Guitar Pedagogue and Performance Therapist LLCM(TD). Take your playing and understanding of the guitar to the next level. Qualified, experienced, professional guitar lessons tailored to the individual

As a 69 year old, I came to Gary one year ago with no knowledge of musical theory and no previous experience with guitars, hoping to learn to play the electric bass. He gave me lessons for approximately a year and now I am ‘hooked’ and driven to better myself both practically and on the theory.
In his personal life, Gary is extremely driven and disciplined and has undertaken various and varied routes to work on an holistic approach to his playing incorporating body and mind. His empathetic teaching style means that he can relate directly to his pupils and find a solution to their difficulties because he has experienced the same but has the ability to remember that and communicate possible solutions. He is very patient and allows the pupil to drive the lesson in many instances. He can stimulate self learning subliminally with a piece of information that can be left hanging tantalisingly to the curious!
I recommend Gary because I believe a pupil cannot fail to enjoy and progress with his interaction and teaching. His ability to appreciate, understand and find a solution to a perceived difficulty is second to none and his way of engaging the pupil means learning happens almost without you knowing.

Les Smith, age 64, acoustic, electric, bass guitar.

I approached Gary in 2015, as a complete beginner, with the desire to take a new learning challenge into retirement having been inspired by the progress my son was making taking music lessons with Gary.

Since those first lessons I was confident that Gary had the interest, skill, and patience to adapt his teaching methods to match my learning process and over time I have continued to develop some playing success, learnt to read music, and have a new appreciation of music theory that has incidentally transformed the listening experience of my music collection.

Live lessons were always my preference as I was never sure where the conversations would take us over the allotted time, but having now achieved confidence in my learning process that allows me to explore new music challenges, I now periodically dip into Gary’s video recording service to seek clarity when required.

I have recommended Gary to friends starting their new journey into playing guitar, and they now share my enthusiasm and appreciation of his lessons. I could not recommend him highly enough as an online guitar pedagogue of the highest calibre.

I started learning to play the guitar about 6 years ago. I was retired, in my mid-Sixties and had no musical background whatsoever. The whole concept of taking up the guitar was therefore daunting and challenging, to put it mildly. I didn't really know where to start but Gary was recommended to me by a mutual acquaintance and we've worked together continuously ever since. 

Gary recognised my trepidation (fear?) and immediately put me at my ease. He's a very good listener and he pitched all his teaching at an appropriate level for me. He tailors his teaching around the needs of the learner and can pick up very quickly what I'm finding difficult and then recommend skills and practices to help me understand what is required to help me improve. Additionally, and as a very accomplished guitarist himself, he is technically very sound and able to teach good technique to guitarists of all ability. He insured that I developed good habits from the outset. This has subsequently helped me considerably.

Over the years I've been with Gary he has developed his ICT skills to a high level. This means that he now records all his lessons with me and then sends me a recording afterwards. This allows me to go over everything again (and again and again, if necessary!) At my age, I find this very helpful and the quality and precision of the recordings is first class.

My guitar playing and my understanding of musical theory have both improved considerably thanks to Gary's efforts and I have no hesitation in recommending him as a tutor. While I had no meaningful background in music, I spent 33 years as a teacher/headteacher in a secondary school and I would have loved to have had Gary on my teaching staff.
I'm very happy to recommend Gary to any guitarist, regardless of experience or ability.

Athol Garden

"Gary is an accomplished musician with impressive depth and breadth of knowledge. More importantly he is erudite but at the same time very considerate and patient in his guidance. Through him I have seen how progress accrues from a unique blend of motivation, discipline and technique, and Gary has provided unique and valuable insight into these areas.

‘When the student is ready the teacher appears.’ Lao Tzu.

I am fortunate to have met Gary - albeit at a relatively late stage of my musical journey. Despite a short period of association to date, I feel that there has been a very noticeable and satisfying improvement in my guitar playing."

Aamir Qureshi. Dec 2023

Being a classical guitarist and teacher myself, I can fully recommend Gary as a guitar teacher. Gary has a thorough understanding of the body anatomy and has applied it to develop and teach an efficient guitar technique. I also trust that he is a very supportive teacher, adapting his style to the specific needs of his students to help them develop and thrive!

