Welcome!
I’m Adam Rafferty and I’ve been a guitar teacher and a touring guitarist since 1993. Let me help you get better at fingerstyle, blues and jazz guitar.
Have you felt “stuck” trying to teach yourself guitar?
Dear Fingerstyle Guitarist,
Are you frustrated with the current state of your guitar playing?
Do you find yourself:
- Watching video lessons online and still not getting anywhere?
- Playing the same songs year after year?
- Looking at a theory book, and giving up?
- Unable to play special techniques or fast tempos
- Playing songs but not understanding the harmony?
- Wanting to get your “groove” deeper?
- Struggling to practice effectively when you come home tired from work?
For years, I was trying to learn from a bunch of short, fragmented lessons, in magazines.
Short, unrelated lessons on youtube or in magazines are “info-tainment”, and actually get you nowhere. They WON’T help you build your “craft” – only private lessons with a teacher will.
“When the student is ready, the teacher appears…”
Even though he was a piano player – he nurtured my guitar playing with perfect “universal” music principles.
I found a GREAT teacher named Mike Longo (pianist for Dizzy Gillespie) and went for weekly lessons starting 1991 until 2001.
As I look back, I see that my “apprenticeship” with Mike was the true source of my musical success.
He was like a Zen Master…his advice would seem “WEIRD” – but then it always worked!
One time we played at a lesson and he said “well, that’s technically correct, but not spiritually correct.” He knew EXACTLY what I needed – and here’s what he showed me…
Music became EASIER AND EASIER (and much more fun) after lessons with a master teacher.
Mike showed me harmony, rhythm and arranging techniques that he learned from Oscar Peterson, Dizzy Gillespie and his composition teachers. I’ve applied these concepts to fingerstyle guitar, and they work!
With just a few of the SIMPLE groove and arranging techniques he showed me, I was able to arrange many, many songs for solo guitar – and build a touring and recording career.
And I’d like to share this knowledge with you.
To Get Better at Music You Need 4 Things:
- You need a teacher you trust
- You need personal lessons based on YOUR needs
- You need correct, valid musical information
- You need feedback on your playing…encouragement, correction, and new concepts.
INTRODUCING…
Your Solution – Study With Adam
A structured, online learning platform to help take your guitar playing to the next level….
- Inside Study With Adam you’ll get guitar study “materials” like video lessons, courses, PDFS, play alongs and more.
- I’ll show you how to play my well loved arrangements and also give you courses on technique, groove, blues, pop, theory, jazz and more.
- You’ll find everything you need in a centralized place and presented in a step-by-step manner so you always know what to work on next.
Learn guitar at your own pace – from home.
- You’ll get my personal attention and guitar coaching. Our ongoing teacher-student relationship will account for 95% of your improvement.
- You’ll get weekly check in emails, you can chat with me live 1-on-1 via ZOOM 15 minute check in calls, Monthly ZOOM Community chats, and Pro Player Members can upload videos to me directly for a Video Feedback Lesson
- As your mentor, I’ll help you stay “in the game,” keep you motivated, clear up your misunderstandings, and give you specific practice direction and advice.
You’ll also get what the other guitar sites leave out…
You’ll Get Guidance from a World Class Guitarist and Teacher
I’ll guide YOU and show you exactly how to improve your guitar skills.
You are unique – and I’ll suggest learning pathways and customize lessons just for you.
Finally, a Study Program That Helps You
Become the Guitar Player You Want to Be…
More than anything, I want to help you achieve your musical goals and dreams.
I’ve played hundreds of concerts and festivals worldwide, and taught thousands of students…so I can show you what works, and what doesn’t.
I’d like to offer you the best coaching I can.
Inside ‘Study With Adam’ you will find a fun and organized approach to learning.
It’s designed so that you get just the right things at the right time in your development.
And no, it won’t cost you thousands of dollars…
Just Imagine Joining a Guitar Program In Which…
- You’ll always know what to learn and work on next
- You’ll start to sense a feeling of effortless ease as you play
- You’ll learn how play a fingerstyle piece without mistakes
- You’ll be part of a supportive community, which will help keep you motivated to practice
- You’ll have me as your coach and accountability partner, helping you every step of the way…
Access my personal coaching, discover my solo fingerstyle arrangements, improvisation techniques and more…
Here’s How It Works…
Quick & Easy Application Takes Less Than 90 Seconds.
