Hi, I'm Aaron, and over the years I've been helping humble Kiwis do what they want to do without all the fuss, hype, or cost. This includes helping late starters learn guitar in a way that feels relaxed, achievable, and genuinely enjoyable. No pressure, no theory overload, and no goal of becoming a virtuoso — let's just learn the songs you love and make steady, rewarding progress at your own pace.
Alongside guitar coaching on Auckland’s North Shore, I continue to support aspiring home studio hobbyists across New Zealand. Whether you’re claiming your first recording space (I see you, empty nesters) or wondering if your old gear fits with modern computer recording, I help take the mystery and cost out of producing your own music.
Most of us left our rockstar aspirations behind years ago and discovered there are far better reasons to make music: challenge, creativity, enjoyment, connection, and the satisfaction of steadily getting better at something.
I'm about removing barriers, because making music or playing games should be possible for anyone, rather than intimidating - whether you're strumming your first chord or installing a new game.
About...
WARNING
Here comes the novel
(When working with a client I prefer to only focus on you, so I guess this gets the me part out of the way ahead of time)
Guitar-wise
I've had a blast playing hundreds of live gigs over the years across Wellington and Auckland. In both originals and covers bands.
I've recorded around 100 of my original songs over the years, with bands and alone (doing the human octopus multi-instrument thing).
Have heard my guitar work on radio charts and on TV.
(Check out track 2 of this playlist to hear Clarke Gayford introducing one of my songs.)
We even came second in the Wellington regional finals of the Battle of the Bands way back in the day.
Studio-wise
I started my first home studio in the 90's.
I’ve also worked extensively with Kiwi musicians helping them learn home recording and music production.
Servicing clients from Northland to Gisborne to Otago - Some famous, many simply regular Kiwis wanting to capture their creativity.
Some people may also know me through my Indigo Oak Studio work.
Check out some of the songs I've recorded in bedrooms, basements, lounges and warehouses over the years.
Have recorded and spent time in fancy commecial studios too.
Including this one time at NZ's most famous studio presenting along with a bunch of famous engineers and producers
Tech & Coaching-wise
I've been leaning into my creative, technical, and people focused ways since an early age.
I was programing my first games on dad's System 80 when I was 6 years old
Went to Central Institute of Technology in Heritonga and studied Software Engineering, then Victoria to study Composition and Film
While at an AI HealthTech organisation I built medical record systems for healthcare providers across Canada, Australia and NZ including New Zealand Defence Force
My teenage bedroom kinda summed me up: 1,000 CDs, C++ and C# reference books, and a computer for recording and programming.
Worked for New Zealands leading consumer electronics retailer.
From the shop floor to installing and coaching customers to use their new technology to category manager to working directly with factory to design and develop consumer tech and audio products for Kiwis
I managed many product categories over the years including Audio, Gaming.
Even helped develop and tune Whalfdale's Versa speaker
The owner Whalfdale brand invited me to see the speaker I helped develop, which he displayed amongst his collection of super rich person things
Having strong technical acumen and empathy helps me work very well with anyone at any level and from various backgrounds
I adapt the technical and non-technical language to suit my audience
I'm passionate about opening doors and helping people get started. If you're also passionate, we'll get throught it
As well as coaching loads of musicians, I've also taught intermediate students, and am a Scout leader. I’ve coached people of most ages, with my oldest client to date being 85.
Setting up for class at Auckland Normal Intermediate
Here's what some people say...
