Local guitar tuition
Guitar lessons in Northumberland and the Scottish Borders
Local guitar lessons—based in Berwick-upon-Tweed—are structured to be accessible for both beginners, intermediate and experienced students wanting to learn either the classical, acoustic or electric guitar with a qualified local guitar tutor. In each style of playing the student will learn the fundamentals of understanding and creating rhythm, chord shapes, the ability to read music/tab and be able to interpret the music both as a solo player and with a backing track across a wide range of genres, such as classical, rock, blues and folk music.
In addition, opportunities are also available to progress with popular music boards such as the ABRSM and Trinity College, with guitar students of Morrison Music Tuition achieving a 100% pass rate during exams. Specific learning techniques for the guitar are outlined below, as are answers to common queries about learning to play the guitar with a local music tutor.
Classical guitar lessons
- With your local guitar teacher providing advice, learn to sit in the classical position, with correct posture to avoid back pain and positioning of the right and left hand to allow smooth and expressive playing.
- Correct right hand technique, such as alternation of index and middle fingers, rest strokes to enhance the melody, tremolo, string planting and arpeggios.
- Correct left hand technique including barring, finger independence, ornamentation and harmonics.
Acoustic guitar lessons
- Holding a plectrum and developing specific techniques essential for effective acoustic playing, such as alternate picking and sweep picking.
- Your guitar tutor will help you to focus on rhythm, both on plectrum direction and common rhythmical techniques such as ghost strumming and syncopation.
- Popular styles of playing such as carter style, flat picking, Travis picking and popular finger style patterns.
Electric guitar lessons
- Playing lead solos using left hand techniques such as string bending and palm muting.
- Power chords and the importance of dampening strings when using distortion to create effective riffs and licks.
- Your local guitar teacher will show you how to construct an improvised solo based around the CAGED system using backing tracks.
Guitar student testimonial
“My son Ezra has enjoyed classical guitar lessons with Wayne Morrson. He enjoys the variation in material and has progressed markedly in his classical guitar playing. He helped him pass Grade 3 with distinction and is currently working towards Grade 4. ”
Malcolm Kerr
Common guitar lesson queries
Discover how you can learn to play the guitar with a local tutor
Can I learn the guitar playing the music I want to play?
Certainly. For every genre of music there are songs whereby necessary chord shapes, chord progressions and fingerpicking patterns can be learnt. In this way the guitar lessons can be tailored to you and make the learning experience fun and rewarding.
What style of guitar is suitable for me?
The guitar lessons are structured so you can experience different genres and styles and so discover which guitar style you find most interesting and rewarding. For example if you enjoy playing lead solos on the electric guitar,
fingerpicking and rhythmical strumming on the acoustic guitar or the technical demands of the classical guitar either of these can be explored further
Which first guitar should I purchase?
An ideal instrument for learning is a classical guitar, as it has a wide neck and nylon strings that are more easy on the fingers. Also the classical guitar can still be used for fingerpicking, strumming and playing simple lead solos with the plectrum. An acoustic guitar is also suitable, but does have a narrow neck and less forgiving steel strings.
Can guitar music tuition help me pass a music exam?
Yes. Morrison Music Tuition teaches a wide range of ages, from young children to senior adults, with the goal of enhancing and strengthening theoretical and practical skills in a fun, laid-back, and welcoming setting. As a result of this guitar teaching strategy, Morrison Music Tuition has a 100% pass rate for students completing practical and music theory exams.
Where is Morrison Music Tuition located?
Morrison Music Tuition is located in Berwick-upon-Tweed, right on the border between north Northumberland and the eastern Scottish Borders.
If I can't attend a local guitar lesson can I learn online?
Yes. There is in reality very little difference between learning the guitar in-person or online. Through either medium the tutor can still observe your posture, technical use of the right and left hand, be able to share the music and offer constructive criticism and guidance.