Free 14 Day Trial Available.
Real-Life Student Testimonials
Thank you, Adam for helping me – via a digital format – become not only a big fan, but, a far better and more polished guitar player. I thank you for all your hard work and sharing your talents to the world to become better guitar players and people. Keep pickin’!
The songs are beautifully put together, and taught in bite size pieces that enable one to progress towards learning the entire song.
Adam’s teaching style is such that it feels as if he is sitting in the room with you, walking you through the piece. I highly recommend these videos, it’s helped take my playing ability to a higher level.
Learning those pieces of music has really made me become FAN and from the moment, I realized that Adam’s teaching had started a beautiful process in me, I only wanted to play his arrangements.
His Funky Finger Stuff has highly infected my soul and I’m just loving it. It’s a great joy to study and play this style. The magic of it is that I get more into Adam’s realm of music, with each new song that I learn to play. At the same time it gives new insights in his teaching on all the previous work.
I would like to thank Adam for all the beautiful work he has done so far and it is my deepest wish that he will continue to do so and come out with much more of it (as soon as possible!) Sincerely,
He gives you all the tools needed right on his instructional videos.All you need to do is work at them and you will eventually be playing them,maybe not as clean and smooth right away but that’s where the consistent practice comes in.let’s face it,if we could all play as great as Adam we would be touring the world as well. He is one of the blessed and gifted one who gives generously of his time and talent in these great videos.
Now it’s just a matter of hard work to really get them down as many already have.Thank you Adam,for making these great videos to teach all of us who really love music!!!Many blessing to you!!! Sincerely,
You’re Not In This Alone!
Study With Adam members come from all around the world.
Just log on, learn, grow and enjoy the most lively and supportive guitar community today.
Which Guitar Study Program Is Right For You?
Here’s What You’ll Get
You’ll love this perfect combination of home study, personal coaching and community contact.
Learn Anywhere, Anytime You Want…
You’ll get “members only” access to step-by-step video lessons for many of my original fingerstyle guitar compositions, concepts, and techniques in the Watch and Play ™ Lesson Library.
Need personal help learning a piece?
No problem — I’m here for you.
Get Personal Video Feedback on Your Guitar Playing
When you are ready you can upload videos to me for supportive, personal coaching – and get real results.
I’ll get a notification of your upload and respond to you personally with a one-on-one Video Feedback ™ Guitar Lesson.
Private coaching with me is finally available – right from your own home.
(This feature is available only to Pro Player Members)
Join the Community!
Discover how encouragement and a positive team spirit can enhance your learning.
You’ll learn from watching the other students, seeing my feedback, and even make new friends and jamming partners.
All members can have personal interaction with me via private check-ins and the monthly SWA community ZOOM calls.
Cost Comparison
Education can be expensive. But incorrect technique and wasting time will cost you more in the long run.
MUSIC UNIVERSITY
PRIVATE LESSONS
STUDY WITH ADAM
$50,000 / YR
$4800 / YR
$0.82 / day
SWA Is Guaranteed to Help You…
If for any reason you feel that SWA is not right for you, just let us know within 30 days and we’ll send you a refund No-Questions-Asked, 100% Money Back Guarantee!
What Students Are Saying…
These are from people just like you who are serious about improving their guitar playing.
“I first came across Adam Rafferty searching for “learning guitar.”
Adam´s playing appealed to me, and yet I learned even more from his approach, philosophy and attitude towards the instrument and towards music making and performance in general.
I have been a happy amateur guitar player all my life, and yet his insights gave me better habits.
It helped my focus on what is important, and I recommend his site to all my friends.”
Kjell-Åke
Sweden“Every single thing you said really helped, and things started coming together immediately.
I can’t believe what improvement I’m seeing just from you pointing out a few screws to turn. It’s really starting to have that signature Adam Rafferty sound always manages to elude me. I love it!”
