Client Testimonials
-Amy Shaw
West End: Six The Musical, From Here to Eternity, Heathers, Lizzie The Musical, Lyric Hammersmith Panto.
Artists: Justin Jesso, Mason Alexander Park, Aimie Atkinson, Cordelia Gartside.
"I started having lessons with Jim about a year ago after feeling really lost with playing for a long time and it’s been the absolute best decision I could have made, not just for my career but my confidence as well.
Every lesson is practical and specific to my goals so I don’t feel like I’m just sat learning exercises from a book that I don’t know what to do with.
My technique and musicality are night and day from this time last year, I finally feel like I’m able to play with confidence and conviction in a way that I never thought I’d be able to.
Jim’s teaching is so encouraging, motivating and clear, I now have a road map for how to approach my playing whether it’s lead or rhythm and he’s shown me that I was never really that far off, I just needed clearer direction in how to be the player I always wanted to be"
-Sofie Veie
Artists: Zara Larsson, SODY, Madison Beer, Holly H, Bellah Mae, Abby Roberts, GRACEY, Suki Waterhouse, Claudia Valenti, Ashnikko.
"Jim's one of those teachers I'll forever be grateful for.
He's incredibly skilful, knowledgeable and thorough.
He brought to my attention some things in my playing I wasn't even aware of and has pushed my technical abilities to places I didn't know they could go.
On top of this, he's also been a great mentor when I've needed it. The music industry can be brutal, so naturally a lesson can end up being a therapy session and Jim's always got great advice, especially when it comes to figuring out who you are as a player and how to become uniquely "you".
Top player, top mentor and top human."
-Frankie South
Artists: Kate Nash, Cat Burns, Remember Monday, Alana Springsteen.
Shows: MJ The Musical, We Will Rock You, SIX! The Musical, SYLVIA.
"As a working professional, it’s hard to find a guitar coach that you trust, and who can further your ability in such a particular way.
At the time that I reached out to Jim, after a few recommendations, I’d just landed a big West End gig where I had to play the iconic Eddie Van Halen "Beat It" solo, so my focus was learning how to tap and improve my legato playing at this point, for someone who is not particularly a ‘shredder’!
We then proceeded to spend the first hour session on the first two bars of the solo, neither bars having any fast tapping or legato moments in!
Jim takes your technique and breaks it right down to the tiny details that you might not have thought about in your playing before.
Once we continued sessions after my specific hurdle, we dove into the basics; worked on my pentatonic knowledge, the way I was holding a plectrum and positioning my hands.
We covered, and still cover, lots of things that might "sound" basic, but are things that were brushed over in music college or learning when you were a kid.
Jim’s teaching style is one of a kind. He takes so much care and attention in what you’re doing, and your progress. It’s not just his knowledge (or the fact he’s a monster player!), it’s the way he knows how to portray an idea or concept to help you personally understand. I’m understanding certain ideas and approaches of playing in a way that I hadn’t before, because it’s actually taught in context rather than a random chord shape or riff that ‘sounds cool’.
I can’t recommend Jim enough to anyone who wants to build a greater understanding of their own playing.
As a women in a very male dominated industry (with lots of big egos …), it can be tricky to navigate improvement at times, but Jim’s sessions are a safe and trusting place to do this."
-Andrew Moore
Artists: Heather Small, Faith Child, Jennifer Batten, JJ Hairston, Louise Redknapp, KEHLI
Shows: A Night With Janis Joplin, The Drifters Girl, The King of Pop Tour, The Elton John Show, The History of Soul
"Jim has helped me immensely and I’m arguably the level of player I am today due to his advice and teaching.
He has helped me with confidence, execution and fretboard visualisation as well as much more.
He’s encouraged and helped me to be the player I’m meant to be."
- Ryan Zaydner
Artists: Justin Jesso, Mason Alexander Park, Aimie Atkinson, Cordelia Gartside.
"When I took my first session with Jim, I knew I was under the tutelage of a top professional.
His methods have allowed me to visualise the guitar in my own unique way, to the point where I preach his ways to others.
Simply put, Jim is the reason I am where I am today.
I'm so grateful not only for what he's taught me, but for his mentorship and friendship.
If you want to take your playing to the next level, there's nowhere else I'd recommend you go.
He will take you to there and beyond."
-Gaetan Judd
Grammy Nominated Producer/Writer: J Hus/Drake, Burna Boy, Noname, Flowerovlove, One Love (soundtrack), Tyla.
Solo Artist, Session Guitarist: Burna Boy, Wizkid.
"Jim has been a huge inspiration to my musical journey.
