In-person lessons · Mt Eden, Auckland
Friendly, personalised guitar lessons for children, teenagers and adults. Whether you’re picking up a guitar for the first time or building on what you already know, we’ll work at your pace and learn music you enjoy.
Your first guitar lesson is 45 minutes for $45. If you continue, the $45 is credited towards your next lesson package.
“Joe taught my daughter for 4 years. When he moved studios, we drove an hour each way rather than switch teachers. Guitar is now part of her daily routine, not a chore.”
Complete beginners are welcome. There are guitars at the studio you can use during lessons, so you don’t need your own to get started.
Children, teenagers and adults, from first chords to advanced playing. Lessons are adapted to each student’s age and stage.
Lessons are face to face at my studio in Mt Eden, Central Auckland. The exact address is shared when you book.
Lessons are built around songs you, or your child, actually want to play. It’s the best way to stay motivated.
Who lessons are for
Every student is different, so every lesson is too. Here’s roughly what to expect at each stage.
We build good habits early and learn songs your child recognises and enjoys, with plenty of encouragement along the way. You’re kept in the loop with practice notes after each lesson, so you know how to help at home.
“I sat in on my 8 year old’s first lesson and could see the pure joy on his face. A year and a half later he has some serious talent. Joe is great with kids.”
Whether they want to play along to their favourite songs, learn solos, write their own riffs or play with friends, lessons follow what they’re into. Technique and musical understanding are built in along the way, at a pace that keeps them motivated.
We begin with the basics: holding the guitar comfortably, clean-sounding chords and simple strumming. Then we move at a comfortable pace towards the songs you actually want to play. You’ll play something in your very first lesson.
“Joe got me playing a country song within 4 months with no guitar experience whatsoever.”
If you’ve played for years but keep circling the same material, or you’re coming back after a break, lessons give you a clear plan for your goals, honest feedback on what’s holding you back, and structured work on technique, theory and improvising.
“I taught myself for 35 years and hit a wall. In a few months with Joe I’ve learnt more than in the previous 35 years.”
About your teacher
I teach guitar from my studio in Mt Eden, Auckland, and I’ve been teaching full-time for over ten years. I studied music at university and I’m still an active performing musician, so lessons stay grounded in real playing rather than theory for its own sake.
I teach acoustic and electric guitar across most styles. Rock, blues and metal are my home ground, but every lesson is built around the music you want to play. My students range from five-year-olds picking up a guitar for the first time to adults who have played for decades.
Everyone learns differently, so I explain things in whatever way makes sense to you, and we move at a pace that suits you. If you’d like a feel for how I teach before you get in touch, there’s a short clip below, and plenty more on my YouTube channel.
Getting started
A relaxed chance to meet, talk about what you’d like to get out of playing, and start. No experience needed.
If you decide to continue, the $45 is credited towards a subsequent lesson package. There’s no obligation to book more.
Booking opens my online calendar in a new tab, where you can pick a time that suits you.
What to expect
Lessons are planned around your interests, ability and goals, not a fixed curriculum everyone follows in the same order.
We learn music you actually want to play. Most technique can be taught through real songs, and it keeps practice enjoyable.
Good habits, clean technique and a growing understanding of how music works, developed at a pace that suits you.
You leave every lesson knowing exactly what to practise and why, with notes after each lesson and links to any resources we used.
Prices
All lessons are in person at my Mt Eden studio. Prices are in New Zealand dollars. Casual lessons are booked one at a time; four- and ten-lesson packages bring the cost per lesson down.
Just you and me, with the whole lesson focused on your playing.
| Lesson | Casual lesson | Four lessons | Ten lessons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private, 30 minutes | $60 | $220$55 each | $520$52 each |
| Private, 45 minutes | $85 | $320$80 each | $750$75 each |
Group lessons are for students who book together with a friend, sibling or family member. Prices shown are per student.
| Lesson | Casual lesson | Four lessons | Ten lessons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group, 30 minutes, per student | $50 | $185$46.25 each | $440$44 each |
| Group, 45 minutes, per student | $70 | $270$67.50 each | $630$63 each |
Book your first guitar lesson: 45 minutes for $45. If you continue, the $45 is credited towards a subsequent lesson package. Questions first? Send an enquiry and I’ll get back to you.
Joe taught my daughter for 4 years. When he moved studios, we drove an hour each way rather than switch teachers. Guitar is now part of her daily routine, not a chore.
I sat in on my 8 year old’s first lesson and could see the pure joy on his face. A year and a half later he has some serious talent. Joe is great with kids.
Both my kids learn with Joe. He adapts his teaching to bring the best out of each of them.
Joe got me playing a country song within 4 months with no guitar experience whatsoever.
I’ve had lessons from others in the past, but learnt so much more in a short time with Joe. You won’t find a better teacher, whether you’re a beginner or improving your technique.
One of the best teachers I’ve ever had in 20 years of playing. He phrases difficult concepts in a way that’s easy to understand, and knows when to switch things up. I’ve far surpassed the level I was at before.
I taught myself for 35 years and hit a wall. In a few months with Joe I’ve learnt more than in the previous 35 years. Not just blindly learning shapes, but actually understanding how scales and chords work together.
FAQ
Ideally, yes. You’ll need one to practise between lessons, and that’s where the real progress happens. There are guitars at the studio you can use during lessons, though, so don’t let not owning one yet stop you from starting. I’m happy to advise on what to buy.
Children from age 5, teenagers, and adults of all ages and levels.
Yes. Complete beginners are welcome, and the first lesson is designed for exactly that. We start with the basics and you’ll play something before you leave.
Yes, you’re welcome to sit in, especially for the first lesson. After each lesson you’ll also get practice notes so you know what your child is working on and how to help at home.
At my studio in Mt Eden, Central Auckland. The exact address is shared when you book.
Availability changes through the year, so the quickest way to find out is to send an enquiry with the days and times that suit you. I’m also expanding my teaching on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so do ask if either of those would work for you.
We talk about your goals, I see where you’re at, and we start playing. You leave with a clear plan, a personalised two-week practice plan and your first set of practice notes. If you’re a beginner, you’ll play something in the first lesson. More about the first lesson.
Yes, both. Lessons cover whatever style you want to play, from acoustic songs to rock, blues and metal.
24 hours’ notice to reschedule or get a refund. Life happens, just let me know as early as you can.
Yes. I teach one-to-one lessons over Zoom for students who aren’t in Auckland, and I also have online courses and coaching. See online learning below.
Use the enquiry form below or email info@joemacedoguitar.com. If you’re ready to go, you can book your first lesson online.
Get in touch
Ask about available days and times, or anything else you’d like to know before booking. For children’s lessons, please use a parent or guardian’s contact details.
Online learning
Zoom lessons, self-paced courses and coaching for players anywhere, built from the same teaching as my in-person lessons.
Live lessons over Zoom for students outside Auckland, or anyone who prefers to learn from home. Book a time through my online calendar.
Book an online lessonLearn to improvise guitar solos. Every pentatonic position broken down note by note and connected across the whole neck, in a clear step-by-step order, so you can solo anywhere, in any key, without getting stuck.
Start the courseLearn AC/DC’s Highway to Hell from the first chord to the final note, including the solo, with practice videos at multiple speeds and a progress checklist. Finish with one complete song and a process for learning any song after it.
Start the courseA personalised, week-by-week practice plan written for you after watching you play, so you always know exactly what to work on and why.
Learn about the practice planTwelve weeks of one-to-one lead guitar coaching for intermediate players who are serious about breaking through a plateau.
Learn about the 90-Day IntensiveYou’ll also find free lessons and tutorials on my YouTube channel.