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Music · Guitar

Guitar tutoring explained

Guitar splits across three streams (classical, acoustic, electric), each with its own repertoire and technique and its own exam-board fit. Pick the stream that matches your child's musical interest, then a tutor who specialises in it.

Quick reference

Three guitar streams
Classical (nylon-string), Acoustic (steel-string), and Electric
Boards by stream
Classical → ABRSM or Trinity; Acoustic → Rockschool or Trinity; Electric → Rockschool or RGT
Levels
Grades 1-8 and Diplomas
Lesson length
30 mins at early grades; 45-60 mins from Grade 5+
Equipment minimum
A correctly-sized guitar; for electric, a small amp (15-30W is plenty for home practice)
Common tutoring need
Technique, chord vocabulary, soloing fluency, and grade-exam prep

The three guitar streams

Classical guitar

Nylon-string instrument, played fingerstyle (no plectrum). Sitting position, right-hand finger technique (i, m, a, p), left-hand fingerings, and polyphonic playing: the technical pedagogy is rigorous and rewards careful study. Repertoire spans Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century composers (Bach, Sor, Tárrega, Albéniz, Villa-Lobos).

Boards: ABRSM and Trinity. Grade 5 theory is required for ABRSM Grades 6-8 practical.

Acoustic guitar

Steel-string instrument, which can be played fingerstyle or with a plectrum. Repertoire spans singer-songwriter, folk, country, blues, and fingerstyle. There is less classical pedagogy and more emphasis on chord vocabulary, strumming patterns, and fingerstyle arrangements.

Boards: Trinity Rock & Pop, Rockschool, and dedicated acoustic-style syllabuses from various boards.

Electric guitar

Wide range of styles, from rock and pop through blues, funk, and metal. Technique covers chord vocabulary, power chords, lead playing (scales, soloing technique, vibrato, bends), rhythm playing, and improvisation. Effects pedals and amp tone management are part of the craft.

Boards: Rockschool (RSL Awards) dominant, with Trinity Rock & Pop a strong alternative.

What guitar tutoring focuses on

Technique foundations

Hand position, fretting accuracy, fingerstyle alternation (classical), pick technique (acoustic and electric), barre chords (the early plateau most students hit), and bending and vibrato (electric). Strong tutors drill these systematically rather than letting them develop accidentally.

Chord vocabulary

Open chords, barre chords, seventh chords, extended chords (9ths, 11ths, 13ths), and drop tunings. Expanding chord vocabulary is what unlocks new repertoire. Students plateau when they know enough chords for a few songs but cannot pick up new ones.

Soloing fluency (electric, acoustic)

Pentatonic and minor pentatonic scales, the blues scale, and modal awareness. Strong tutors balance scale-pattern drilling with applied soloing over backing tracks. Students who only practise scales mechanically rarely develop musical solos.

Grade-exam preparation

In the 8-12 weeks before a graded exam, lessons typically intensify around the prepared pieces, technical exercises, and sight-reading. Mock-exam runs are common.

Choosing a guitar tutor

Confirm the stream: classical, acoustic, or electric. Some tutors cross over, but many specialise. Confirm the board: ABRSM and Trinity for classical, Rockschool and Trinity Rock & Pop for the popular streams. Check the genre fit too. A metal-leaning tutor may not suit a child wanting to play folk fingerstyle, even though both are acoustic. Performance background matters more at higher levels, and tutors with degree-level music education or active gigging careers bring useful depth.

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Common questions

  • Classical, acoustic, or electric: which should we start with? +

    Depends on what your child wants to play. Classical (nylon-string) is the traditional grade-exam route, with rich repertoire and rigorous technical pedagogy: ABRSM and Trinity have established classical syllabuses. Acoustic (steel-string) bridges classical and contemporary, well-suited to singer-songwriter style. Electric is the fastest route into rock, pop, blues, and metal: Rockschool's syllabus is built around it. Most kids who picked up guitar because they enjoy popular music are best served by acoustic or electric on the Rockschool route. Switching streams later isn't free but isn't a disaster either; technique transfers more than parents sometimes assume.

  • What size guitar does my child need? +

    Critical and often overlooked. A guitar that's too big causes posture and stretch problems that limit progress. Approximate sizing: ages 5-7 → 1/2 size; ages 8-11 → 3/4 size; ages 12+ → full size (4/4). For acoustic and classical, full-sized 4/4 guitars are standard from age 12 or so. For electric, smaller models (Squire Mini, Fender Player Mustang) work well for younger children. Most music shops and good teachers will help confirm the right size.

  • Do we need an amp for electric? +

    Yes, but small. A 15-30 watt practice amp (£60-£150) is plenty for home practice and lessons. The Boss Katana Mini, Yamaha THR series, and Fender Mustang LT range are all popular. Larger amps are unnecessary for grade-exam preparation and bedroom practice; they're for gigs.

  • What does Rockschool guitar look like? +

    Rockschool's guitar grades cover rock, pop, blues, funk, and related styles. Each grade includes performance pieces (often with backing tracks), technical exercises (scales, riffs, soloing), sight-reading, and ear tests. Theory expectations are less demanding than ABRSM. Rockschool's Grade 6, 7, and 8 carry UCAS points like other boards. Strong tutors who teach Rockschool can also teach Trinity Rock & Pop (a similar contemporary syllabus, slightly different repertoire).

  • Can the same tutor teach all three streams? +

    Some can, many can't. A classically-trained guitar teacher may not be comfortable in rock soloing or contemporary technique; a rock-school teacher may not have classical repertoire depth. If your child is committed to one stream, find a tutor who specialises. If they want to explore, ask each prospective tutor about their range honestly.

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Written by Robert S. Reviewed by Fiona H. Last reviewed