ClassicalGuitarShed (classicalguitarshed.com) has a 5.0 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 60 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Education & Training and its reputation is excellent. Praise is nearly unanimous, with 99% rating it 4 stars or higher; 1 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-08-10.
What people say
M
Martin · 1 review ·
★★★★★
A great help and experience... well worth it
Last year (2021) during the height of the Covid Pandemic I purchased a year’s subscription to the Classical Guitar Shed. This decision was based on the YouTube presentations that Allen Mathews posted. My experience with studying and playing classical guitar goes back fifty plus years and I would consider myself at the time I stopped playing an intermediate player.
Due to personal circumstances I was not able to pick up the guitar and play for almost half of those fifty years. Due to nerve damage I had extreme pain and disability in my left neck, shoulder, arm, hand and fingers. Than just a few months prior to joining the “Shed”, the majority of the pain started to dissipate and the sensation of touch started to return to my fingers allowing me to fret notes and chords. I dug out my old guitar from the closet and my old Aaron Shearer books from fifty years ago and slowly started playing simple studies. The books were ok, but, unlike riding a bicycle, returning to playing the classical guitar requires a little more concentration and thought.
I felt I needed more guidance in refreshing my memory in relearning the techniques required to reading sheet music and playing and so I started searching the internet and came across Allen’s methods. I can safely say that his “Shed” study levels and bonus pieces were a tremendous asset in learning. I would highly recommend trying out his courses to help you in learning the intricacies involved with playing the guitar. His staff was also a great help. When you needed tips and insights learning a technique or a study piece they were always fast getting back to you when you had a question.
L
Lance Ronas · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I have been enrolled in the…
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.
D
Douglas B · 10 reviews ·
★★★★★
Thorough | Structured | Informative | Flexible
Very thorough, structured and informative, yet flexible!
One will most certainly progress and find the interaction of the team and members useful...
F
Frances Biseker · 8 reviews ·
★★★★★
A clear and well graded programme to…
A clear and well graded programme to work through. Allen's videos are clear, detailed and lively. The support system is excellent too - you can submit videos of your playing to be reviewed by Zac who is never anything other than encouraging and detailed in his review, and then there are the open mic and Q&A sessions. Help is always available at the end of an email and further encouragement from the members' FB page.
J
Joe G · 4 reviews ·
★★★★★
Well worth it to take your guitar playing to higher level
Has provided a structure and support to spur me on and improve my classical guitar practice. My technique and my playing has improved.
The progressive levels and materials are excellent.
Allen and the Classical Guitar Shed team provide excellent support and a great product.
The weekly emails provide excellent insights into topics relating to classical guitar and the psychology of practice.
Well worth it if you are keen to improve your guitar playing.
H
Henry Kujda · 1 review ·
★★★★★
If you're interested in learning classical guitar, Classical Guitar Shed would have to be the best learning resource in the universe!
Classical Guitar Shed is an incredibly comprehensive site with tutorials, courses, programs, tips, articles, motivation, inspiration and help for learning classical guitar. It also has interactive online sessions and even invites one on one
interaction. It's brilliant! Allen Mathews is a fantastic teachers. He has worked out what a student needs to learn efficiently and with enjoyment. He is also a great communicator. He is supported by a talented team. I wish there were other like him that taught piano or anything else that needs teaching in a program like his and delivered like he does. Ive only given this review 5 stars because trustpilot does allow me to go to 10!
D
Debanshu Bhaduri · 3 reviews ·
★★★★★
The Woodshed Program should be your de facto "go to"
Allen is intuitive, involved, innovative and inspiring. I truly enjoy this course. Although not cheap, it is worth every penny. Kudos.
c
customer · 2 reviews ·
★★★★★
The journey to playing beautifully
The journey tp playing beautifully
Played the guitar for year or just picked on up, either way this is a great way to learn to play what you want that will fulfil both the player and listener.
The shed has a unique combination. There are loads of helpful free guides but the real value comes in the paid for courses and membership. At less that the price of a single lesson per month it would he hard to find anything like it.
The site is built around a well structured programme whose simplicity belies the depth of thought behind it. There is the main programme together with many supporting lessons and detailed guides to play many well known and not se well known classical pieces.
As this that were not enough you can send a video in when to get personal help with a specific problem and the reply is prompt and helpful delivered in a way that allows easy review of the advice given.
