what you want to play

What you are actually aiming at

We start by getting specific about what you want to achieve. The clearer the goal, the easier it is to work out what you need to learn, what to practise, and what progress towards it actually looks like.

For example

“I just want to get better at guitar.”

The first step is defining what “better” actually means to you. Instead of “I want to get better”, we might arrive at:

“I want to be able to play five songs I love from start to finish along with the original recordings.”

Now we have something specific we can work towards.

Why me

Experience You Can Trust.

300+

Students Taught

More than 300 students taught through one-to-one lessons and group classes.

8

Years Teaching

Teaching guitar since 2018, working with students across different ages, levels and musical goals.

1st Place Awards

First place in the Bridget Doolan Award and two Feis Ceoil classical guitar competitions.

1st

Class Honours

BA (Hons) in Music, with classical guitar performance as a major and composition as a minor.

Before you book

Progress Happens Between Lessons.

You'll Know What to Do

You won't leave a lesson with a vague instruction to “practise more”.

You'll know what to work on, how to work on it, why we're doing it, and what progress should look or sound like.

You Do the Work Independently

Between lessons, you take what we've worked on and put it into practice yourself.

The plan should be clear enough that you know what to do without needing me beside you.

If You Get Stuck, Ask

Don't spend two weeks practising something you're not sure you're doing correctly.

Send me a quick message. If I can clear it up with a message or short video, I will. If it needs more time, we'll deal with it properly in the next lesson.

We'll Work With What Actually Happened

Didn't practise? Managed three days rather than five? Something turned out much harder than expected? That's useful information.

At the next lesson, we'll look at what worked, what didn't and what needs to change. If the plan didn't fit your week, we'll adjust it.

Practice

How Regular Practice Adds Up

You don't need hours every day. Short, focused practice sessions spread across the week can add up to a meaningful amount of time on the guitar.

  1. One practice session

    15–30minutes

    A focused session with a clear purpose.

  2. One week

    4–5days

    Enough regular practice to keep things moving forward.

  3. One month

    15–20sessions

    Small sessions start to add up.

  4. Over time

    6+months

    Enough repetition to build real skills and work towards the things you want to play.

Longer term

100 Practices

A simple way to see your practice adding up.

At the start of a longer-term goal, write down what you're working towards. Each day you practise, mark one box — whether you had five minutes or an hour.

There's nothing magical about the number 100. It's simply far enough away to give you a meaningful milestone to work towards and enough time to see what consistent practice can do.

By the time you reach it, the aim isn't just to have filled 100 boxes. It's to be able to look back at where you started, what you can do now, and how much your playing has changed along the way.

Download the 100 Practices sheet

The long view

Lessons Don't Have to Be Forever

Regular practice is a commitment, particularly when you're fitting guitar around work, family and everything else.

That's why I often recommend giving lessons and practice a proper period of focus rather than assuming you need to take lessons continuously for years.

Give yourself a period of focused, consistent practice towards something you genuinely want to achieve. When you reach that goal, it can be a good time to pause, enjoy what you've learned and simply play.

When there's something new you want to achieve — and you're ready to make regular space for guitar again — you can come back and work towards the next goal.

What you'll play

What Do You Want to Play?

Whether you're interested in acoustic, electric or classical guitar, the music you want to play helps shape the lessons.

Rock, pop, folk, blues, classical and more

The style you enjoy helps decide which songs, techniques and skills we focus on.

  • Acoustic guitar

    Songs, strumming, accompaniment, fingerstyle and solo arrangements.

  • Electric guitar

    Riffs, rhythm guitar, lead playing, improvisation and technique.

  • Classical guitar

    Classical repertoire, technique, reading and interpretation.

What you'll learn

Skills We Can Develop

What we work on depends on what you want to play, but the same broader areas come up across acoustic, electric and classical guitar.

  • Technique

    Develop the control and coordination needed to play cleanly, comfortably and reliably.

  • Rhythm and timing

    Develop a strong sense of pulse, rhythm and timing, whether you're strumming chords or playing individual notes.

  • Fretboard knowledge

    Understand where notes, chords, scales and patterns are across the guitar.

  • Music theory

    Understand how the music you're playing works — chords, keys, scales, harmony and how they connect.

  • Playing by ear

    Learn to recognise and work out notes, melodies, chords and other parts of the music you hear.

  • Reading music

    Learn to read standard notation where it supports what you want to do.

  • Musical expression

    Work on dynamics, articulation, phrasing, tone and the details that turn the right notes into music.

  • Learning and practising effectively

    Learn how to break music down, solve problems and practise efficiently when something isn't working.

In their words

What Students Say

A few words from students I've worked with over the years.

