About Ian Guitar

Welcome to Ian Guitar.  This web-site has been created as an aide for my students, so that you don't have to pay me for all the things you need to know apart from actually learning to play the instrument.  It will, in fact, serve any student of the guitar and/or music performance.  It's a 'one-stop-shop' in that all the information you could need is either here or there is a link to it.  It doesn't include lessons for specific songs, although I show you how to find them, it's more about the learning process and all the other things that go with being a guitarist.

I have many years experience playing the guitar, ever since a friend showed me a few chords and songs when I was fourteen (thanks to my old friend Oliver Venning!).  I have been gigging in bands for the last fifteen years, since being encouraged by my then teacher, Justin Sandercoe.  I have studied many styles and can teach to a proficient level Blues, Soul, Pop, Rock, Metal, Funk, Reggae, Disco, Country, 50s Rock n Roll,  and beginners to intermediate Jazz and Classical.  I have a first class honours degree in Popular Music Performance/Guitar from the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance.  Many thanks to the talented tutors there, many of whom you hear daily on records, without you even knowing it.

There are many good on-line guitar tutors and some of their lessons are free. I will direct you to some on the Learning the Guitar pages.  Although I am a teacher, this web-site is about the rest of the stuff that you need to know about learning the guitar and performing  -  and the stuff that you didn’t know you need to know.  If you now what I mean!  On this website you can find:

How to start learning, if you are a beginner, and how to get better, if you’re not
How to play by ear
How to learn and remember songs
Whether or not you need a teacher and, if so, how to find one
Tips about performing: joining a band, rehearsing and where to play
What gear you need and how to choose and maintain it
Tips and tricks that I’ve acquired, which will help you in many areas, including equipment, performing and learning the guitar.

This site is updated regularly, so feel free to come back from time to time.  If you notice a typo or other error, or just want to share an opinion or say 'hello', please contact me here.

Many thanks to my brother-in-law Tom for his assistance with the design and graphics for this web-site.  I was in-the-dark before he helped me!  http://tomyallop.com


Share by: