PLEASE NOTE: During the COVID-19 crisis, all guitar lessons and training are being held online only.

Update 27/5/2020: In-studio classes return from the 12/6/2020 for a strictly limited time.
​

ATTENTION: Adult Beginner and Intermediate Guitar Players...

Finally Play Songs On Your Guitar Effortlessly
​And Have A Lot Of Fun Along The Way... 

FREE LESSON

​Even though you don't want to be a professional musician, you want to know how to play guitar, so you can play the songs you love around the campfire, jam with your friends, or accompany a singer and do weekend gigs PLUS have fun, every step of the way...

If you've just picked up a guitar for the first time, or been playing a while, my guess is...

Since you're here, you're not able to do what you want to do the most - play songs on your guitar.

And why not?

You have ​access to all the 'how to play' guitar instruction books, tabs, DVDs - the internet is unlimited...

You may of logged hours of practice time - yet your guitar playing is still not improving as fast as you like...

So you start to think... you're the problem...

I'm here to tell you, ​to play all your favourite songs on your guitar, you already have everything you need to succeed at playing guitar well...

The problem isn't you - the problem is, information in the marketplace is saturated and results deficient...

Sure, those resources show you 'stuff' and there are some great ones. The majority of them though, don't offer the most important thing...

​There's no training on how to play along with your favourite songs - no matter what your skill level is...

Struggling To Play Songs?

With "text-book" chord shapes getting in the way of you playing songs...

​The Beginning Guitar Player's Cheat Sheet gives you access to a handful of  user-friendly guitar chords so you can start playing along with your favourite songs today!

Download your FREE PDF here:

Yes! I Want The Chords

I understand how and why you maybe feeling this way. I've experienced the same frustrations and setbacks you're having now. When I was learning how to play guitar back, in the early to mid-1980's, I started with no guitar teacher for the first 2 years (massive mistake). So if you're like me...

You rely on guitar method books, videos and magazines, thinking you can work this out on your own... 

Sure the content was there, but there was no training on how to apply and integrate those ideas to really make it a part of my guitar playing.

Even a lot of guitar teachers, just show you more and more 'stuff. Their philosophy - "here's your lesson, now go home and practice it!" 

Maybe I was different to most of their students, I did actually practice the material I was given. Coming back to the lesson the following week, and at band rehearsals and gigs though, I always felt, "I should be better". "Why isn't this easier?"

​I felt there was something missing. Something I wasn't getting.

​Looking back it was like driving around with two flat tyres. And what I didn't know then... until years later... from 'practicing it', I had formed and was forming massive bad habits that were to last for years...
​
What I really discovered though was...
​

​No amount of guitar instruction (free or paid for) is going to cut it for you - if it doesn't train you how to practice it properly.

​Sure, you may go home and "practice it", and "practice it"... yet without training on how to practice your guitar, you're on your own... experiencing the same lack of progress, session after session...

​If you're currently feeling like this, I completely understand. I know what you're experiencing right now. This was my reality. For years!
​

With hindsight, I can honestly say, that to progress quickly on your guitar - without hours and hours of practice, is knowing how to create games you're guaranteed to win, so you can play more of the songs you love. 

​And having the right guitar teacher to train you how to do just that... 

Someone who can keep you on the right track. Someone to coach and guide you to becoming the guitar player you want to be. A guitar teacher who is trained to teach you guitar. 

Dave Rollason

Student 4 months

​"Playing guitar and music in general makes me so much happier then anything else...Last nights lesson really helped open my eyes by showing me that knowing what your weaknesses are makes you stronger as you can focus on practicing them. Thanks Allen for a cool lesson once again".

FREE LESSON

Unless these core elements are in place, the reality is, you are only going to get more of what you're already getting - learning a lot of stuff, and not getting any closer to playing songs on your guitar...

​Despite the setbacks, self-doubt, struggles, frustrations and 'slow growth', I knew I wanted to teach guitar. I also knew deep inside, I didn't want any student of mine to "go home and practice it."

​As I was deciding to start a guitar teaching business around 2011, I also discovered a guitar teacher trainer. The 'lightbulbs' went on. The 'A-has' were instant. And the 'missing pieces' fell quickly into place.

I knew I had found the right trainer so I could be the right guitar teacher for you.

After investing 1000's of dollars and travelling as many miles, (and still continue to do so), into my own certified guitar teaching education, I offer professional guitar lessons in the Gold Coast and surrounding areas, for people who, like you, want to have a lot of fun learning how to play guitar.

