About Jappe Govaerts – Professional Guitarist & Guitar Teacher in Antwerp
“I learned music the same way I learned to speak: first by listening — and by daring to make mistakes.”
I am Jappe Govaerts, a guitarist and live musician in Antwerp, specialized in blues and fingerstyle guitar. Drawing from my experience as a performing musician, I offer guitar lessons in and around Antwerp, with a strong focus on insight, musicality and enjoyment. In addition, I specialize in professional guitar setup and maintenance, because a properly adjusted instrument is essential for learning comfortably and musically.
At the age of seven, I took my first steps in music school. Before I was allowed to play an instrument, I had to study music theory for a year. It felt strange. Language and music are learned by listening and imitating — without rigid rules, without fear of making mistakes. In theory class, everything revolved around what was “correct,” and it felt more like homework than joy. I started on saxophone, but soon another instrument caught my attention.
The electric guitar. It echoed through my father's blues records and lay gathering dust under my uncle’s bed. After seven years, I left music school, but my direction was clear. Self-study took over, and the guitar became my focus. After graduating from secondary school, I began my studies at the Popsoul/Jazzstudio in Antwerp, where I immersed myself for five years in technique, musicality and artistic identity.
It was an inspiring environment where established artists and young musicians met and grew. During my first year, I discovered Travis picking — a fingerstyle technique in which bass and melody move independently. What began as fascination became a turning point in my playing, and later my specialization. It changed the way I think about rhythm, independence and structure on the guitar.
During that same period, I discovered my passion for teaching. Alongside guitar, I explored bass, piano and voice, broadening my musical understanding. When you truly understand the language of music, every instrument becomes a natural extension.
After completing my studies, I began teaching in the Antwerp region. What I noticed is that many guitarists lack the foundation required to truly play with freedom. My lessons are built on real experience and deep musical understanding. No random tricks — but a clear system that brings both structure and freedom. That freedom starts with understanding — and with the right guidance.
