It all started with a red Squier.
I first picked up the guitar when I was 12 years old. I was a kid with a red Squier and a dream of playing like Green Day, Metallica, and a local band in the Netherlands called "de Heideroosjes."
I quickly fell in love with the guitar, and spent my teenage years in bands, gigging and always with a guitar in my hands.
I went on to study music with a minor in teaching the guitar at Rotterdam Conservatory, and then split my time between playing live shows and one-on-one coaching, working with students of all ages and abilities.
I loved teaching, and decided that I wanted to share some of the concepts and ideas that inspired me to practice, and which really helped the students I was teaching.
So I launched a channel on YouTube, at first just sharing backing tracks, song tutorials and some basic tips.
It grew faster and reached more people than I could ever possibly have imagined, and today it has hundreds of in-depth video lessons with over half a billion views and almost 4 million subscribers.
In 2018 I decided to launch "Learn, Practice, Play," my first online guitar course, which provided a complete roadmap for beginner guitarists.
I had no idea what to expect, but the response and feedback were fantastic. The course helped thousands of students learn the guitar, and make more progress and have more fun than ever before.
I started to get requests for courses for intermediate guitarists, acoustic players, and on topics like looping and improvisation.
I've since launched 5 courses that have helped over 100,000 students improve their technique, build their confidence and deepen their love of the guitar.
I've also had the chance to write and produce my own music, record with wonderful artists like Mike Shinoda from Linkin Park, and jam with and interview world-class guitarists and musicians like Julian Lage, Dominic Miller and Jacob Collier.
In the last 10 years my life has totally changed, thanks to an amazing community of guitarists from all over the world who've supported me along the way.
Learning the guitar has enriched my life immensely, and I hope that it will do the same for you.
Thanks so much for joining me on the journey.
Cheers,
Paul