Not only will you have fun every step of the way - learning your favourite songs, you will be taught how to take all the skills and techniques needed to play those songs, and to practice them effectively, so you can play great guitar.

And just because you don't want to play guitar for a living, doesn't mean you can't be great at playing guitar...

As there is no reliance on outdated, traditional guitar methods, Gold Coast School of Guitar does things differently. Through modern guitar teaching formats, to give you the best guitar lessons on the Gold Coast...
​

Here's What You Get:​

• The number #1 skill you need to play great songs on your guitar. Without this skill, even if it's one of the easiest songs you want to play, it won't be comfortable for you. With expert guidance, this will quickly become second nature for you so you can play entire songs easily - with complete confidence​

• Your time and money saved from possible years of unnecessary frustration and countless struggles. With training on how to play guitar the right way, and a​ rock-solid understanding of the basics under your fingers, you will learn the exact things you need to know. Not only know them, but how to practice them correctly so you can say goodbye to little or no improvement ​

• Your beliefs changed about your potential to learn how to play guitar. These new beliefs will change your behaviours about playing and practicing, and allow you to focus on the effort that leads you to the results you want.

• Structure through a lesson and practicing strategy. Having this structure in place, will set you straight on down the road ahead and keep you there. With this key piece in place, you will learn to play your guitar the way you want, as quickly as possible ​

• Teaching on how learning through making mistakes. There is power in seeing how you can't do something, yet. It's our natural way of learning things and you will make continual progress​

• Instant feedback to keep you focused at all times. You've got your target to go for and I will help you aim like a missile aiming to hit it. Instead of your usual slow, casual zig-zags to get you back in line, like you're experiencing now, you'll be given tight, quick and accurate course corrections to make certain you reach your goal every single time

• The only guitar teacher in the Gold Coast area who is certified and trained to teach you guitar.  No other guitar teacher on the Gold Coast has this training and certifications - and it's ongoing! What does this mean for you? The more training I receive and complete, the better you get at playing guitar

• Get your practice into focus so you can increase your skills quickly. If you're tired of practicing chords and scales and not hearing them turn into music, you know that 'practice more' theories are not enough. It's not hours and hours of practicing that helps you - it's having focused practice to see rapid improvements. You will learn how to do this even if you only have a few minutes each day to practice  

• Properly developed habits that will bring all of your technique, theory and playing skills together. You can feel confident in knowing you will be no longer hindered in your guitar playing progress. Can you imagine how great you are going to feel playing your way through all those favourite songs of yours?

• Feel great playing. You'll feel a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that, when you leave the studio to go home to practice, you'll know exactly what you need to be working on, and HOW to work on the material. In fact, it's likely you'll be having so much fun you won't want to go home​​

Learning Songs IS What You Need To Do To Become The Guitar Player You Want To Be
​(It's Just Not All You Need)

In today's saturated, guitar instruction marketplace, you can get songs from anywhere and any teacher can show you songs. Most normal guitar lessons though, usually consist of - "put your fingers here and do this... now go home and practice it". While there is truth in that motto - you do have to practice, but how can you develop the skills to play songs, if all you're taught is where to put your fingers?

Bottom line is - most people who want to play guitar, can't play songs, because they don't have the training to develop the correct habits, to form the right skills, so you can play your favourite songs easily!

To get these skills, your guitar teacher should be installing in you the correct playing and practicing habits from the start. 

For your progress to be effective...

So you can see and receive great value each week...

Your guitar lessons should be filled with:

• instant feedback every step of the way
• the right things done in the right order
• learning and teaching breakthroughs not found in normal guitar instruction or outdated learning methods

PLUS...

Above all, your guitar teacher should be thoroughly trained in these methods and strategies, with easy, simple actions for you to do, to ensure your guitar playing success.

