What people are saying.

  • Allen is not only an accomplished player but he is a gifted teacher. One may say to oneself: “I will never be able to do that!” but his program helps one want to try and to trust that there is logic and benefit from some of the challenging technique exercises.

    Ron McFarland

  • I have been a student with CGS since 2018 and absolutely love it. The team is exceptionally helpful and each lesson/course is broken down into great detail. By far the best online course. I love this team and will be signing up for another three years!

    Charles Cottrell

  • If you have an interest in learning Classical Guitar I very strongly recommend ClassicalGuitarShed. I’ve played guitar for many years and decided to take up classical a couple of years ago. this course/program has been perfect. Very well thought out course, can be done at your own pace, and you get great support.

    Bruce Arthur

  • I purchased a lifetime subscription to Classical Guitar Shed years ago. Even though I have now fallen away from playing due to arthritis in hands, I continue to enjoy looking through the lessons and the Saturday Zoom sessions. I’ve studied with many classical guitar teachers. Allen’s style and clarity stand out.

    Edward M

“I just wanted to thank you. I played classical guitar in high school and college – then life got in the way and I stopped playing for 25 years. I picked it back up 6 months ago and luckily stumbled across your website. It’s been such an amazing resource for me to get my old skills back. Thank you so much!!! I also want to say that as a Ph.D. in learning science, your methods are spot on!“

With gratitude,

Kimberly Berens, Ph.D.
Founder – Fit Learning
Author of Blind Spots: Why Students Fail and the Science that Can Save Them

Reviews from Professional Teachers

  • GARY PASSER, RETIRED EDUCATOR

    Let me say that I think yours is the best organized of the online guitar courses (of any type) that I’ve seen. As a retired educator myself, I really appreciate all of the thought you’ve put into creating a path for playing classical music effectively. So many threads weaving together. Nicely done!

    GARY PASSER, RETIRED EDUCATOR

  • I am a classically trained professional clarinetist and a music therapist who has taught over 40 years. Your program is so organized and methodical! It is just fabulous. It’s very organized and very well put together!

    SUE POLANSKY, 40-YEAR TEACHER

  • What an unbelievably thorough and expansive site this is! Being recently retired after teaching music for 50 years, I have to say I’m very impressed! If I had seen this years ago, it would’ve made me a better teacher!

    DOUG ACKERSON, RETIRED MUSIC TEACHER

  • Being a university professor and scientist all my professional life, I must congratulate you for being such a terrific, patient, and inspiring teacher. I enjoy your teaching and I’ve found a great deal of joy learning from you. Many thanks for setting up this terrific online course.

    TIEN-HSIEN CHANG, UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR

  • You continue to hold my interest as a music teacher and player. I really appreciate the ideas that you offer around how we learn and how we get in the way of our own learning. Refreshing! Bravo. You are a teacher’s teacher and offer valuable insights into the learning process and I thank you.

    LAUSANNE ALLEN, MUSIC TEACHER

  • I’m really learning through using your lessons. I was an elementary teacher for 30 years and tried and tested many new, weird and wonderful educational methods in the course of my career. Very few actually ‘walked the talk’. I place your philosophy and methods among the august few that actually do.

    KEVIN DALY, RETIRED ELEMENTARY TEACHER

What people are saying.

  • Allen is not only an accomplished player but he is a gifted teacher. One may say to oneself: “I will never be able to do that!” but his program helps one want to try and to trust that there is logic and benefit from some of the challenging technique exercises.

    Ron McFarland

  • I have been a student with CGS since 2018 and absolutely love it. The team is exceptionally helpful and each lesson/course is broken down into great detail. By far the best online course. I love this team and will be signing up for another three years!

    Charles Cottrell

  • If you have an interest in learning Classical Guitar I very strongly recommend ClassicalGuitarShed. I’ve played guitar for many years and decided to take up classical a couple of years ago. this course/program has been perfect. Very well thought out course, can be done at your own pace, and you get great support.

    Bruce Arthur

  • I purchased a lifetime subscription to Classical Guitar Shed years ago. Even though I have now fallen away from playing due to arthritis in hands, I continue to enjoy looking through the lessons and the Saturday Zoom sessions. I’ve studied with many classical guitar teachers. Allen’s style and clarity stand out.

    Edward M

  • Outstanding course. I tried another before CGS and it was not as supportive or friendly. Allen’s videos are outstanding and full of advice. The support team is great, with emails, video chat opportunities are amazing. You can progress at your own pace, and go back to review previous courses at any time. I even have an accountability partner, who is like a friend I have know for a long time.

