Lost your password?

The worldwide community of guitarists and musicians is one of the main reasons why TrueFire is where it is today. With our students’ input and feedback, we stay motivated to continue to expand our library and improve our music e-learning experience. So, while we spend a lot of time highlighting our incredible faculty and content, we think it’s time to move the spotlight on some of our most passionate users.

In this Student Spotlight series, we’ll be showcasing a member of the diverse TrueFire community and sharing their thoughts with you. We hope you find yourself inspired. Ignited we stand!

Student Spotlight: JohniSteph

Your Name:

John C.

How long have you been a TrueFire Student?

Almost 3 years.

Tell us a little bit about yourself as a musician:

I’m based in Auckland, NZ. I’ve played acoustic guitar in church since I was about 19 (now 52). I bought my first electric guitar in 1996 and have also played rhythm guitar for a covers band playing classic pub songs and another band playing only originals, which has been with the guy from whom I bought my first electric.

I was getting a bit stale on guitar and frustrated with my ability until I bought some strings from Strings & Beyond, and in the package was a voucher for JamPlay. I signed up and really benefitted. When TrueFire and JamPlay started doing stuff together, I also bought a bunch of courses on TrueFire and love the new stuff I’m learning. My only regret is that I don’t have more spare time to learn guitar!

What attracted you to TrueFire at first?

When I found out TrueFire was doing stuff with JamPlay.

What are some of your favorite TrueFire courses or lessons?

I’ve appreciated the rhythm courses like Angus Clark’s Rock Rhythm Unplugged. I’m a lead guitar dunce, so have also enjoyed Adam Levy’s Slow Burn Soloing. I’m also keen to learn jazz, so have started Pat Martino’s Nature of Guitar, Bruce Arnold’s Jazz Guitar for Beginners, and Frank Vignola’s 1-2-3 Jazz Guitar. I’m also enjoying the “learn the song” lessons, like Chris Buono’s.

How has TrueFire helped improve your playing?

They say there are four quadrants in terms of knowledge – what you know you know, what you don’t know, you know, what you know you don’t know, and what you don’t know, you don’t know. The last two boxes are massive for me, and TrueFire has helped me to understand the depth and breadth of guitar knowledge missing from my toolkit and has also given me the roadmaps to improving in the areas I want to work on.

Why do you use TrueFire, and how often?

I use TrueFire to learn new skills, songs, and genres, and I would visit the website nearly every day.

What is your favorite feature of the TrueFire learning experience?

I think the ability to loop and slow down video so you can get riffs and concepts under your fingers is awesome.

Who is your favorite TrueFire Educator and why?

Argh, that’s such a tough call – they are all so talented. For me, I love Frank Vignola’s positivity and mastery of jazz, Angus Clark’s coverage of rock, and Adam Levy’s assurance that I can play meaningful lead guitar without being able to blaze and shred!

What would you like to see more of at TrueFire?

There’s already a lifetime of content on TrueFire – I just need more time to explore and practice!

Any other comments?

Keep up the good work, team – y’all are awesome!

Join the TrueFire Community!

Ready to take your playing to the next level? Sign up for a free TrueFire account today and enjoy a 14-day trial of All Access!