Learn Your Favourite Songs — and How They Work! From Technique to Theory and Composition

Hi, I’m Joe Hiles - a guitar tutor with a Bachelor’s degree in Music and over three years of teaching experience. I specialise in jazz guitar, but I’ve always maintained an active interest in other styles having begun learning rock, indie, and classical music. Before university, I was primarily self-taught, so I understand the joys and challenges of learning on your own. Combined with my formal training, this lets me offer a teaching approach that’s both supportive and creatively flexible. Whether you want to learn your favourite songs, improve your technique and theory, or write your own music, I’ll tailor our lessons to what excites you most about playing. I offer online lessons for both acoustic and electric guitar, suitable for all ages and abilities. I’m passionate about helping players at any level, from beginners picking up the guitar for the first time to advanced musicians refining their style. Together, we’ll create a clear path toward your musical ambitions.

I take a student-centered approach, shaped by experience teaching both in schools under strict curricula and privately with the freedom to design lessons. This has shown me how essential it is to focus on what interests the student from the very beginning, making every lesson engaging and motivating whilst at the same time developing a strong musical foundation. I combine solid technique, listening skills, and theory with creativity and improvisation, teaching in a progressive way and using sheet music, chord diagrams, and other visual aids where appropriate. Lessons are carefully structured to build skills step by step, ensuring students gain confidence while exploring their own musical interests. Whether learning songs, improving technique, understanding theory, or composing original music, I adapt to each student’s learning style, supporting them to become independent, versatile musicians who enjoy the process and develop a lifelong love of music.