Alya Sorensen, 39, engineer working full time and somewhat exhausted parent of four noisy but lovely kids. Studying classical guitar with Gary Campbell, weekly online lessons. I’m a beginner, four months journey so far and counting! Sofia, my daughter, is taking her guitar lessons with Gary too.

Not only have I started to learn to play guitar but I have learned wonderful mindfulness practices experienced through Gary’s teaching. Guitar was an instrument I loved but feared for a long time due to my past failed attempts to learn it, with tape on blistered fingers and complete inability to comprehend multiple techniques on “learn to play guitar in a month” apps. Gary changed all that.

In in my childhood, I had an unpleasant experience with full-time music school, where I learned to play piano for 7 years and then slammed the lid on the day of graduation exam and never touched the thing again. I didn’t like the teaching, I hated practicing, the whole music school journey was a complete disaster in my case. I have very vague memories about notations and music terminology, let alone playing the instrument. It took me over 20 years to come back to music and I am so lucky I met Gary Campbell on this journey now. I actually started to take lessons together with my 8yo daughter, Sofia, who was really excited to start learning the guitar after someone from her school had recommended Gary “the great teacher who is really inventive in teaching guitar”. The impression from the first lesson was jaw dropping and eye opening – I was asked what I like about the guitar sound and why do I want to learn it. I was promised no pain and no blisters – Gary knew the tricks. It was the most therapeutic, caring, and empathetic teaching/learning practice which I have ever experienced.
My guitar learning journey became a little more than just learning to play the instrument. From the beginning I got immersed into the mindfulness aspect of it – the touch of the string, the weight and shape of the guitar, the sound it creates, the relaxed posture and position of my hands .. I am learning to love music again and I literally adore every lesson I take. It hasn’t become a chore or a strenuous practice at any point of my learning journey.
I practice (or as we call it – explore) my guitar 5-10 minutes a day most of the days. I revoke memories of music terminology with Gary, but for Sofia learning it from scratch is going just as fast. Gary has special techniques up his sleeve for teaching children and adults, and I love to see that Sofia’s interest to music doesn’t fade.
Gary’s complete compassionate and totally individual approach just makes it work. Both Sofia and I are absolutely looking forward to every lesson and I can't thank Gary more for allowing Sofia and myself to explore our love for music and learning the guitar at our own pace with tailored approach.
We have our lessons recorded and Sofia and I really enjoy re-watching the videos and refreshing the practices that Gary shares with us during the lessons. I couldn’t recommend this way of learning to play guitar more and feel that we are the luckiest students to have met Gary on our learning journey at the right time.

Gary is a great teacher that has a detailed insight into the instrument and pedagogy!

Gary has helped my 11 daughter with managing her hypermobility, which was starting to affect her ability to play the guitar. The lessons were very flexible and tailored to my daughter's needs and learning style. Great experience.

I have had the privilege of being a student of Gary Campbell for the past 6 months and I can confidently say that studying under his guidance has been an incredibly rewarding experience.

Studying with Gary Campbell via video lessons has been a game-changer for my musical journey. His expertise, coupled with the option to record the lessons for later review, has immensely deepened my learning experience.

Gary’s teaching method goes beyond technical skills. One of the aspects I appreciate most is his commitment to delve deeply into each piece, unravelling its emotional and historical context. This profound understanding of musical interpretation has not only enhanced my current repertoire but has equipped me with the tools for approaching future pieces.

Thanks to Gary I have reached a pivotal milestone - acceptance into the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. His guidance played a significant role in my successful audition, a testament to his exceptional teaching which I am immensely grateful for.

For anyone seeking a teacher who not only instils technical proficiency but also nurtures a deep understanding of musical interpretation and expression. Gary Campbell is undoubtedly the ideal mentor. His approach will not only refine your current repertoire but will also serve as a guiding light for your musical journey ahead.

I have known Gary for 8 years now and I think he's a great person and teacher. His methodical approach leaves nothing unchecked. You can't go wrong studying with him. He'll guide you on the road to become a better person and musician.