Ten Things You Should Get (As A Minimum) In Your Guitar Lessons:

​​1. Four Key Steps To Learning New Information: There are four crucial steps you need to know to produce great results with your guitar playing. They assist to deepen your knowledge and understanding. Maximise your practice time and help turn your frustration into fun.
​

2. Taught HOW to practice - not just told to go home and practice:  Your improvement at playing guitar will take off when you know how to practice guitar. Practicing effectively and deliberately will skyrocket your guitar playing abilities to levels unimaginable to you right now. Deep practicing is the key!
​

3. Training For Your Brain - Not Just Your Hands:  What conventional guitar teachers don't teach you in their guitar lessons, is the importance of how to train your brain. Even though playing the guitar is a physical activity, it is the mental side that requires the most regular, consistent training. To get you to the next level on the guitar - to get you maximum results - it's more about what goes on in your head than what you do with your fingers. ​
​

4. Self Motivation: ​To help you become a better guitar player, you will learn exactly how to motivate, teach and 'coach' yourself in your daily practice. You will gain the skills and insights to help you overcome your unique playing challenges. This kind of teaching is not usually found in everyday guitar lessons.
​

5. Become A Master Of The Basics: If your goal is to play guitar the way you want to play - your first step is to be a master of the basics. Mastery of the basics is the core strength of your guitar playing skills. The more advanced you become the more critical this strength is!
​

6. Instant Constructive And Positive Feedback: Being coached and encouraged will inspire you to move to the next level. Constant and timely feedback is critical in developing your playing skills. Having the right information will give you the confidence to reach your playing goals.
​

​7. New Playing Habits: All guitar players who have learnt on their own unconsciously pick up bad habits. These habits impede their growth as a musician. You will be shown how to eliminate these habits and rectify the mistakes you are unknowingly making. (This is a positive, empowering process)
​

8. Your Questions Answered: You may of learnt some things through a guitar book or a DVD or even online. Although these methods can be great...they fail to do one thing. One thing no book, DVD or online video can do for you. Answer the questions you have about deepening your understanding of the exercises or techniques. You will discover nothing is superior to REAL-LIFE guitar instruction
​

9. The Fast Track To Your Playing Goals: If you have been playing a while, working with the right guitar teacher will be indispensable to your advancement. If you are beginning to playing guitar and to guitar lessons, your learning curve will be 10x faster than learning on your own. All great guitar players study with the right guitar teacher - if it works for them, it will work for you!
​

10. Inspiration To Be A Better Guitar Player: My goal is to Teach, Lead and Inspire you to become the great guitar player you want to be. Not just to show you 'stuff' just because you 'show up'. I will help you solve your guitar playing problems and eliminate your frustrations and struggles. I will be there with you every step of the way. As your guitar coach, trainer and mentor, this is my commitment to you. ​
​
​You will not find these guitar lessons in any book or online...you won't find them anywhere else on the Gold Coast! Learn the correct playing and practicing habits, to save yourself years of frustration and countless setbacks and have a lifetime of playing great guitar. 

​Above all else, learning and playing guitar should be fun. And it will be for you, once all the fundamentals are in place, so you can go on to play your guitar in any style or genre you choose. Click on the orange button below to arrange your free, 60-minute guitar lesson.

Free LESSON

I teach guitar lessons to students all over the Gold Coast area. Most of my students live in Ashmore, Merrimac, Southport, Gaven, Robina, Bonogin, Surfers Paradise, Benowa, Mermaid Beach, Palm Beach and Tugun...

Student Feedback

Robert O'Leary

Student 2.5 Years

"...I would advise anyone interested in playing guitar to take the step and talk to Allen and He will take you down the path for you to achieve whatever you want to in guitar playing." 

Stephanie Mahagy

Student 2.5 Years

"...thanks so much again for being such a generous coach Allen, You really offer so much more than any other schools we have attended...and I love your flexibility."

Free LESSON

You maybe thinking... you don't have natural talent... you have no rhythm... you're not good enough... you haven't got what it takes... you can't read music... you're too old... your fingers are too small, large or fat...

... nothing could be further from the truth! 

In your guitar lessons, you will discover that all it takes for you to succeed at playing guitar - is the right training.

​I will be with you every step of the way. Giving you the fastest results possible so you can become the best guitar player you want to be...
​

"Expecting A Guitar Teacher To Be Qualified To Teach You How To Play Guitar, Should Be No Different For You, Than If You Were Seeing A Doctor..."

Hello, I'm Allen Hopgood.

Since starting Gold Coast School of Guitar in 2011, I specialise in training adult beginner and intermediate guitar players, by breaking down classic songs into games you're guaranteed to win, so you can play more of those songs you love, on your guitar.

Most of my students however, have no ambitions to be professional musicians.

They don't want to record CDs, or tour the stages of the world...