James is a great guitar teacher. It is easy to schedule a lesson with him. He is always very encouraging, positif, and knowledgeable. Each lesson is good fun!
Sandrine R.
James is a lovely teacher, very patient and encouraging. I was very nervous starting guitar at my age but I needn't have worried. I really enjoy the lessons and would highly recommend him.
Mary K.
Really knowledgeable teacher and a sound lad as well. I've played guitar for years but was stuck playing the same stuff over and over. Lessons have given me a bit of direction again and I'm enjoying playing much more.
Conor M.
I started lessons as a complete beginner and James has been so patient with me. Everything is explained very clearly and there is never any pressure if something takes me a bit longer to get. Delighted with the progress I've made.
Anne P.
Excellent guitar teacher. Very knowledgeable, patient and easy to get on with. Highly recommended.
Patrick D.
I'd been trying to learn from YouTube for ages and had loads of bits and pieces but no real idea what I should be working on. James helped me put a proper structure on it. I know what I'm practising now and, more importantly, why I'm practising it.
Órla O'S.
I returned to the guitar after the best part of 30 years. James has been extremely patient and helpful and has tailored the lessons to the type of music I enjoy. I look forward to the lesson every week.
John W.
Such a nice and patient teacher! I was SO nervous before my first lesson 😂 but it was completely relaxed. James makes everything feel very manageable and never makes you feel stupid for asking a question.
Aoife R.
James knows his stuff. If I'm having trouble with something he doesn't just tell me to keep practising it, he'll figure out exactly what's causing the problem and give me something specific to work on. That has probably been the biggest difference for me.
Michael B.
Only sorry I didn't start sooner. Great teacher and a gent.
Ger C.
I have been going to James for guitar lessons for several months now and find him very patient and accommodating. He takes the time to explain things properly and the lessons are always enjoyable. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Elaine F.
What I like is there's no messing around. We figure out what I want to get better at and that's what we work on. I leave with a clear idea of what I need to do before the next lesson. Simple but very effective.
Shane K.
My husband bought me a guitar years ago and it spent more time in the corner of the room than being played 🙈 Finally decided to get lessons and I'm so glad I did. James is incredibly patient and makes the lessons good fun. I'm actually playing songs now!
Deirdre M.
Very good teacher, and honest too. I appreciate that James will tell me when I need to spend more time on something rather than just moving me on for the sake of it. Equally, if something isn't working he'll find another way around it. I've learned a lot from him.
Tom O'B.
I came in thinking I had loads of bad habits from teaching myself and honestly I did 😂 But there was never any judgement about it. We just started fixing things one at a time. My playing feels much more comfortable now and I don't feel like I'm fighting the guitar anymore.
Sarah L.
I am in my 60s and had never played guitar before. James assured me from the beginning that this wasn't an issue provided I was prepared to practise. I have found him to be an excellent and very patient teacher and am very pleased with how I am progressing.
Martin R.
James is brilliant. Patient, kind, ridiculously knowledgeable and always happy to explain something a different way if I'm not getting it. Lessons are really relaxed as well which makes a huge difference.
Ciara N.
Started with James after a few failed attempts at learning guitar myself. I'm still no Eric Clapton 😂 but for the first time I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere. Couldn't recommend him enough.
Declan H.
I was apprehensive about taking lessons as an older beginner but James immediately put me at ease. He is a very kind and patient young man and an excellent teacher. The lessons are always conducted at a pace that suits me and I never feel rushed.
Margaret C.
Had a couple of teachers over the years and James is easily the best fit I've found. Very practical approach, knows a serious amount about music but doesn't drown you in theory you don't need. Everything we're doing has a reason behind it.
Eoin B.
Great teacher! Really friendly, flexible and easy to deal with. I've had to move lessons around a couple of times because of work and James has always been very accommodating. More importantly I'm actually getting better at guitar 😄
Laura K.
Five stars from me. James is knowledgeable, patient and very professional.
Paul M.
I think the biggest thing for me has been confidence. I used to stop every time I made a mistake and convince myself I couldn't play the song. James has helped me get out of that habit and I'm enjoying the guitar so much more now.
Sinéad D.
Very easygoing lessons but there's always a plan. That's probably the best way I can describe it. Never feels like school but you're definitely there to learn something.
Kevin T.
I cannot speak highly enough of James. He has endless patience! I am certainly not the quickest learner but he never makes me feel that I am holding things up. He is always encouraging and I come away from each lesson looking forward to practising what we have covered.
Bríd O'N.
James is a great guitar teacher. It is easy to schedule a lesson with him. He is always very encouraging, positif, and knowledgeable. Each lesson is good fun!
Sandrine R.
James is a lovely teacher, very patient and encouraging. I was very nervous starting guitar at my age but I needn't have worried. I really enjoy the lessons and would highly recommend him.
Mary K.
Really knowledgeable teacher and a sound lad as well. I've played guitar for years but was stuck playing the same stuff over and over. Lessons have given me a bit of direction again and I'm enjoying playing much more.
