Starting from scratch
Learn tuning, first chords, rhythm and a complete piece without being buried in theory.
Beginner lessons →LIVE · PRIVATE · ACROSS NEW ZEALAND
Learn the guitar you want to play—without guessing what to practise next.
Private one-to-one online guitar lessons built around your current ability, favourite music and real-life schedule.
Enquire free · Payment is due once your lesson time is confirmed
One studentOne consistent teacherLive feedbackClear practice planFrom NZ$40
Start where you actually are.
Returning after a break
Rebuild confidence, repair gaps and make limited practice time count.
Adult lessons →
Playing but stuck
Diagnose the plateau, connect the fretboard and turn fragments into complete music.
Intermediate lessons →THE CORE DIFFERENCE
You do not need more random guitar information. You need the right next step.
01
Play first
Your teacher watches and listens to what is happening now—not what a generic course assumes.
02
Fix the bottleneck
Get one clear adjustment before a small issue becomes a frustrating habit.
03
Know what to do next
Finish with a focused practice plan sized to the time you really have.
Tell Riff City What You Want to Play ↗Usually takes about two minutes
ONE STUDENT. ONE TEACHER.
A lesson that changes when you need it to.
Videos, apps and courses can provide useful information. They cannot hear your timing, see tension in your hands or change the explanation while you play. A live teacher can.
See why private lessons work →Music chosen around your interests
Immediate answers and correction
Technique explained in musical context
Permission to slow down or move ahead
Continuity from one week to the next
No rotating tutors or irrelevant modules
A SENSIBLE FIRST MONTH
What progress can look like
No guaranteed timelines. Just a clear, adaptable sequence based on your starting point.
- WEEK 01Establish your starting point
Set up, tune, play something comfortable and identify the first useful target.
- WEEK 02Make one change stick
Work on the highest-impact movement, rhythm or understanding gap.
- WEEK 03Put it into music
Apply the skill inside a riff, groove, chord progression or song section.
- WEEK 04Review and choose what is next
Keep what is working, repair what is not and build the next practice plan.
Three simple steps. Enquire free.
- Tell Riff City what you want to play.Share your ability, interests and what currently feels difficult.
- Confirm the right lesson length.Ask questions first. Choose 30, 45 or 60 minutes, then pay once your lesson time is confirmed.
- Meet live online.Play, get immediate feedback and leave with a clear next step.
EXPERIENCE WITHOUT THE EGO
Practical teaching. Real music. No hand-offs.
Riff City lessons are taught by an experienced New Zealand guitarist who studied jazz guitar at Massey University and has extensive playing, songwriting and recording experience.
Your teacher has played with members of Fat Freddy’s Drop, The Black Seeds and TrinityRoots. The approach is patient, practical and centred around making real music.
About the teaching approach →Riff City is likely right for you if…
You want live feedback rather than another video library.
You value patient, individual teaching over a fixed syllabus.
You want to play music you actually listen to.
You are willing to practise a focused next step between lessons.
It may not be the right fit if you only want a free course, a group class or a specialist classical, flamenco or metal programme.
PRIVATE LESSON PRICES · NZD
Choose the time your goals need.
Every option is live and one-to-one. No large prepaid package. Enquire before deciding.
30 minutes
NZ$40Complete beginners, focused troubleshooting or students with limited time.
Ask about 30 minutes →45 minutes
NZ$55The best balance of playing, feedback, new material and a clear practice plan.
Ask about 45 minutes →60 minutes
NZ$75Technique, improvisation, songwriting, theory or several learning goals.
Ask about 60 minutes →Compare lesson options and value →All prices in NZD · Private live online tuition
ENQUIRE BEFORE YOU COMMIT
Find Your Best Next Step ↗No free-trial gimmick. No large prepaid package.
Ask questions, explain your goals and check whether the teaching style and lesson length suit you. Enquiries are free. Payment is due once your lesson time is confirmed.
USEFUL BEFORE YOU BUY
Browse the free learning library →Get help even if you are not ready for lessons.
Questions before your first lesson
Can online guitar lessons really work?+
Yes. A well-positioned camera lets your teacher see both hands, posture and movement. Live audio reveals timing, clarity and dynamics. Screen sharing, demonstrations and focused lesson notes support the work between sessions.
Am I too old to start?+
No. Adults often bring clearer musical taste and better self-awareness. Lessons can move at your pace and work around limited time.
What if I am nervous playing for someone?+
That is normal. The lesson is not a performance or test. It is a private working session designed to locate the next helpful adjustment.
Do I need expensive equipment?+
No. You need a playable guitar, internet connection and a phone, tablet or computer. Headphones are optional.
Will I be locked into a package?+
No. You can enquire before choosing a lesson, and no large prepaid package is required.
What do you want to play next?
Tell Riff City where you are, what you listen to and what keeps getting in the way. Your teacher will help you work out a sensible next step.
Find Your Best Next Step ↗Enquire free · Pay once your lesson time is confirmed · No large package