Jules Cooper
About
Hi, I’m Jules — a guitarist and teacher from the UK.
I’ve been teaching guitar for over 30 years, working with students of all ages and levels, both in person and online. Alongside teaching, I’ve spent decades working as a professional musician, touring and recording, and performing with a wide range of artists and bands in the UK and internationally.
I’ve also taught guitar in UK state and private schools, and over the years I’ve developed a deep understanding of how different people learn — whether they’re complete beginners, returning players, or more advanced guitarists looking to move forward.
I teach a wide range of styles, including rock, blues, metal, pop, funk, and classical guitar, with a strong focus on helping students genuinely understand the instrument. My aim is to teach you how to play the guitar, not just memorize shapes or copy tabs. We work on understanding the fret board, building your own chord progressions, developing lead parts, and gaining the confidence to create your own music.
I’m deeply passionate about guitar and music in general, and I love helping students grow, improve, and enjoy the process. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your technique, I’ll guide you clearly and suppuratively every step of the way.
Teaching Style
My teaching style is structured, clear, and adaptable. Lessons are tailored to each student’s level, goals, and musical interests, while always following a logical progression so you can see and feel your improvement over time.
Most lesson material comes from a comprehensive curriculum I’ve built over many years, covering technique, theory, rhythm, lead and rhythm guitar, and fretboard understanding. Lessons are supported with PDF materials, including tablature, standard notation, scale charts, and chord shapes, so you have everything you need to practise effectively between sessions.
In most cases, students also receive jam tracks or play-along material, allowing them to apply what we’ve covered in a musical and practical way rather than just running exercises. Each lesson is designed to have a clear outcome, along with a focused practice idea to work on afterwards.
Lessons can be more theory-focused or more play-oriented, depending on what suits you best. Some students want to understand how everything works; others want to focus on playing and enjoyment — most want a balance of both. I adapt the approach to suit the student, while making sure progress stays solid and consistent.
Above all, my aim is to help you build real skill, confidence, and independence on the guitar, while keeping lessons enjoyable and motivating.
Curriculum
My lessons are always adapted to the individual student. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach — what we work on depends on your level, your goals, and the kind of music you actually want to play.
Most lesson material is drawn from a large, structured curriculum I’ve built up over many years. This includes clear PDF resources such as tablature, standard notation, scale charts, and chord shapes, so you always have something solid to practise between lessons. In most cases, lessons are also supported with jam tracks, allowing you to apply what you’ve learned in a musical, practical way rather than just running exercises.
Each lesson is designed to have a clear outcome, along with a focused practice piece or idea to work on afterwards, so you always know what you’re aiming for and why.
Lessons can be theory-focused or more relaxed and practical, depending on what suits you best. Some students enjoy understanding how everything works; others simply want to play and enjoy the guitar more — most fall somewhere in between. I adjust the balance to suit you, while still making sure you’re progressing in a clear and structured way.
The goal is always the same: steady improvement, confidence on the instrument, and lessons that keep you motivated to play.
Credentials & Affiliations
I’ve been teaching guitar for over 30 years, starting with private, in-person lessons and continuing today both online and offline. Alongside private teaching, I’ve spent around 10 years working in UK state and private schools, teaching students of all ages and abilities. 3 years as “Rock School” leader.
Outside of teaching, I’ve worked as a professional guitarist for decades — touring, recording, and doing session work. I’ve played major festivals, appeared on TV and radio, and toured the world twice. I’ve played major festivals and large-scale shows, including appearances on the same festival bills as The Prodigy and Foo Fighters, performing to audiences of over 100,000 people. and I’ve worked with well-known artists in pop and rock along the way.
I’ve also released 15 guitar courses, built up over many years, covering everything from beginner fundamentals through to advanced lead and rhythm playing. All of this material feeds directly into my teaching today — nothing is theoretical or outdated, it’s all practical and road-tested.
Most importantly, I’m still teaching every day. I enjoy helping students progress, whether that means building solid foundations, breaking through a plateau, or simply enjoying the guitar more. My lessons are structured, clear, and supportive — but always centered around keeping you motivated and actually wanting to pick the guitar up and play.
Let’s make some music 🎸
Teaching Experience
2005–2009
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Private guitar teacher (in person)
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Guitar Teacher and Rock School Coordinator at:
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St George’s Secondary School
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Roundwood Park Secondary School
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2018–2021
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Private guitar teacher (in person and online)
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Guitar Teacher and Rock School Coordinator at:
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Radlett Prep School (Private School)
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Bridgewater School
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Greenway School
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Relevant Professional Experience
1997
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European tour with Echobelly, including:
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Appearance at V97 Festival, performing alongside Foo Fighters, The Prodigy, and other major acts
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Live performance at London Astoria
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Performance on BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge
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Television appearances including The Paul Ross Show
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2001
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Recording sessions with the band Tantric, featuring Ted Chau of PIL
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Television performance on The James Whale Show Channel 4
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European tour with Cubanate, Fear Factory, and Will Haven, including performances at:
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London Astoria
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Razzmatazz Barcelona
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2008
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American tour dates, video shoot, and album recording with British rock band Viking Skull
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Television performance on Get in the Ring ITV
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BBC Radio 1 live session
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Live performances at:
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London Astoria 2
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Rock City Nottingham
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Education
1986–1990
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Ashlyns School
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Completed secondary education
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Achieved eight GCSEs