    Debbie Turner

  • I am a retired music (Orchestra) teacher. If I had encountered Allen decades ago I would have been an even better teacher. The material is extremely well thought out, comprehensive, and interesting. The “practice buddy” option brought me a new friend. The monthly opportunity to play for one another online is great, and a very supportive group. Includes a large database of well edited, graduated pieces to download. A truly remarkable resource!

    Doug Ackerson

  • This is the most enjoyable learning experience I’ve ever had. The studies are fun, and each aspect of playing is covered in excellent detail, always with the idea that learning to practice correctly doesn’t need to be boring. The pieces are great, even the simplest ones become challenging when learning the nuances. Awesome program!

    Jim Reynolds

  • I joined Classical Guitar Shed several years ago. I had been trying to teach myself through books and You tube videos. I would hit a wall and give up when I didn’t improve. Finally, I found a few of Allen Mathew’s videos. His ability to convey concepts in a variety of ways helped me make my decision to join the Classical Guitar Shed program. The program levels helped me see what exactly I needed to do to grow my practice. They present concepts in great detail with supportive videos and access to feedback.

    Lynn Norwood

  • Having looked into various online courses and having made use of Allen’s many free lessons I chose to subscribe and have been following the course for about 11 months. It is definitely well worth the money if you are trying to learn classical guitar alone at home. It has a great structure and a huge amount of content. Also a friendly and supportive Facebook group. I’m very impressed and would recommend it without hesitation as long as you are able to discipline yourself to follow the lessons.

    Trevor Martin Sears

  • All the tools are available for you in the form of videos and instructions. Allen and his team are great to work with and provide appropriate feedback (positive or negative) to help you improve your playing skills. ‘Open Mike’ and ‘Question and Answer’ sessions are held monthly and are a great help is sharing your personal playing concerns and watching other play. Just by watching others is a great way to learn technique and form for playing classical guitar. I would highly recommend this for anyone trying to learn to play.

    Albert Stockalis

  • You want to learn to play classical guitar(or any style) with technical proficiency?…with expressive clarity? You want to develop your repertoire in a logical way from simple pieces to the increasingly complex and beautiful works by the masters? You’re a beginner like I was and don’t know how to start, or have been playing for many years and have doubts on WHAT or HOW to practice? You want real people to give you feedback, and not a Youtube Warner Brothers character? You want value for money? Look no further. You have arrived. So lift your rear end and join!

    Mario Cabot

  • I stumbled upon Allen’s video in 2013 and I realized that I found myself a great teacher. Later on I became a lifelong member of the Classical Guitar Shed. I think that this is one of the best decisions I made for my life. The team are always engaged in helping me become a better guitarist. They are constantly updating materials and providing new space for people to learn and play. I truly recommend anyone who is interested in seeking to excel in their guitar experience. This is definitely the best for me.

    Stephen Dass

  • Outstanding course. I tried another before CGS and it was not as supportive or friendly. Allen’s videos are outstanding and full of advice. The support team is great, with emails, video chat opportunities are amazing. You can progress at your own pace, and go back to review previous courses at any time. I even have an accountability partner, who is like a friend I have know for a long time.

    Debbie Turner

  • If you’re not going to take private lessons, the Classical Guitar Shed is the next best resource. And for those taking private lessons the CGS has voluminous resources that no personal instructor could ever offer in your study. If you look up online guitar lessons, CGS will always appear at the top or near the top of ratings. You will not go wrong with your choice of the Classical Guitar Shed!

    KC Jones

  • Allen is not only an accomplished player but he is a gifted teacher. One may say to oneself: “I will never be able to do that!” but his program helps one want to try and to trust that there is logic and benefit from some of the challenging, yet boring, technique exercises.

    Ron McFarland

  • CGS is a treasure mine of actually applicable material. I began the course several months ago and I find it to be very thorough and well structured, unlike other programs I researched which are less so. CGS suits me well, not only because Alan teaches step by step in levels that cover precisely what I need in order to progress, but the real gem is his attention to detail, especially how we interact and use our attention while practicing. I could almost say his is a “from the inside out” approach. I never, ever feel I’m wasting a second of my valuable time.

    Bryan Shaw

  • I am a retired music (Orchestra) teacher. If I had encountered Allen decades ago I would have been an even better teacher. The material is extremely well thought out, comprehensive, and interesting. The “practice buddy” option brought me a new friend. The monthly opportunity to play for one another online is great, and a very supportive group. Includes a large database of well edited, graduated pieces to download.This is a truly remarkable resource!

    Doug Ackerson

  • I am a retiree and the Classical Guitar Shed has provided me with just the right place to learn and develop classical guitar skills at my own pace. Allen’s course materials and videos are well presented. His explanations and demonstrations are clear and easy to follow. Anyone, not just retirees, wishing to play the classical guitar should consider the Classical Guitar Shed. You will be pleased! By the way, my wife is a retired teacher. As the room I practice in is also her sewing room, she has frequently listened in as I progress through the CGS program levels. She has told me that Allen’s teaching techniques and abilities are those of an exemplary teacher.

