Helping Frustrated Adult Beginners Finally Play Songs With Confidence

Most of my students have already tried learning guitar — lessons, apps, YouTube… you name it.

But despite their efforts, they still can’t play songs start to finish.

At Gold Coast School of Guitar, I help you change that with a simple, song-based system designed for adults, not music students.

You’ll walk in with doubt and walk out playing songs you love.

Gold Coast guitar teacher running a small group lesson for adults

Hi, I'm Allen!

I've been playing guitar since I was 13 — and it's given me a lifetime of joy, confidence, and connection.

But what lights me up even more is helping other adults experience the same thing.

At Gold Coast School of Guitar, I specialise in teaching adults over 40 how to play songs for fun — no pressure, no confusing theory, and definitely no "you should've started years ago" mindset.

Allen Hopood's personal background and musical journey - Gold Coast School of Guitar

“I started playing guitar at 13. Now, I help everyday adults play the songs they love — no scales, no pressure, just fun.”

📍 Based in Carrara | 🎸 12+ years teaching | 😄 500+ happy students

How Gold Coast School of Guitar Really Started

“The Guitar Stayed Under The Bed” — The Story Behind Gold Coast School of Guitar

Most people assume I’ve always been playing.


The truth is — I quit.

For four years, I didn’t touch a guitar.


Sold all my gear — even my prised Gibson Les Paul.


The only thing I kept was my first guitar, a gift from my 13th birthday, tucked away under the bed.

Allen Hopgood with his prized Les Paul guitar at Gold Coast School of Guitar in Carrara, Queensland
Allen Hopgood with his band performing live prior to starting Gold Coast School of Guitar in Carrara

Supporting Kiss in 1996

Life had changed. I was newly single. Two kids.


And honestly, I thought guitar was part of my past.

One day, out of nowhere, an old bandmate posted a video from a gig we played 10 years earlier.


I watched it.


And one question hit me hard:


“What am I doing with my life?”

The next day, I walked back into that same music store — first time in 4 years.


And there it was.


My Les Paul.


The very same one I had sold.

I bought it back on the spot.


And I started playing again.

The Real Turning Point

But something had changed.

I didn’t want to chase bands anymore.


This time, I wanted to teach.

So I did what most teachers do:


I taught adults exactly how I was taught — scales, theory, exercises.

And for 7 years… it was frustration.


For them. For me.


They tried hard. They showed up. But very few could actually sit down and play real songs. The thing they wanted most felt further away than ever.

I knew something had to change.

The Moment It All Made Sense

One day, almost out of desperation, I flipped it. I ditched the drills. I started teaching songs — right from the start.

Small chunks. Played slow. Repeated.

Gold Coast School of Guitar adult students smiling while playing songs together in Carrara studio

And something amazing happened:

  • Smiles showed up.

  • Confidence grew.

  • They actually practiced at home — because it was fun

  • They finally sounded like the songs they loved.

That shift became the foundation of everything I teach today.

Why Gold Coast School of Guitar Exists

Gold Coast School of Guitar adult group lessons in Carrara helping frustrated beginners finally play songs

You don’t need to learn "guitar."


You need to play songs.

At Gold Coast School of Guitar, I help adults 40+ who’ve tried before — and got frustrated — finally play real songs, for fun.

Using my CPR Song-Learning System:

  • Chunk It Down

  • Play It Slow

  • Repetition

We strip away the stuff that makes adults quit.

We focus on simple wins, real songs, and the joy that made you want to pick up a guitar in the first place.

Your Second Chance Starts Now

If you’ve tried before and feel like you’ve failed — you haven’t.


You just haven’t been taught the right way.


Come play your first song in 60 minutes. No experience needed.


Let’s finally make it happen.

A Different Way to Learn Guitar

Most adult beginners don’t need more music theory — they need a way to actually remember the songs they learn.

That’s why I developed the CPR Song-Learning System — a simple 3-step approach:

🧩 Chunk It Down – Break songs into small, manageable sections

🐢 Play It Slow – Stay relaxed and build confidence without the rush

🔁 Repetition – Lock it in so you can play it anytime, anywhere

It’s helped hundreds of people (just like you) go from stuck and frustrated to strumming full songs with ease.

If you’ve tried guitar before and it didn’t stick — this might just be your second chance.

small group adult guitar class Gold Coast
Adults playing easy acoustic guitar songs
Adults practicing guitar
Adults having fun in guitar class for adults
females and male adults learning how to play guitar
Adult guitar learners

👉 Think You Can’t Play Guitar? Watch This…

A quick clip from one of our beginner sessions — see just how simple (and fun) learning guitar can be.

Some Love From Gold Coast School of Guitar Members

Male adult beginner guitar player

Phil Green

"The sessions are easy as they are straight forward, step by step instructions... ""

Smiling female aduilt beginner guitar player Gold Coast

Lisa Seredycz

"It's very easy. Very achievable… even my husband could do this.

Adullt beginner over 55 enjoying playing guitar

Geoff Morgan

"A really easy way to learn new songs!"

Serving the Gold Coast community with my Carrara guitar lessons for adults, close to Nerang, Ashmore, and Robina.

Ready to join a fun, welcoming community and start playing songs you’ll love? Book a free session today and discover how stress-free learning guitar can be!

Schedule a complimentary 1-hour session to see if we’re the perfect fit for your guitar journey. We’ll talk about your playing goals, give you a glimpse of the dynamic group class setting, and let you experience the fun and supportive atmosphere that defines my lessons.

To schedule your free session, simply click the big, orange button below.

No commitment required—just bring your curiosity, your guitar, and a willingness to strum!

Let’s make playing songs for fun your new favourite hobby!

Get In Touch

Address

Studio: 1 Greenbank Circuit, Carrara QLD 4211

Session Times

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 6:00pm

Sat – 9:00am

Phone Number:

0448 620 966

Tap the map above to find us or get directions.

Simple. Fun. Song-Based

Guitar Lessons for Adults 40+

Serving Carrara, Nerang, Merrimac, Worongary, Ashmore, Highland Park and surrounding Gold Coast suburbs.

© 2025 Gold Coast School of Guitar - All Rights Reserved

0448 620 966

1 Greenbank Circuit, Carrara QLD 4211