After studying with him for 4 years, not only did he teach me so many skill sets that have helped me over the years in my professional life, he’s also been great at advising me over my career choices.
I had the chance to learn more from Jim last year when I felt stuck with my guitar playing.
He helped me with styles of music I had never been comfortable to play and I can only thank him for giving me his time & patience.
He’s the best. If you need any assistance, he’s the man!"
-Maxine Cahill
@maxinecahill_
Artists: Grandson, Kennyhoopla, Saint Agnes, Izzy T, CRASHFACE, Ramonas
West End: SIX! The Musical
"I’ve been having lessons with Jim for a few months now and I love them.
I specifically asked for help with fretboard navigation for lead playing, and technique for building speed. The depth we have gone into with both has been both exciting and encouraging, and I already have much more confidence in my playing.
Jim has been great at integrating both of my focal points and making my goals attainable. He immediately spotted small changes I could make in my technique to help with speed that I would have never realised on my own.
I now enjoy exploring the entire neck when improvising, whereas before I’d often end up lost, panicked and quickly run out of ideas.
Having the lessons recorded is incredibly helpful to look back and make notes after each session.
Definitely one of the best choices I made this year!"
-Laura Browne
Shows: Six The Musical (Uk and International Tour), BBC Radio 2 Doctor Who Live, Hades Town (West End), Kathy and Stella Solve a Murder West End), 42 Balloons The Musical.
"If you've ever wanted to be taught at the same level as a guitar professor from Berkeley, then Jim is your guy.
He's shown me how to create a system to take my playing to next level - whether it's for west end shows or stadium gigs, there's only a handful of people in the UK who can do this, and Jim is 100% one of them.
I've been looking for a tutorr like Jim for so long. The guitar world is saturated with teachers who sound good online but don't know what works under pressure when you're playing for 3000 people.
I'm so thankful to be working with Jim and to see how far I can push myself in the industry."
"Jim is the only teacher l've ever had in my life that I've been inspired by, he made me interested in the craft of playing the music I loved at the highest level and taught me techniques and ideas / didn't think I could even attempt.
He's helped me understand so much about composition and i wouldn't be the musician I am without his guidance.."
-Phil Short
Artists: Westlife, Guvna B, Dalton Harris, Clean Bandit.
Jam Track Central Artist.
"Jim was a fundamentally pivotal teacher in my musical life and taught me not just skills of 'how to play', but the skill of self development that has been the bedrock of my continued development in my professional career.
As an instructor, a mentor and friend, Jim has continued to be a source of encouragement and feedback in my professional development as a player.
Having achieved many of my child hood dreams in my professional career, things have come full circle and we have shared the stage together and collaborated on various projects.
If you want not just a teacher, but a coach and mentor for the real professional music world and the unique challenges it presents, look no further than Jim.
Providing you're willing to put the work in, he will give you the tools you need to succeed!"
"I fully lucked out by having Jim as a teacher during my formative years and he continues to be a source of invaluable guidance well over a decade and a half later.
His ability to communicate musical and technical ideas in a variety of ways has proved to be a huge source of growth and inspiration for me during my time as a guitar player.
I'm extremely grateful for all the shared perspectives and subsequent breakthroughs I likely would have struggled with otherwise.
Now with the awareness to hold myself accountable for the quality of my playing find myself in a very confident space and it's due in no small part to Jim.."
"Jim is the best guitar teacher I've ever had! He keeps things fun and entertaining whilst simultaneously explaining complex harmonic and technical concepts.
I've learned more in half a year of weekly sessions than in the previous 6 years!"
"I've been taking lessons with Jim for over a year now and my musicianship is improving faster than ever.
I'm a lot more focused and clearer on the steps I need to be taking to achieve my goals.
I'm always learning new techniques and musical concepts, whilst finding myself encouraged to build on the strengths that I had in the first place.
My overall identity as a guitarist feels a lot stronger now."
"simply put the guidance and wisdom Jim has shown me over the last year has taken my playing and my way of thinking about music to a completely different level.
If you are serious about improving and becoming the musician you've always wanted to be, you've come to the right place"
"I’ve had the pleasure of working with Jim for quite some time, and I can’t recommend him enough!
He’s helped me tremendously in improving my guitar technique and developing my improvisation skills.
What I truly appreciate about Jim is his patience and positive attitude no matter where I am in my learning, he always make me feel encouraged and motivated.
Jim has a wealth of knowledge and is always eager to share useful tips and tricks that make a real difference.
His teaching style is clear, engaging, and tailored to my needs, which has made learning an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
If you’re looking to improve your guitar playing you won't find a better teacher."
Ready to take your guitar skills to the next level?
Contact Jim Clark Guitarist today to start your musical journey!