Andy Raven
Guitar Lessons with Creative Musicality | Lancaster University Educator
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Guitar lessons - Andy Raven
Doctorate degree
/ 30 min
Andy - Know your guitar teacher
I’m Andy Raven—a guitarist, songwriter, and teacher with over 15 years of playing, touring, and recording experience. I’ve played Glastonbury, recorded in major London studios, and worked across styles from blues and indie to English and Celtic folk. My teaching style is relaxed but focused—I tailor each lesson to your goals, whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time, working on advanced phrasing, or keen for your child to have fun and progress. I teach electric and acoustic with an emphasis on feel, musicality and artistic identity. I love teaching diverse players of all standards and ages. I also hold a PhD in literature. I aim to make every single lesson creative, encouraging, and genuinely enjoyable.
Guitar lessons quick guide
My approach is shaped by each student’s goals—no two lessons are the same. What matters most is that students spend real time playing their instrument during the lesson. I favour a “songs first” method: we start with music you enjoy, and theory follows naturally from there. With a background in teaching English in schools and universities, I bring structure, clarity, and warmth to every session. I’ve also spent much of my adult life working in SEN, so I’m particularly attuned to neurodivergent learners. Lessons are creative, flexible, and rooted in helping you feel confident and connected to the music. I had a fantastic teacher growing up—and I see it as a real privilege to now guide others.
Guitar teacher who keeps it simple
Breaks down chords and strumming in easy steps
Boosts confidence in shy learners
88% parents notice improved self-esteem and stage presence
Focus on core guitar skills
93% Students report clear progress in chords, strumming, and transitions
Your guitar teacher expertise
Chord Progressions
Guitar Techniques
Ear training
Music theory
Strumming and Picking Techniques
Scales and Modes
Guitar for beginners
Meet Andy
Guitar concept taught by Andy
The student was introduced to the A chord and practiced transitioning between the E and A chords. They worked on finger exercises and rhythm practice with a metronome. The student was encouraged to practice the A chord for improvement and focus on strumming techniques.
The A Chord
Strumming Technique
Finger Exercises: Dots on the Fretboard
Rhythmic Accuracy with a Metronome
Tuning the Guitar
The session involved learning and practicing G, C, and F chords on the guitar. The Student worked on finger placement, transitions between chords, and minimizing pressure to maintain accurate pitch. Tuning techniques were discussed, and the Tutor recommended a metronome for rhythm practice, with plans to explore minor chords and the Nashville system in the next lesson.
Importance of Integrity in Hand Shape
Tuning the Guitar by Ear
Relationship Between E
A
D and G
C
F
F Chord: Barre Chord Introduction
The Student and Tutor analyzed a Beatles song, focusing on chord structures, diatonic and non-diatonic chords, and different ways of voicing chords. The Student practiced playing the song, incorporating personalized chord variations. Another Beatles song was assigned for the Student to analyze for the next session, with a plan to revisit scales and improvisation in the following week.
Repeat Bars and Song Structure
Rhythmic Interpretation and Bar Lengths
Chord Voicings and Substitutions
Diatonic vs. Non-Diatonic Chords
Chord Chart Interpretation
Andy Raven taught a guitar lesson where a student from Phoenix College learned the E major chord, focusing on finger placement and strumming techniques. The learner practiced the E major chord and was then introduced to the A major chord. They also utilized a metronome to enhance their timing and rhythm.
Metronome
Strumming Technique
Root Note
E Major Chord
During a recent guitar lesson, a student from Mesa Community College focused on guitar techniques for playing chords up the fretboard in the key of G, drawing inspiration from "Sweet Creature." The learner practiced simplified chord shapes based on bar chords and honed their right-hand thumb-picking technique. The instructor will provide tab notation for the song, and the student will continue to practice the new chord shapes and right-hand technique.
Two-Note Chord Shapes
Diatonic Scale & Chord Types
Fretboard Navigation (Root Notes)
Sharps and Flats
Andy and Chris delved into pentatonic scales and relative major and minor keys during their guitar lesson. Chris honed his skills on the A minor and C major pentatonic scales, exploring various positions and bending techniques. For their next lesson, Andy tasked Chris with analyzing a classic rock solo to pinpoint its pentatonic foundation and any non-pentatonic notes for discussion.
Playing 'In the Box'
Power Bend
Blues Note
Relative Major/Minor
Pentatonic Scale
Learner for guitar lessons
All levels
School
College
Adult/Professionals
Engaging guitar lessons
Mobile joining
Parent feedback
Chat for quick help
Open Q&A
Pets are welcomed
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Metronome Apps
DAWs
PDF Sheet Music
Amp Simulators
Types of guitar lessons
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Classical Guitar
Guitar teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