"I am a very old geezer slash Luddite and have recently hired Aaron to help me with tech issues related to home recording...his quiet non judgemental teaching style and his extensive knowledge of recording etc has been a revelation.......getting creative in your later years is so important to mental wellbeing and Aarons the man to help you achieve your goals...." - Chrys B (Musician)
"I called Aaron in to give me some advice on a new home studio I am setting up. His input was integral to making the right choice with room treatments, gear, layout and more. I highly recommend using his services and also buying gear from him (great recommendations and prices). I will definitely be using his services again!" - Lien C (Music Producer)
"I’m very happy with the content of the course. Aaron’s teaching is well organised and presented. Super nice guy! I will continue my studies with him! Highly recommended to all." - Joey P (Musican)
"After a lot of research, I ended up buying a home studio package from Aaron, and I am super happy with the result. Not only is it quality equipment at a reasonable price, but you also get 2 hours of setup and training time with Aaron himself. This is huge if you are a novice like me. Aaron was able to get me up and running on my laptop, in my own home, making quality vocal recordings to backing tracks in a way that I could easily understand. I wouldn't have done it any other way. Great service." - Ben W (Singer)
"Thank you, Aaron for your expert and professional advice. You have already helped a lot and I appreciated your calm but enthusiastic approach. Really felt like you were on my side and wanting to help. There’s so much info out there about home studios it’s hard to know how to get started. You cut through all that with great practical advice. Thank you. No doubt you’ll be hearing more from me as I progress. Highly recommended." - Simon J (Songwriter)
“Great buying experience. Aaron replies quickly to emails and inquiries. i had an issue with an Aston mic that I bought from him, but he went out of his way to sort me out. The mic came back good as new.” - Dex B (Musician)
“Aaron has a rare grasp of the technical aspect of recording. He was brilliant at maximising sound combinations available from my current gear, and also really easy to work with. It was great to be able to tap into his knowledge. 5/5” - Andy K (Professional musician 10+ years)
"Aaron, thank you so very much for your support and generosity - Marty and I are truly grateful!" - Reuben (Radio13)
"Amazing service extremely knowledgeable and thorough does a excellent job highly recommend 10/10" - Riordan M (Game Streamer)
"Great in depth knowledge of the whole recording life cycle and has an excellent ability to explain difficult processes and concepts in simple terms. Got great advice on acoustic and sound reinforcement for the studio to aid the recording process as well. Highly recommend Aaron to anyone setting up a studio or looking to learn the art of recording and production." - Mark B (Musician)"
I got to ask all the questions I needed to ask regarding the basics of recording audio into my DAW. Everything was explained clearly and with good examples. Great value for my money" - Alejandro C (Musician)
"I've been collaborating musically with Aaron for many years now and I have found him unrivaled in terms of dedication and passion towards any project. In songwriting and production he has a fantastic ear for dynamics and structure, and as an engineer has absolute tenacity and patience to always get the best possible results from anyone he works with. 5 big gold stars out of 5 from me for a guy who has that essential mix of skill without ego." - Simon W (Professional musician 20+ years)
"Aaron’s goal based teaching works well for us. He is friendly and patient, we will definitely book another session. 5/5" - Bernie D (Father of musician)
"They (Senior Leadership Team) find your classes an asset to the school and want to see it continue. The kids love being a part of the bigger picture to the school and are seeing the value in what you teach. This has been evident in the professional learning conversations I've had with them. They tell me about what they're learning with no prompt." - D Drew (Music Director, ANI School)
"Very focused and planned teaching sessions..as per the need and capabilities of the student..with a very sincere urge to help and provide stepwise guidance to achieve student's goals!.. Very satisfactory! 4.8 out of 5!?..No human being is perfect!" - P Joshee (Retiree working on his first album)
"Great service. Aaron is knowledgeable, good communicator and helped me sort some persisting problems with my DAW.. Highly recommended" - Tyrone L R (Musician)
"Great service from Aaron-already Aaron has helped me make some important early decisions for going forward. It's clear he has an ability to keep things in understandable terms for noobs like me, and I have no doubt he can scale up the advice for all levels. Cheers Aaron and look forward to our next sesh. Pete" - Pete A (Musician)
"fantastic Audio brain .. nutted out my OTR DESK !! worth evry penny" - Steve R (Live sound engineer with 20+ years experience and recording enthusist)
"Aaron has been very helpful to a slow learner like me and I need more tuition at the present 10 out of 10" - Stan T (Musician with 65+ years under his belt!)
"I am new to home recording and have tried to learn how to use my DAW using YouTube, with little success. I never quite got what I was after. I saw Aaron's ad had my first session with him yesterday. I wish I had found him sooner! It would have saved me many hours of frustration and hair-pulling (I'm bald now btw). Aaron immediately found the reasons why I was having issues and solved them within a few minutes. I learnt more in 2 hours with him than I had in the last 3 months on YouTube - money well spent indeed. The lessons are all tailored specifically to the gear you have and I am looking forward to diving into this and learning more. Highly recommended, 10 out of 10." - Mick H (Musician)
"Excellent service and knowledge.. worth every $ as you get years of experience" - James A (Musician and International Radio Presenter)
"Aaron has 3 times been to my place and helped me set up various bits of my studio. He is very helpful and is able to work well with WHAT YOU HAVE. I would fully recommend him to anyone wanting to do it yourself. He can help you set up your mics, make recommendations on what to by, teach you to use programmes and help install stuff if you need to. So you can be good to go in a matter of a couple of hours." - Christian N (Muscian and Film Director)