I play guitar everyday all day, its my passion and I hope to do something with it soon. I have had three guitar teachers, I went to a total of 6 lessons. I love blues guitar and the first thing everyone did was try to make me learn the major scale! I knew the shapes, the theory and had it down pat but they wanted me to recite every note forward and backwards without messing up in all 12 keys lol. If thats your scenario you really can learn more on the internet, in my opinion. I thought to myself "there is no way BB King or Buddy Guy did this or they'd still be doing this". So I kept finding information on my own, studying Stevie Ray, Jimi ect. and I watched a online video of an interview with Gary Clark Jr. and in that interview he said he was really lucky because he grew up playing with great players. Gary Clark is from Austin, and I can't remember who he played with growing up but it shocked me that these people give guitar lessons. He went to say that in Austin, he just another Guitarist and that floored me. I am from Iowa so right away I started googling Austin guitar lessons and I came across Jake and it all made sense. He is a brilliant guitarist and if it weren't for a little luck, it would be like Eric Clapton-Jake Andrews. The very first lesson, the very first thing we did was get into licks and soloing ideas. Right away, I actually went home and told my girlfriend that I found the bible. We learned in a way that I believe Stevie and Jimi would of learned. Jake cuts your learning curve in half and makes sense of guitar quickly. He is also a great person and very patient. If you want to become a great guitar player, whoever you are, you need a great guitar teacher. I GUARENTEE you that Jake Andrews will get you where you need to go and beyond. read more

From the time of my youth, guitar has been a particularly large part of my life. This is especially true pertaining to Blues and Blues Rock music. I taught myself to play from books, magazines and later in life picked up many songs from YouTube videos. My desire was to do more with music than mimic but to be able to jump in and play in any key and create my own solos on the fly in real time. I began taking lessons from Jake about four months ago with the goal of improving around improvisation of lead guitar and phrasing of solos. Jake is incredible! He has a no nonsense approach in getting through many key topics that have significant impact on what I learn, understand and retain in each session. In every lesson that I have taken so far, I feel that doors are opening and gaps in my knowledge are being filled around music theory that I have struggled with for years. He not only covers what you need to learn but also tells you why it is important followed by a demonstration. He also tells you what order you need to learn certain objectives in where other instructors are typically all over the place. Jake is quite friendly and is able to match your playing goals to custom lessons that will target material to your level and speed. He is very patient, kind, down to earth and a pleasure to learn from and incredibly talented. It hasn't taken me long to realize he is the best guitar instructor I have ever learned from. read more

I very highly recommend Jake Andrews for anyone interested in taking guitar lessons. He is an outstanding guitar player and teacher! I have been taking guitar lessons from him for over a year and it has been a truly wonderful experience. I personally have been playing the guitar for 17 years and when I began taking lessons, I wanted to take my playing to the next level. I wanted to improve my playing and I told Jake that I want to be a lead guitarist! Right away, he figured out what level I was on and started teaching me how to reach my goals! He has taught me everything including playing by ear, the blues scale, improvisation, the importance of applying different styles into my own playing just to name a few. I have learned to play songs by the best guitarists in the world like Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton, Freddie King and the list goes on! He has a unique approach to teaching. Every week he challenges me while keeping it fun and I learn something new. When I can feel myself becoming a better guitar player, I don't want stop learning and that is what Jake has done for me. It is rare to find a guitar teacher like Jake, a guitar master and an excellent performer who has shared the stage with some of the all time greats, combined with the patience and knowledge to be a one of a kind teacher . It has been an honor to learn from one of the very best. Much more than a teacher, he is an inspiration. read more

I had the good fortune to find Jake Andrews' website online almost a year ago after my former teacher stopped giving lessons. As a guitar student what impressed me about Jake from the beginning was (1) the firm but gentle way in which he redirected my study of playing the electric guitar in a more structured way, focused on building up blues riffs, along with (2) the news that we were not going to be using tabulature (tabs). I never would have believed I could learn without tabs, but that is exactly what I've been doing for almost a year now. You CAN memorize the music if you put your mind to it, and you will play more fluently when you're not reading tabs. Apart from being a fantastic guitarist, Jake has a great knowledge of the early rock and blues I like to learn and play. Every lesson includes the history of the music we both admire. In seconds Jake can find the classic versions of just about anything on Youtube and compare different versions of a song. He can figure out even the most complicated licks in a few minutes because he is such a master of the instrument, and then he can show you how to play them. In a word, every lesson with Jake has been a musically rewarding and an enjoyable experience, and I'm looking forward to many more lessons that will enable me to play the music better. read more

Jake Andrews is one of the best guitarist in Austin; and has been since he appeared on the Austin scene as a child. However, his skills as a teacher may be even better than his virtuoso guitar playing. He is so patient and interested in his students, ranging from as young as 4 years old!, to older folks 70 plus. Jake, finds interest and humor in all his students and takes the time to find out what goals, level and personal aspirations his students would like to achieve through his low key attention. He then follows through with a systematic, professional program tailored to their needs. Being a music person, friend and neighbor I have watched Jake with many of his students. He seems to be a natural teacher. Maybe it is simply because he enjoys people so much, and combined with a guitar and what better common denominator than music to draw us together. Jake Andrews is upbeat, calm, and humble towards his students so they seem to instantly feel at ease, whatever their age or skills may be. I would be very comfortable and feel like it is a privilege to have such a gifted musician, plus a nice person as a teacher for anyone lucky enough to be able to have lessons; whether it be a child, a skilled musician or anyone just wanting to have a good time playing guitar! read more