​They just want to have fun:
​

• Playing songs around the campfire
• Jamming with their friends
• ​Some even want to accompany a singer and do occasional weekend gigs

Yet, when I first see them, they're:

• Struggling with chord changes
• Frustrated with trying to understand tab online
• Overwhelmed with not knowing how to practice effectively

OR...

They have been learning and doing the wrong things, that get you no closer to playing songs on your guitar...

Sound familiar?

As a guitar coach, It is my goal, to help you play your favourite songs, while having a lot of fun along the way.

I take this responsibility seriously...

However, many guitar teachers offer lessons...

Yet, don't have any training on how to teach you guitar.

By training I don't mean, degrees...

​Just because a guitar teacher may be great player, doesn't mean they're qualified to teach.

When I decided to start teaching, I made the decision not to be like other teachers...

So I invest heavily into training...

Training not to show you just what scales to play, or where to put your fingers...

Training on how to teach you guitar - to give you the confidence, so you can see improvements in your playing - quickly, easily and regularly.

You will be trained how to play guitar and practice effectively, through a system, that sets up games you're guaranteed to win.

This is a dynamic learning process that helps you to:

• Learn guitar faster
• Play more songs quickly
• Easily advance your skills

AND...

...as long as you follow the simple steps, will get you rapid results!

No other local guitar teacher offers this kind of guitar training. Or has the qualifications to do so. This is ongoing training, that I am committed to FOR YOU, and you will receive it, as a standard part of your weekly guitar lessons. 

​What does this mean? The more I am trained...the better you become at playing guitar - faster...

---

You're invited to a FREE, 60-minute Guitar Lesson

​
​Whether you've just picked up your first guitar yesterday, or been stuck in a rut for years, I want to invite you into my studio, for a free, 60-minute guitar lesson, where I will show you how to play along with one of your favourite songs.

Why?

​It doesn't matter what your goal is, if you're learning how to play guitar...

I want you to be able to:

• Play more songs faster
• Have a lot of fun doing so
• And know how to practice more effectively

To schedule your free, 60-minute guitar lesson, just click on the orange button below, and we'll set up your lesson as soon as possible.

Once you're here at my studio, we'll jam a bit and get to know each other better, and see if the lessons sound like a good fit... 

And if they're not:
​

• there's no hard feelings
• no hard sell
• of course there's no obligation to continue

AND...
​
I'll even recommend another guitar teacher if I can...

So, I'm inviting you to attend a free, 60-minute session, where you'll learn how to play along with one of your favourite songs...
​
I'll guide you, step by step through the entire process - no matter what level you're at...

And if it's not for you...

I promise, I'm not going to hit you over the head to take guitar lessons with me.

Click on the orange button below, that says Schedule My Free Lesson Now...

And I look forward to helping you play the songs you love, quicker and easier, while having a lot of fun along the way...
​

DOWNLOAD MY FREE PDF AND START
PLAYING SONGS ON YOUR GUITAR TODAY

DOWNLOAD NOW

START PLAYING SONGS ON YOUR GUITAR TODAY!

Free LESSON

P.S. Unsure whether this is for you? I get it. In this digital age, it's normal to be skeptical. That's why I'm offering you a free, 60-minute session for you to decide if this is for you. Once we meet and jam a bit, if it's not your thing, there's no hard feelings, no hard sell or obligation of any kind to continue. Click here to arrange your free 60-minute session.

P.P.S. You're happy with how many songs you can play and you're just looking around? That's okay? Do you need expert guitar repairs or want to find some new music? Then check out the links page for some professional musicians and instructors I highly recommend.

Free Lesson | About | Free Resources 

 Playing And Singing At The Same Time | What To Consider When Choosing A Guitar For Your Child | Help Your Guitar Playing Forever By Doing These Things | How Clear Goals Helps Your Playing | Why You're Not Improving On Guitar | Solve Fretting Hand Problems With A Pencil | Do Expensive Guitars Sound Better? | What To Look For In A Guitar Teacher | Why Kids Should Learn To Play Guitar | Scared About Music Theory | Lyric Writing Tips | A Simple Way To Play Melodies and Chords | Hitting The Right Strings When Strumming | Choosing The Best Guitar Pick | Effective Vibrato Playing | How To Practice Time, Feeling And Sound Great | Improvising With The Pentatonic Scale | How To Get The Most Out Of Your Guitar Lessons | The Difference Between Rhythm And Lead Guitar | Does Not Feel Natural

​© 2011-2020 Gold Coast School of Guitar​