James Cortright
Guitar lessons for all, with a focus on accessibility and fun, but also excellence through music
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James Cortright
Bachelors degree
Enroll after the free trial
Each lesson is 55 min
50 lessons
20% off
/ lesson
30 lessons
15% off
/ lesson
20 lessons
10% off
/ lesson
10 lessons
5% off
/ lesson
5 lessons
-
/ lesson
1 lessons
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/ lesson
James - Know your guitar teacher
I've dedicated my life to teaching music, while constantly improving my abilities as a teacher and musician. For over 15 years of work experience I've taught lessons and ensembles, learned from some of the best teachers, and remained a life-long student of music pedagogy. My education includes a 4 year Bachelor's degree in music, and a 2 year certificate in audio technology. I've won first place as a performing member and a teacher with ensembles in world class international competitions, and received perfect scores in competitions as a soloist. Through all of this, I've learned that each student is a unique and special musical mind that requires adaptability from a teacher who has mastered their craft, but still has the ability to make the material understandable to a complete beginner. Thank you for reading this and considering taking lessons with me!
Your guitar teacher expertise
Scales and Modes
Chords and Rhythms
Music theory
Chord Progressions
Guitar Techniques
Fingerstyle
Guitar for beginners
Learner for guitar lessons
Guitar for beginners
Guitar for intermediate
Guitar for adults
Guitar for kids
Guitar for advanced
Guitar lessons quick guide
My teaching methodology is based on a combination of studying a variety of music education techniques such as Orff, Kodaly, and Suzuki, while also learning from first hand experience teaching thousands of students. I believe that there is no one right way to teach music, but instead it is best to have a large tool kit and extensive background of knowledge to draw from based on the needs of any individual student. From beginners to advanced, from elementary age to adults, there will always be some creativity and flexibility involved in how I go about conveying the information that will help a student learn about music and improve their abilities on their instrument. I incorporate lessons from all areas of the subject of music including music theory, history, and ear training, while drawing from a variety of styles including classical, jazz, and folk.
Strumming made easy in class
89% students say rhythm and timing improved quickly
Guitar lessons that keep kids motivated
No reminders needed, students are eager to attend
Step-by-step guitar classes tracking
86% students see clear milestones across levels
Types of guitar lessons
Guitar
Acoustic Guitar
Electric Guitar
Classical Guitar
Bass Guitar
Guitar concepts taught by James
The student and tutor reviewed scale exercises, explored chord construction and identification (including triads and seventh chords), and began working on a new song. They discussed strategies for practicing scales, understanding key signatures, and improving hand coordination. The tutor provided visual aids and assigned practice of the discussed concepts.
Scale Exercises: Circle of Fifths & Fourths
Triad Chord Construction: Major
Minor
Diminished
Augmented
Seventh Chord Construction: Major 7
Dominant 7
Minor 7
The session focused on improving the student's piano skills through coordination exercises, scale variations, and chord inversions. The Student practiced contrary motion scales and applied rhythmic analysis techniques to a specific musical piece. The Tutor assigned practice exercises including scales, arpeggios, and chord progressions with inversions, and will send written materials for reference.
Contrary Motion Scales
Chord Inversions
Fermata and Rhythmic Interpretation
Syncopation and Rhythmic Subdivision
Hand Coordination and Rhythmic Simplification
The Student and Tutor reviewed guitar fundamentals, chord construction, scales (major, minor pentatonic, circle of fifths and fourths), and articulation techniques (slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends). The Student received three assigned pieces to practice. The next session was rescheduled and set for Monday, December 22nd.
Chord Analysis: Notes and Theory
Enharmonic Equivalents and Music Theory Rules
Articulation Techniques: Slides
Hammer-ons
Pull-offs
Bends
Minor Pentatonic Scale
The Circle of Fifths/Fourths
Arpeggio Finger Placement on Black Keys
F♯ Major Arpeggios
Hand-Eye Coordination
Fingering Consistency
B♭ Major Scale and Arpeggios
A Major Arpeggios
F Major Scale
Finger Independence & Dexterity
Scale and Arpeggio Practice
Transposition and Keys
Accidentals: Sharps and Flats
Chords and Chord Progressions
Reading Music: Bass Clef
Hand Position and Note Reading
The student and tutor worked on developing rhythm and strumming patterns for guitar, focusing on specific songs. The student practiced applying different strumming techniques to improve their playing. The session included analyzing time signatures, exploring chord simplifications, and coordinating strumming with singing.
Time Signatures: 4/4 and 3/4
Strumming Patterns: Long-Short Rhythms
Strumming Techniques: Downstrokes and Upstrokes
Harmonic Rhythm: Chord Changes
Combining Singing and Strumming: Coordination
Chord Simplification and Voicing
Filling Sound and Avoiding Silence
Learning tools used in guitar classes
DAWs
Backing Track Libraries
Looping Pedals
Metronome Apps
PDF Sheet Music
Guitar Tuner Apps
Engaging guitar lessons
Mobile joining
Record lessons
Note taking
Chat for quick help
Open Q&A
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Every tutor is interviewed and selected for subject expertise and teaching skill.