Aaron Carlino
New Zealand“Hey Adam,
I just felt moved to drop you a line and say “thanks” for the individual advice and coaching you’ve given me so far.
You’ve gotten straight to the heart of what I need to work on to enjoy my own playing again.Activating that inner sense of rhythm and groove gets right to the core of my musical improvement.
I also love learning and playing your arrangements. Keep up the good work my friend.Best, Steve”
Steve Hardy
USA“After many years of playing guitar, I found myself in a creative funk and finally decided that lessons of some kind were badly needed.
In my dealings with Adam, I’ve also found a valuable bonus in tips and observations ranging from taking care of our hands, minds and instruments. I am very pleased and thankful to have found such a valuable wing-man as Adam Rafferty to set me back on the path!”
Dale Rates
USA“I am a guitar teacher by trade. As a teacher, player, and lover of guitar music I have been influenced by Adam in tons of positive ways.
Adam’s talent extends as a teacher just as easily as his ability to create amazing music.
He is inviting, concise, and helps you build confidence as a player approaching his catalog.
If you are willing to put in the effort, he provides all the tools you need to feel successful, and he presents the information in a sincere, insightful, and fun way!”
Dave Francis
www.guitarborist.com“I have joined the StudywithAdam.com website and it is fantastic. I can recommend it with total enthusiasm.The video lessons are really high quality and Adam breaks each song into 5 – 7 shorter video segments.This helps keep me organized and working on a realistic goal.
I am already a fairly good player but I could easily see this site being beneficial for all levels of musicians.
Frankly, the hardest part of this is choosing which song to work on next.
John LInd
Washington State, USA“Adam you have and still are an inspiration for me. I love the lessons and I’m beginning to be able to play some of your tunes a little.
I’m getting a small drum for working on your Grove thing. My wife doesn’t want me using the top of her head for a drum. Go figure?
Your Major Triads, Close Position Version 1 has really been good for me. When I get my idea down I’ll vid it for you. It’s an easy little ditty I’m doing with it.
Just watching your other students has been refreshing for me. It’s just a great way to learn new stuff and help break very bad habits.
My very best regards,
T.W. Felty
Connecticut, USA“Wait – I don’t want to pay for a subscription, that’s WAY too expensive!”
I hear you, and I agree – subscriptions are an ongoing cost, and should be carefully considered.
It would be silly to pay year after year for a site that is just a “hard drive full of videos” (which is exactly what many guitar sites are.)
Inside Study With Adam you’ll get
- Ongoing personal attention and coaching
- A supportive community
- Full step-by-step lessons and courses
- Personal feedback on your playing (Pro Player plan only.)
The value you will get with SWA is immense – and it won’t cost you thousands of dollars.
Still not sure? Just reach out to me personally with any questions you may have.
“I Don’t Need Guitar Lessons, I Just Need the Tabs!”
It’s very tempting to “go it alone” and try to teach yourself.
And, if you feel there is nothing to learn from me as your teacher…Study With Adam is NOT for you.
With today’s over-abundance of YouTube guitar lessons, tabs, and tutorials it may “seem” that you have all the information you need at your fingertips.
But you don’t…and here is the “blind spot”:
The free TABS out there won’t actually help you improve your playing.
You need someone to give you feedback, help you with practice, and coach you along the way.
If you are an adult, you have probably realized – you don’t have unlimited time on the planet!
How Many More Years Can You Afford to Waste?
It would take you years to figure out things I could show you in 5 minutes.
Can I Trust Adam for Guitar Lessons?
Many well-known guitar players are not necessarily great teachers!
However, teaching guitar is something I take very seriously.
I studied classical guitar, and played jazz guitar for 20+ years in the NYC jazz scene before switching to fingerstyle in 2008.
Since then I’ve written 3 guitar books, produced 5 guitar DVDs, played hundreds of festivals and concerts, done countless live workshops and taught thousands of students worldwide.
I believe deeply in the importance of a teacher-student relationship.
And I Wrote About It In My Amazon #1 Bestseller
My teachers helped me get through the maze of learning, and I’m ready to help you the same way they helped me.
