GuruAI is developing a smartphone-based guitar-learning platform designed to make personalised music education more accessible for the public.
Two brothers who grew up in Wednesbury are making moves in London’s AI and technology ecosystem after securing backing for a music technology startup designed to widen public access to music education, in the face of heavy public funding cuts to arts education and services.
Supported by their expertise as academics and experienced tech entrepreneurs, the startup is leveraging cutting-edge advances in Artificial Intelligence to make music education accessible for all.
Dr Chris Rhodes and Jamie Rhodes are co-founders of GuruAI, which is developing an AI-powered guitar – learning platform capable of watching and listening to a musician through a smartphone before providing personalised feedback on pitch, timing, rhythm and technique.
Imagine carrying a personal music tutor around in your pocket which gives you feedback anytime, and anywhere. Chris and Jamie grew up playing music around the Black Country, including in local bands, and attribute their passion for playing music to the music education they had at school. Now, public funding cuts to the arts are widespread and GuruAI wants others to feel that passion and the benefit music gives.
The brothers are building GuruAI alongside fellow co-founder and chief technology officer Dr Hongshuo Fan, an award-winning composer and music technology academic. Together, the team is combining expertise in music teaching, artificial intelligence, academic research and commercial strategy.
GuruAI has recently secured investment from DataSpartan, a London-based AI and deep technology specialist headquartered in the City of London. Based in Lichfield, Staffordshire, GuruAI is now seeking additional investment to accelerate platform development, expand learner testing, and prepare for a wider market launch.
“Jamie and I grew up in Wednesbury, and we are proud to be taking that Black Country energy and resilience into London’s technology ecosystem. Music education had a profound effect on my life. Now, too many people – especially young people – face access barriers such as cost. We want GuruAI to help others feel the same passion and impact music had on us.”
Dr Chris Rhodes | Co-founder and CEO, GuruAI
GuruAI’s aim is not to replace music teachers. Its technology is intended to provide learners with useful feedback between lessons, help them learn outside of fixed hours, enable access in more remote regions, or offer a starting point for people who cannot currently access regular tuition.
The startup is also working with local musicians including guitarist, influencer and content creator Axel Grassi-Havnen to help shape and test the platform. Their involvement is intended to ensure that the technology reflects real-world playing styles as well as the practical needs of musicians, new students and emerging artists.
The research underpinning GuruAI draws on a bespoke dataset containing synchronised audio, video and sensor recordings from guitarists recruited through leading UK music schools. Rather than generating music, the system uses performance information to identify aspects of a learner’s playing and provide targeted educational feedback.
“The Black Country has always been a place where people make, build and solve problems. In the age of AI, Guru is carrying some of that spirit into a new setting to deliver music education to more, for less.”
Jamie Rhodes | Co-founder and COO, GuruAI
Dr Chris Rhodes is the CEO of GuruAI and an incoming Associate Professor at University College London.
His work combines interactive music, artificial intelligence and immersive technology. Jamie Rhodes is
COO of GuruAI, a commercial strategist and musician with experience spanning financial services, marketing and technology-led businesses in London and Tokyo.
Dr Hongshuo Fan is CTO of GuruAI and an Assistant Professor of Music Technology at Texas A&M University. He is an award-winning cross-disciplinary composer, leading GuruAI’s technical development.
The company plans to begin with guitar before adapting its learning and feedback technology for additional instruments. Its longer-term ambition is to create a multi-instrument platform that makes high-quality musical guidance more accessible for the public, personal and engaging.