    Peter Carucci

  • I joined the “shed” 2 years ago and can heartily recommend it. Allen and his team teach all the fundamentals you need to learn to play classical guitar. Yes, it’s hard, but they will help you every step of the way. I’ve been enjoying the experience and love having goals to obtain. All the courses are very well presented and easy to understand. You won’t regret it. Money well spent!

    Marsha Werman

  • For those wishing to dip into the world of Classical Guitar this ‘Shed’ contains a wealth of courses covering any CG topic or question you may wish to address. For those wishing to start CG from scratch or who have lost their way in the myriad of books, DVDs, YouTube videos, online courses etc. etc.; the ‘Woodshed’ offers a safe place to hide away and begin again or hone your skills to as high a level as you can or want to achieve. It also includes online one to one access to three of the most genuine, knowledgeable, friendly and reliable people on the planet.

    Andrew Hynes

  • Allen Mathews “Classical Guitar Shed” is exception, on-line teaching forum. The level of detail on every aspect of learning how to approach the study of the classical guitar is so complete, so thoughtful, and so useful that it makes all other on-line forums appear rushed and childish in approach. I have been a student for two years; I have no talent really. In the face of that, I have learned enough to be able to almost play classical music in a pleasing way…to others. I will continue my studies as long as I am able. I began at 74 and am now 76. This program/site is worthy of the concept in the word “excellent” in every respect, without qualification.

    Michael Cooley

  • I really like Allen’s style of teaching on the videos. He’s very easy to understand and follow and not overly serious or excessively aiming for perfection like some other teaching websites I’ve tried before this one. I went back and started the program at the beginning as he recommends and I do believe this has helped me get the fundamentals correct. I enjoy the selection of pieces which are not just the common ones you see all the time.

    David Barnard

  • A very comprehensive, well thought out programme for learning how to play the classical guitar. Allen and Zac are accessible and encouraging and keep the site active. There are also many study courses and access to a vast library of well edited scores. Thoroughly recommended.

    Mr Peter Smith

  • I have been enrolled in the Classicalguitarshed.com program for 15 months. My experience is nothing less than positive. I get out of the program what I put in. If I’m available to practice and work on the skills, I grow quickly. If I can only haphazardly practice, I don’t. Allen and staff a quick to answer questions as they arise. Allen’s videos are extremely helpful as an aid to improving. I highly recommend for anyone.

    Lance Ronas

  • I like Classical Guitar Shed, their teaching style matches my needs very well. I do like the manner in which material is presented, the website does need some improvement and I expect it will happen over time. The instructor and staff are great. Thank You

    Gregory Larson

  • Everything I could hope for from an online classical guitar program – organized, progressive, lots of tools, as much personal attention as I care to seek out. I looked into a number of other programs, and this one was the real standout for me. Allen is extremely personable and encouraging in his videos and zoom calls, and makes me feel as if it’s all possible. I can progress at the rate that is right for me, and move on when I feel ready. This course provides the technique basis that was lacking before from trying to teach myself from method books (and I have a LOT of them!) Love the materials, love the staff, love my accountability partner that helps me solve problems and keeps me motivated.

    Elizabeth Turner

  • This program is thoughtfully designed to teach the different skills that you need to learn in an order and progression that really works. The CGS offers so many classes on technique as well as specific pieces. I highly recommend this course! you will not be disappointed.

    Connie Imboden

  • Enrolling in the Classical Guitar Shed has been a great investment. The online course study takes a student from the basics to advanced levels by following videos supplemented by interactions with teachers. I failed trying to teach myself but am advancing with CGS. The covers just about everything a classical guitar student needs to know.

    Peter Spencer

  • I have totally loved my time with the Classical Guitar Shed. I am an experienced classical musician, but a total beginner on guitar. I appreciate the module format since I’m not able to commit to a regular lesson time. This way I can move at my own pace. The videos are very helpful and I feel like I’m developing solid technique. I also appreciate the chance to participate in zoom chats and recitals(!), plus the opportunity to send a video for advice if I need it. I absolutely recommend Classical Guitar Shed. It’s an awesome program!

    Lisa Wulf

  • It’s a great program with an abundance of material to work on, learn from, and be inspired by. In addition to that, subscribers get advice and help and can send in recordings for review (and get videos with comments and advice back). The content is continuously being updated and expanded. I had issues with my subscription once but that was cleared up fast and without any fuss at all. The whole team is very friendly and professional. In short: The Woodshed program is well worth the subscription.

    Judith Dennis