Your sound,
unlocked.
Lessons at my Santa Cruz studio, in your home or online, for players ready to level up, and young musicians 10 and older. Theory, ear training and 20+ years of real-world performing, built around your goals.
Serving Santa Cruz, Capitola, Aptos, Soquel, Scotts Valley, Live Oak and beyond, plus online lessons anywhere.
Your first lesson is free. Questions? Just ask.
“He tailors every session towards what’s needed while keeping an eye for building skills that will paint a bigger picture.”
Marcus R. · Student
Biography
I picked up the guitar at 14, and I still remember the moment it clicked: the first time something I played actually sounded like a song. That spark, the feeling of hearing real music come out of your own hands, is what I work toward in every lesson today.
I went on to study at Musicians Institute in Hollywood, California, learning from some of the finest instructors in the world. After graduating, I joined MI as an instructor myself, teaching there while working as a session guitarist.
Since then, I've built a career on stage and in the studio. I toured with California reggae band Coastal Sage, sharing the stage with reggae's biggest names, including Collie Buddz, Eek-A-Mouse and The Wailing Souls, and I've played legendary venues like the Whisky a Go Go, The Roxy, The Catalyst and Shattuck Down Low. In the studio, I've recorded guitar for Ray Jay, Brandy and many other artists, and played on TV and movie trailers.
I won the Master Satriani Contest, handpicked by guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani himself, and my original funk rock band, Jive Machine, was voted Best of Santa Cruz 2022 by Good Times.
Today I teach at my Santa Cruz studio, in students' homes and online, helping players who know the basics break through to the next level and helping young musicians 10 and up build a foundation that lasts. My goal for every student: that same lit-up feeling I had at 14.
Highlights
Instruments & services provided
My approach
“I never thought I had the raw talent to play.”
I hear it all the time, and it's almost never true. Passion matters far more than raw talent, so every lesson starts by finding the spark that's unique to you, then building real skills around it.
Every student has something that lights them up: a favorite song, a familiar melody, a sound they can't stop thinking about. We start there. The moment you can play something you recognize, music stops feeling like hard work and starts being fun.
Learning songs you love builds your ear naturally. Before long you're figuring things out on your own and making your own musical discoveries, which speeds up both your progress and your enjoyment.
I guide each lesson, but the plan grows out of the music you're most excited about. You're an active part of charting your own musical journey, not just following a book.
Along the way you'll build real foundations: proper technique, music theory and suggested listening, so the skills stick and keep growing long after the lesson ends.
Music builds more than musicianship. Students also grow in patience, goal setting, time management, communication and confidence.
Education & mentorship
Whether you want cleaner technique, a deeper grasp of theory, a better ear or your first finished recording, every lesson is shaped around where you are and where you want to go.
Learn in my Santa Cruz teaching studio, with amps, instruments and recording gear on hand.
I come to you, so you learn on your own instrument and gear. A small travel fee applies.
Live lessons over video from anywhere, with notes and recordings to practice with.
Electric and acoustic guitar, plus beginner piano, drums and bass. At the studio, in your home or online.
Patient, structured lessons for students 10 and up that build a strong foundation and a real love of playing.
Learn the language behind the notes, from chords and scales to reading charts and improvising.
Hear intervals, chords and progressions, then play what you hear without hunting for it.
Try my free ear trainer →Turn ideas into finished songs, or write one together: structure, harmony, melody and hooks.
Recording technique, arranging and production, from first demo to finished song.
Balance, shape and polish your tracks so they're ready for streaming.
Need a guitar part? I'll record custom parts for your track and send you the files.
Dial in your sound: amps, pedals, signal chain and a live rig that works night after night. Specializing in modelers like the Axe-Fx III.
Tighter grooves, better arrangements and stronger shows, coached with your whole band in the room.
Group workshops on guitar technique, theory, ear training and studio skills, for schools, stores and music communities.
Book a free trial lesson and we'll figure out the right path together.
Book now →Your first lesson is free
Meet, play, and map out a plan together. No commitment.
Great for younger students and first-timers.
The sweet spot for most students: time to learn and to play.
