Andy Raven
Guitar Lessons with Creative Musicality | Lancaster University Educator
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Andy Raven
Doctorate degree
/ 55 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.
Meet Andy
Your guitar teacher expertise
Chords and Rhythms
Fingerstyle
Ear training
Music theory
Scales and Modes
Songs and Repertoire
Guitar for beginners
Learner for guitar lessons
All levels
Adult/Professionals
School
College
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
Types of guitar lessons
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Classical Guitar
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15 days Refund
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Free Tutor Swap
Guitar concepts taught by Andy
The tutor introduced the student to the fundamentals of reading music, specifically sight-reading, by explaining musical notation, note values, and pitches. The student practiced identifying and playing notes, focusing on rhythm and reading ahead. The session concluded with a review of scales and chords, with plans to continue developing sight-reading skills.
Note Placement and Pitch Identification
Musical Time Signatures and Bar Lines
Introduction to Site Reading
Reading Music Notation: Pitch and Rhythm
The Tutor and Student worked on learning the guitar riff for Radiohead's 'Street Spirit.' They analyzed the song's chord structure and fingerpicking pattern, breaking down the complex riff into smaller sections for practice. The Tutor provided guidance on technique and suggested practicing the riff without certain embellishments to build a solid foundation.
Pick Grip and Hand Technique
Rhythmic and Melodic Anchoring
Guitar Tablature Interpretation
Fingerpicking Patterns and Techniques
Chord Voicings: A Minor Variations
The tutor and student reviewed basic chords and practiced the pentatonic and major scales, with a particular focus on the A major scale and finger placement. They then worked on learning a specific riff from a Metallica song, including techniques like slides and the application of power chords.
Power Chords (5 Chords)
Major Scale vs. Pentatonic Scale
Guitar Riff Construction
Fretting Hand Technique
The student and tutor worked on fingerpicking guitar techniques, focusing on specific chord patterns (A minor, E minor, D minor) and exploring variations. They introduced the 'Drop D' tuning and its musical applications, with plans to work on specific fingerpicking songs in future sessions.
Core Chord Progressions (A minor
E minor
D minor)
Drop D Tuning and its Implications
Fingerpicking Techniques: Alternating Thumb and Finger
Hammer-On Technique
The tutor and student worked extensively on developing Travis picking techniques on the guitar. They practiced specific finger patterns, chord transitions, and the importance of an independent thumb for rhythmic accuracy, with the student encouraged to continue practicing the fundamental Travis picking pattern.
Travis Picking Fundamentals
Why Fingerpick? The Plektrum Alternative
The "Alternating Bass" Concept
Chord Transitions and Voicings
Finger Independence and Control
The student and tutor reviewed basic guitar chords and practiced strumming techniques while learning parts of "Peggy Sue" and "The Fool on the Hill." They then moved on to tablature notation and riffs from Metallica's "Enter Sandman," concluding with a brief discussion on guitar electronics.
Chord Voicings and Variations (D6
G6)
Rhythm and Strumming Techniques
Reading Music Notation (Basic Elements)
Introduction to Tablature (TAB)
Barre Chords: The Foundation
Learning tools used in guitar classes
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Amp Simulators
DAWs
Engaging guitar lessons
Mobile joining
Record lessons
Weekend lessons
Open Q&A
Pets are welcomed
Guitar teachers on Wiingy are vetted for quality
Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.