Conor M.
I started lessons as a complete beginner and James has been so patient with me. Everything is explained very clearly and there is never any pressure if something takes me a bit longer to get. Delighted with the progress I've made.
Anne P.
Excellent guitar teacher. Very knowledgeable, patient and easy to get on with. Highly recommended.
Patrick D.
I'd been trying to learn from YouTube for ages and had loads of bits and pieces but no real idea what I should be working on. James helped me put a proper structure on it. I know what I'm practising now and, more importantly, why I'm practising it.
Órla O'S.
I returned to the guitar after the best part of 30 years. James has been extremely patient and helpful and has tailored the lessons to the type of music I enjoy. I look forward to the lesson every week.
John W.
Such a nice and patient teacher! I was SO nervous before my first lesson 😂 but it was completely relaxed. James makes everything feel very manageable and never makes you feel stupid for asking a question.
Aoife R.
James knows his stuff. If I'm having trouble with something he doesn't just tell me to keep practising it, he'll figure out exactly what's causing the problem and give me something specific to work on. That has probably been the biggest difference for me.
Michael B.
Only sorry I didn't start sooner. Great teacher and a gent.
Ger C.
I have been going to James for guitar lessons for several months now and find him very patient and accommodating. He takes the time to explain things properly and the lessons are always enjoyable. I would have no hesitation in recommending him.
Elaine F.
What I like is there's no messing around. We figure out what I want to get better at and that's what we work on. I leave with a clear idea of what I need to do before the next lesson. Simple but very effective.
Shane K.
My husband bought me a guitar years ago and it spent more time in the corner of the room than being played 🙈 Finally decided to get lessons and I'm so glad I did. James is incredibly patient and makes the lessons good fun. I'm actually playing songs now!
Deirdre M.
Very good teacher, and honest too. I appreciate that James will tell me when I need to spend more time on something rather than just moving me on for the sake of it. Equally, if something isn't working he'll find another way around it. I've learned a lot from him.
Tom O'B.
I came in thinking I had loads of bad habits from teaching myself and honestly I did 😂 But there was never any judgement about it. We just started fixing things one at a time. My playing feels much more comfortable now and I don't feel like I'm fighting the guitar anymore.
Sarah L.
I am in my 60s and had never played guitar before. James assured me from the beginning that this wasn't an issue provided I was prepared to practise. I have found him to be an excellent and very patient teacher and am very pleased with how I am progressing.
Martin R.
James is brilliant. Patient, kind, ridiculously knowledgeable and always happy to explain something a different way if I'm not getting it. Lessons are really relaxed as well which makes a huge difference.
Ciara N.
Started with James after a few failed attempts at learning guitar myself. I'm still no Eric Clapton 😂 but for the first time I actually feel like I'm getting somewhere. Couldn't recommend him enough.
Declan H.
I was apprehensive about taking lessons as an older beginner but James immediately put me at ease. He is a very kind and patient young man and an excellent teacher. The lessons are always conducted at a pace that suits me and I never feel rushed.
Margaret C.
Had a couple of teachers over the years and James is easily the best fit I've found. Very practical approach, knows a serious amount about music but doesn't drown you in theory you don't need. Everything we're doing has a reason behind it.
Eoin B.
Great teacher! Really friendly, flexible and easy to deal with. I've had to move lessons around a couple of times because of work and James has always been very accommodating. More importantly I'm actually getting better at guitar 😄
Laura K.
Five stars from me. James is knowledgeable, patient and very professional.
Paul M.
I think the biggest thing for me has been confidence. I used to stop every time I made a mistake and convince myself I couldn't play the song. James has helped me get out of that habit and I'm enjoying the guitar so much more now.
Sinéad D.
Very easygoing lessons but there's always a plan. That's probably the best way I can describe it. Never feels like school but you're definitely there to learn something.
Kevin T.
I cannot speak highly enough of James. He has endless patience! I am certainly not the quickest learner but he never makes me feel that I am holding things up. He is always encouraging and I come away from each lesson looking forward to practising what we have covered.
Bríd O'N.

Lessons and Pricing

Lessons & pricing

60

per one-hour lesson

  • Weekly

    Every week

    For students who can make a consistent time commitment to guitar each week.

    Weekly lessons give you regular feedback and direction, with enough practice between lessons to keep building from one week to the next.

    10-lesson block

  • Recommended

    Fortnightly

    Every 2 weeks

    The best fit for most adult students.

    A fortnight gives you more time to fit meaningful practice around work, family and everything else that comes with adult life, while still having a regular lesson to keep your playing moving in the right direction.

    5-lesson block

  • Flexible

    When it suits

    For students who can't commit to a regular lesson time.

    Book individual lessons from whatever times are available, without committing to a regular slot. Availability varies, with recurring students having priority on regular lesson times.

    Single lessons

Ready to Get Started?

Book a short call to talk through where you're at, what you'd like to achieve and which lesson option would suit you.

Contact