For deeper dives, advanced players, songwriting and production.
Most students choose a 4-lesson pack: weekly lessons are how real progress happens, and you save 10%. Studio and online lessons are the same price. In-home lessons add a small travel fee.
Book your free first lessonReviews from students and families
“Colin is a FANTASTIC teacher!! He has been teaching me and my 10 year old son for about a year now. My son just played Pipeline in his school talent show and rocked it. I highly recommend Colin. He inspires you and builds confidence quickly, and he himself is a very talented musician!!”
“Colin has been nothing but amazing helping me learn both the fundamentals and the more advanced theories as well. He tailors every session towards what’s needed while keeping an eye for building skills that will paint a bigger picture.”
“Colin is an amazing musician, but an even more amazing person, teacher, and mentor. I have learned so much about music and performance from him, as well as a great deal about recording and composition too. He’s helped me so much in both my understanding of music and how to play! We’ve worked both in person and also over Skype, and both experiences are incredibly worthwhile. He is the most professional and talented musician I have ever met, and also the best music teacher I’ve ever had as well. When anyone is looking to grow their musical abilities of any kind, Colin is absolutely who I recommend.”
“Colin Gailey is an amazing teacher, musician/composer, and guitarist! But his teaching and coaching style is so affirming and detailed. He is beyond knowledgeable, patient, skilled, and fully qualified to guide any student at any level to abilities you may not have believed you could achieve. I highly recommend Colin as a guitar, piano, or music teacher. And if you get a chance to hear his music, I guarantee you will be amazed one minute, and then become a fan the next! If you are serious about learning to play, talk to Colin Gailey and learn more about how he can help you reach your goals!”
“Colin has been teaching our 8 year old son and 13 year old daughter piano for about six months, and they were both beginners. Colin has an excellent approach and has made piano fun while also teaching the fundamentals. We highly recommend him!”
“I was blown away by Colin’s music production skills! More specifically, he showed me how to incorporate production tricks into my music, giving my songs that professional polish they were missing.”Hear the result ↓
“Colin’s musicianship is something to be experienced, as he teaches with great creative authenticity. You’ll come away with new skills, as well as an added sense of confidence. Colin’s experience is broad and varied. Great stuff here. Not to be missed.”
Featured
Live at the Capitola Twilight Concert, September 2021
Techniques you can use from three blues greats
Tap to preview. Guitar, compositions and studio work.
Visual diary
Questions
Students 10 and up, plus adults at every level. Many students are players who already know the basics and want to break through to the next level.
Three options: at my Santa Cruz studio, in your home anywhere in Santa Cruz County (a small travel fee applies), or online over live video from anywhere.
Your first lesson is free. After that, lessons are $60 for 30 minutes, $75 for 45 minutes and $90 for 60 minutes. With a 4-lesson pack you save 10%, which brings it to $54, $67.50 or $81 per lesson. Packs keep you progressing week to week, so most students choose them.
Please give at least 24 hours' notice to cancel or reschedule, and we'll find a make-up time. Cancellations with less than 24 hours' notice, or missed lessons, are charged in full (or count toward your lesson pack). Life happens, so everyone gets one excused last-minute cancellation every two months, no questions asked. If I ever need to cancel, you'll get a make-up lesson or a credit.
Yes! Gift certificates are available for single lessons or 4-lesson packs, and they make a great gift for birthdays, holidays or anyone who's always wanted to learn. Just call, text or send a message through the form and I'll set one up.
Electric and acoustic guitar, plus beginner piano, beginner drums and beginner bass. I also teach music theory, ear training, songwriting, recording, mixing and production.
Absolutely. Lessons are built around where you are now and where you want to go, whether you've never played a note or you've been playing for years.
Yes. Online lessons work just like in-person ones, over live video, and they're a great fit if you're outside Santa Cruz or have a busy schedule.
Bring your instrument if you have one, plus any songs, tabs or questions you want to work on. The first lesson is free, so it's a relaxed chance to meet, play and make a plan.
Yes. I offer recording and production, mixing and mastering, songwriting and co-writing, and I can record custom guitar parts for your song.