I have played guitar for many years and found myself in a deep rut. I had become lazy about my theory and had been telling myself that my picking sounded pretty good. I knew that I needed to re-energize my commitment to playing and getting better. Being self taught I knew I needed much more depth. I recently purchased a winter home in Austin and wanted to really study the blues. Thank goodness I found Jake's web page. Jake is a natural teacher. He is a fantastic player. Combine the two and you will be right at home if you are looking to become a quality guitar player. Jake will make you feel comfortable no matter what your level. He has a knack for knowing what you need and how to get you there. The learning is fun, organized and somehow naturally effective. I have had approx. 9 lessons....and they were action packed and focused. Those hours have given so much to think about and to work on that I can't wait to pick up my guitar and go. Jake talks about how he learned so much from great guitar players. Let me tell you....to have access to someone like Jake; his lifelong commitment to his instrument and his ability to show you how to really understand how the guitar works is an opportunity you do not want to miss. Call him. Learn how to play the guitar. read more

Honestly I do not think you can find a better blues guitar teacher. I have extensive music theory education and Jake is the real deal. He is a real player and a teacher, and very patient and fun to learn with. He is in demand and may be hard to schedule but your patience will be rewarded. Probably need to be pretty confident with your ability and have some knowledge already to make the best use of your time with him. If you are a beginner or barely intermediate you could find a cheaper teacher to get some chops first. If you are already happy with your playing (who is, lol) you could even use Jake just to learn from him for a few lessons let him critique you and give you his perspective of your playing and you'd be better for it. I took four lessons and have expanded my soloing capability dramatically and immediately. You will learn the minor pentatonic scale inside and out, up and down, forward and back, the philosophy and beyond. Further each lesson he suggested making a video recording where he recapped the lesson so I could keep for future reference and not forget what he had spent an hour explaining. read more

I started lessons with Jake about 3 months ago. I've been playing guitar for about 20 years, but I am mostly self taught with some pretty bad habits and honestly no sense of rhythm whatsoever. I also wanted to break out of ruts and 'expand horizons' regarding improvisation. The lessons have been fantastic. Jake has tailored perfectly for my skill level. What that means to me is that I'm pushed outside of my own comfort zone, but the goals are obtainable with good practice habits. Jake is very easy to get along with and extremely patient with me regarding the bad habits that I've taught myself. Those habits have been setting in deeply for over 20 years and Jake has been great and helping me recognize what I need to do to break them. If you want to learn guitar or if you know how to play a bit and want to push your abilities, then contact Jake. He's made the whole experience enjoyable for me. read more

Jake is a great teacher. As an adult that has never before played an instrument, Jake was very patient with me. He has taught me a lot considering my lack of experience with musical instruments. I am very surprised at the level of my own skill in the short amount of time that I have been taking lessons. The lessons are also fun and entertaining, which was a real concern for me. I was not interested in sucking at something and having my lessons be a 'chore.' I am learning a lot and having fun. I definitely recommend Jake Andrews as a guitar instructor. read more

It is unusual for a really great player to be a very patient teacher, as well. I have taken blues guitar lessons with Jake for two years. No grinding out drills - unless you ask for that. It is a fun and relaxed atmosphere. Being a decade or two older than Jake, I am surprised at his encyclopedic knowledge of the rock and blues artists of my youth and beyond. He is great at helping you learn how to learn. He gets a Woohoo rating from me. read more

I had taken lessons for a couple years before coming to Jake. I have made more progress in the few months I have been here than the years I spent elsewhere. Jake makes the guitar easy to understand. I enjoy playing now more than I ever have and look forward to my lesson every week. If you are looking for the best instruction you can get in Austin this is the place. read more

Jake comes across as a very knowledgeable musician. I was an absolute beginner, and knew nothing about guitars. He has been a very patient teacher. Unlike what I had heard about other teachers, he teaches music, not just the science of the guitar. I like the way I go to class knowing that I will learn to make music with my guitar. read more

Jake is an amazing guitar player. He has a great deal of experience in playing AND teaching. He has a true gift. What makes him so great to work with is not just his musical ability but also his character and attitude. I recommend him to anyone who wants to learn to play or enhance their playing read more

I took several lesson with Jake over the last year and I must say he is a great instructor. If you're new to guitar or even a pro, you can learn alot from Jake. I highly recommend him. Had I not moved to Dallas, I'd still be taking lessons with him. Sign up...you won't regret it. read more

Jake just gets it. He knows so much about the guitar and about music that he can adapt his teaching methods to what works best for the student. His adaptability, patience and knowledge make him an ideal teacher for the student that is ready to learn to play real music. read more

Jake Andrews is phenomenal blues guitarist and a professional musician with a long history in the Austin music scene. It is amazing that you are able to learn from such a caliber of musician. He is extremely personable and knowledgable about teaching music. read more

Jake has been teaching my 9 year old daughter guitar for over 8 months and she has made tremendous advances in her playing. Jake is a patient, professional teacher and I (and I'm sure my daughter) would highly recommend him. read more

Jake is the best! Approachable, Patient, Adaptable, Flexible, and an extremely gifted player. His teaching method quickly sharpens your guitar coordination in a practical fun way. I definitely recommend giving him call! read more

Jake is an AMAZING guitar player and a very gifted teacher. He is patient and thorough. I would recommend him to anyone looking to start playing guitar or to any advanced players looking to fine tune their skills. read more