“I’m Already a Member of Another Guitar Site”
If you use other online guitar resources, that’s great.
Many students on SWA are also members of other sites (like TrueFire for example). It’s okay to be a member on more than one site!
My students consider these sites as “libraries.” They then come to me for personal coaching and clarification.
If you are curious about Study With Adam – just go ahead and try it 100% RISK FREE for 14 days.
“Why is SWA More Expensive than Other Guitar Websites?”
I’m glad you asked!
There are 2 basic guitar lesson website models online.
The first model is like NETFLIX.
You pay a small monthly fee and get to access a library of materials when you log in.
The price can be low because the website owner does not actually engage with you as a teacher.
(Truefire, GuitarTricks, UltimateGuitar, etc. are like this.)
The second model is…well, human.
On SWA, you’ll have actual, real life contact with me as your teacher (in addition to all the top notch materials, videos, pdfs, play alongs).
Offering you personal contact, live zoom calls, and giving you feedback on your playing takes considerable time and effort.
For this reason, I must charge a suitable amount so that I can sustain the costs, and workload, and provide you with the best service I can.
It’s a choice. I could have made a NETFLIX-style guitar site, but I believe that the student-teacher relationship is sacred. I’m dedicated to helping you become the best guitar player you can be.
Try Study With Adam 100% RISK-FREE for 14 days.
About Your Instructor
Hey!
I’m Adam Rafferty – welcome to my guitar teaching website. I was born and raised in New York City, and currently spend most of my time on the road playing concerts and doing workshops.
Playing music for people is my #1 passion.
I also love teaching music to anyone who is dedicated.
Teaching music is my #2 passion.
At age 6, I started lessons with Woody Mann and learned little fingerpicking blues tunes.
Like many guitar players, I went through the phases of rock, and classical and then got deep into jazz.
I played jazz guitar throughout my 20’s and 30’s in NYC, and got to play with some jazz greats along the way – like Mike Longo (pianist for Dizzy Gillespie and my mentor), Alvin Queen (Drums for Oscar Peterson & Horace Silver), Dr. Lonnie Smith (B3 organ with George Benson), Buster Williams, Bob Cranshaw, Tal Farlow….the list goes on!
And then – in 2006 I got bitten by the fingerstyle bug fingerstyle guitar after hearing the one and only Tommy Emmanuel.
Since then – life has changed. I have toured worldwide (Bangkok, USA, Germany, Italy, Austria, Scotland, Bermuda, Singapore, Malaysia, Czech Republic), released several fingerstyle instruction DVDS, and amassed over 20 million YouTube views.
I started Study With Adam in 2014 as a way to share my knowledge. I could never have imagined that I would have the privilege to teach over 3,000 students!
Ready to take your guitar playing to the next level and finally become the guitar player you truly want to be?
With Warmest Regards,
Adam
More Commonly Asked Questions
Ready to Take Your Guitar Playing to the Next Level?
Start mastering the fingerboard, practice better, and play your favorite solo arrangements with effortless ease.
Let me be your personal guitar coach.
Risk-free 14 Day Trial. 30 Day No Questions Asked 100% Money Back Guarantee.
P.S. Where Would You Like Your Guitar Playing to Be
One Year From Today?
Just imagine how this past year has gone by, in the blink of an eye.…
That should make it easy to imagine yourself one year ahead from today; it will feel like ‘right now.’
One year from today, would you like to be able to:
- Play solo fingerstyle guitar pieces that inspire and excite you?
- Perform with confidence for friends and family?
- Jam with other like-minded guitar players and musicians?
- Discover the blues, improvisation and understand the fretboard?
- Develop a comfortable and confident guitar technique?
- Enjoy the satisfaction of knowing that you are on a steady path that will help you become the guitar player you want to be?
It all starts with a decision you make today – right now.
I promise you, that if you commit to what I show you inside Study With Adam, I can help you get from where you are now to becoming the guitarist and musician you’d like to be.
P.S. Please note that student space is limited. In order to serve my current members, enrollment could close at anytime.
YES, I’m Ready to Get Better At Guitar and Try Study With Adam for FREE