Start strong
Industry estimates suggest up to 90 % of beginners stop playing guitar within a year. Think about that for a second. The odds are stacked against you. The truth is: most beginner guitarists fail before they ever really get going. Not because they’re lazy, but because no one showed them how to start smart.
Limited-Time 50% Launch Discount
We’re currently offering both programs at half price while we build out the full platform and collect early feedback. This is the same personalized experience, just at a lower rate in exchange for your honest testimonial. It’s a win-win: you get expert guidance at a huge discount, and we make the program even better with your input.
Copy the following code and use it at checkout:
LAUNCH50
Learn More About Our Programs
Whether you’re just starting out or stuck with the wrong gear, we’ve got two ways to help. Smart Start gives you a personalized plan to break through the beginner wall. Gear Guide helps you find, upgrade, or trade gear the smart way. Drop your info below and we’ll send you everything you need to get started.
About First Riff
When I started playing, I was overwhelmed by everything. Acoustic or electric? What kind of amp? Why do my fingers hurt? Why does the tab sound nothing like the band? Should I play in drop tuning? Why does my gear sound like garbage even though I just dropped a lot of money? Bad gear. No plan. Endless YouTube rabbit holes. That’s the combo that kills the dream.
I created First Riff to fix that. This is the session I wish I had when I started. The one that shows you what gear actually matters, how to practice in a way that works for real life, and how to finally sound like the bands you love.
The Smart Start Program
Make your First Riff the one that sticks.
Includes a 2-hour consult session covering:
Gear Guidance That Makes Sense
• What kind of guitar you should be playing (used > new, high value only)
• Which amp/setup makes sense for your space and music taste
• How to avoid junk gear that slows you down
• What to upgrade first for the biggest difference
• Where to buy (and what to avoid)
Personalized Setup & Playing Tips
• How to properly set up your guitar and fix basic problems yourself
• How to tune, change strings, and adjust action
• Custom checklist for your gear and the accessories you’ll need
4-Week Practice Plan (That Won’t Overwhelm You)
• Based on your time, taste, and current skill
• Focused on learning actual music you like (not random scales)
• Pairs with the best existing YouTube tutorials I have found, just smart curation
• Progress-focused, not perfection-focused
The Smart Start Program
You don’t need 50 more YouTube videos. You need a plan.
Secure & Safe Checkout
The Gear Guide Program
Find, flip, and upgrade your guitar gear, the smart way.
Most guitar players waste hundreds of dollars on low-quality instruments, overpriced amps, or gear that never gets played. Our Gear Guide Program teaches you how to build a great setup without breaking the bank, by mastering the used market, negotiating like a pro, and knowing exactly what to buy and how.
Includes a 90-minute consult session covering:
The Strategy Behind the Stack
I’ll show you how I turned $2K into over $15K in gear value in a year and a half, not by luck, but by understanding how the market works. You’ll learn how to build a dream setup piece by piece, and how to spot opportunity where others see junk.
Where (and How) to Look
You’ll get a proven search flow for finding the best gear, including which platforms to use, how to set up alerts, and when to strike. I’ll show you how to filter for hidden gems that provide opportunities to continue scaling upward.
How to Choose the Right Gear
Learn how to evaluate a listing in seconds, spot high-margin items, and know which brands are worth your time. You’ll learn why some colors and models sell better, how to handle minor repairs, and what gear to avoid.
Negotiation That Works
From writing messages that get responses to knowing how to make an offer that sticks, you’ll get real templates and real strategies that make your cash go further, especially when you’re buying local.
Meeting, Buying, and Trading
We’ll cover safety, what tools to bring, and how to test gear on the spot. You’ll also learn how to trade like a seasoned flipper, turning your current gear into leverage for better deals down the line.
Selling Smart
Get the formula for writing listings that convert, taking photos that pop, and making every post do double duty as an ad for your gear stack. Bonus: how to use AI to write better listings (and even go viral).
The Backend
You’ll get tools to track your profits, accounting tips, and keep your trades from turning into chaos. If it sounds like overkill, it’s not. It’s what turns a hobbyist into a strategist.
The Gear Guide Program
Flip, upgrade, and play what you love.
Secure & Safe Checkout
Meet Your Instructor
Hi, I’m Chris, a content creator turned guitar coach who’s been exactly where you are.
I spent years working in graphic design and web development, creating content that connects people. When I picked up the guitar as an adult, I ran straight into the same roadblocks most beginners hit: confusing gear choices, endless YouTube videos, and zero real direction. I wasted money. I got frustrated. And I nearly gave up.
That’s why I started First Riff. Not as some guitar virtuoso, but as someone who’s just a few steps ahead of you. I’m an intermediate player who still remembers what it’s like to feel stuck, overwhelmed, and unsure if you’re even doing it right. That’s actually my superpower here: I’ve just gone through the process you’re starting. I know exactly what helped, and what didn’t.
My mission isn’t to turn you into a shredder overnight. It’s to help you fall in love with playing, stay motivated, and finally make progress that feels good. You don’t need to go it alone. I’ve got you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly is First Riff?
First Riff is a guitar coaching alternative for beginners and returning players who feel stuck. We offer two targeted, 1-on-1 sessions designed to solve the most common reasons people quit guitar: bad gear, no structure, and YouTube overwhelm.
What’s the difference between Smart Start and Gear Guide?
Gear Guide is for players who want to build or upgrade their setup over time while having fun in the journey. Whether you’re buying your first guitar, flipping for upgrades, or just tired of wasting money on gear that collects dust, this program will guide you through a better process.
How are the sessions delivered?
All sessions are done via Zoom, with optional screen sharing and real-time gear walk-throughs. You’ll also get a customized PDF summary and any tools/resources discussed during the call.
Do I need to be local?
What do I walk away with?
- A custom practice roadmap (for Smart Start)
- A gear acquisition strategy guide (for Gear Guide)
- Specific used gear tips and sourcing strategies
- Message templates for negotiating and buying
- Setup guidance so your gear actually feels good to play
- Total clarity on what to do next
Will you tell me exactly what to buy?
Is this a one-time thing or a series of lessons?
Just one session. No subscriptions, no 6-month commitments. If you want ongoing help, you can always book another, but the idea is to get you unstuck fast, not keep you on a lesson treadmill.
I’m brand new. Is this for me?
Yes. Especially if you’ve already felt frustrated or quit once before. This is about avoiding burnout and building momentum early with gear that doesn’t hold you back and a plan that doesn’t suck the fun out of it.
Is this about flipping gear for profit?
Not exactly. Gear Guide is about building a setup that makes sense through smarter buying, better timing, and knowing how to trade up without throwing money away. If that means you flip a few pedals for profit, cool. But this isn’t a “side hustle” course. It’s about having fun.
Do you have any examples of the kind of results people get?
- Saved $200+ on gear they were about to overpay for
- Traded entry-level gear into pro-level setups over time
- Finally built a practice habit that doesn’t feel like homework
I’ve used these methods over the last two years and I’ve had a lot of success, which is why I chose to offer the program.
What if I still have questions?
Easy, just shoot me a message or use the contact form. I’ll tell you honestly if this is a fit for you or not.
Do I have any kind of guarantee?
Absolutely. Try it risk-free. If you don’t feel more confident and clear after our session, I’ll refund your payment. No hassle.
Still have questions? Just shoot me a message or use the contact form. I'll tell you honestly if this is a fit for you.
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