Then there are the monthly live Q&A sessions and open mike sessions, the latter are not recorded and give the player the chance to learn to play before an audience that is supportive. These sessions are not recorded making them easier to approach. There is a weekly newsletter which I have found to be a great motivator to keep on with the programme.
There is more. There are 1:1 sessions with the instructors and a closed facebook group for members. All this runs are your own pace.
Does it work? I have been with the CGS for just over two months. I am fixing some problems that I did not know I had. I have learnt half a new piece in a new style. I can play with better tone and greater security. After playing indifferently for decades I am at last starting to play the way I hear it in my head.
I am learning to play beautifully.
All this for less than a single lesson a month! Another joy
J
Joan Farré · 1 review ·
★★★★★
Great Site
Great Site! This is not what you expect from a Classical Guitar teacher. It is more! Well structured courses and gret feedback and o2o sessions.
P
Peter F · 1 review ·
★★★★★
Highly recommended
This program provides a calm, thoughtful, supportive approach to learning classical guitar without distasteful sales tactics and competitive 'hype' that afflicts many online learning venues. Enjoyable, rewarding, and flush with resources. Highly recommended.
D
David Barnard · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I really like Allen's style of teaching…
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.
P
Peter Carucci · 2 reviews ·
★★★★★
Classical Guitar Shed right place for retiree
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.
J
James Ashford · 1 review ·
★★★★★
The program is excellent
The program is excellent and applies for all types of music. The staff are extremely helpful and great at answering any questions I might have. I would strongly recommend this site to any guitarist.
j
julie wolters · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I am a beginner and started with very…
I am a beginner and started with very few musical skills. The Woodshed lessons are structured in such a way that you go at your own pace. Every lesson can be reviewed as often as necessary and, for me, teaches a new skill that makes learning fun and challenging. I appreciate that I am learning the language of music along with the guitar and its qualities. I did not feel ready to send in a video right away but eventually did so. I AM SO GLAD I DID! I got an in-depth, immediate personal review of my playing and was able to correct some right-hand technique issues early. Whew! The guitar will always be a challenge, but I know a lot more today than I did two years ago. Don't be afraid to try it and don't be afraid to send in questions or a video. It is like having a teacher at your elbow.
R
Roy Row · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I Found What I Was Looking For, And More.
After a lifetime of playing steel string and electric guitar, I found myself interested in learning to play Classical Guitar. I found it to be a whole new world. I live in an area that has no one teaching classical, so I turned to YouTube and the internet. I soon discovered Allen and Classical Guitar Shed. It has been a great fit. The lessons themselves are put together well and the structure of the entire program brings me into a network and family of other players with like interests. I consider it better that a weekly session with a teacher. This course of study allows me the personal interaction I want with Allen and the staff, plus the support of the Woodshed community. The structure and philosophy of the course organization is sound and well thought out. In addition, all of the lesson material is there on both paper and video to review and study at any time. I'm in my second year and am truly thankful to have found this program.
A
Andrew Hynes · 23 reviews ·
★★★★★
The place to go for help with Classical Guitar.
For those wishing to dip into the world of Classical Guitar this 'Shed' contains a wealth of free and paid for 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 plant. All for a one off yearly fixed fee.
J
JANIS M FLYNN · 3 reviews ·
★★★★★
Would recommend the Woodshed!
Program has progressive levels so skills build up gradually; wide array of courses and exercises from beginner to advanced.
Comprehensive program that recognizes classical guitar can be a lifetime learning experience!
Two monthly Zoom membership meetings.
Members can send in practice videos and receive feedback within a day or two; all email questions answered within a day.
C
CL Nelson · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I recommend CGS unreservedly.
I recommend CGS unreservedly as an excellent guitar-instructional program. I have some experience (as a reviewer and user) with academic online language programs, and based on that, I confidently assess the CGS program as very competently thought-out and presented. The monthly general Zoom sessions and individual assessment opportunities with the practiced and professional presenters make CGS accessible and workable. I am nearing the end of my first year of membership, and looking forward to the second.
E
Edward M · 1 review ·
★★★★★
I purchased a lifetime subscription
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.
B
Bruce Arthur · 1 review ·
★★★★★
Highly Recommend CSG!
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.
