Jim Ellis
Guitarist · Educator · Founder of Fretprints
Jim Ellis is a guitarist, educator, and the founder of Fretprints. He teaches guitar improvisation and musicianship — how to hear the changes, comp with confidence, and build lines that actually say something — to players around the world through the Fretprints YouTube channel and membership.
Jim trained as a jazz musician, earning a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern Maine, and has spent his career on the bandstand and in the teaching studio. Fretprints is where those two sides meet.
Fretprints
What started as a set of lessons for private students has grown into a complete practice system:
- The YouTube channel — free lessons on standards, comping, and improvisation for more than 13,000 subscribers. Watch on YouTube →
- 700+ lessons and etudes — interactive etudes over real standards, exercises, play-alongs, and PDF guides, with new lessons added every week.
- Interactive tools — a fretboard app, chord library, ear trainers, and more, all built by Jim. See the tools →
- Live coaching — a weekly livestream and office hours, so members get personal feedback from Jim, not just videos.
Background
Jim grew up in the Baltimore/Washington area, learning piano, guitar, and bass, and began performing and teaching in his early twenties. He studied guitar with Walter Namuth, a longtime member of the Buddy Rich band, studied upright bass with renowned bassist Steve Novosel, and jammed with Butch Warren, the bassist who recorded with Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in music performance from the University of Maine and a Master of Music in Jazz Studies from the University of Southern Maine. After graduating, Jim performed throughout New England, the Bahamas, Central America, and the Caribbean.
Alongside Fretprints, Jim continues to teach private lessons and to perform.
Start here
Get the free 6-Part Improv Guide →
Try the full Fretprints membership free for 7 days →