Mark McKenzie

Who is Mark Mckenzie?

Mark was born in 1973 and raised in Christchurch New Zealand where he used his early youngsters learning guitar and perfecting his craft, with dreams of playing for a fruitful rock band. Influenced by anything guitar found in his parents album collection: The Shadows, Simon and Garfunkel, The Hollies, John Denver, Peter Paul & Mary to his first album Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow. He cherished all of the eighties guitar saints.

It was Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits that inspired him to take the instrument all the more seriously. And so began an earnest practice regime where he kept a journal of how and what was practiced clearly showing his advancement.

He joined the 'Royal NZ Army Ordnance Corps' at 18 years old and a year later, effectively auditioned for the NZ Army Band (NZAB) as their first full-time guitarist. He used the following eight years becoming a real all-rounder on guitar, playing in a variety of styles including Swing, Rock, Pop, Latin, Jazz and playing percussion in the brass band outfit. He used four more years playing in a variety of outfits.

He cleared out the Army to seek after musical ambitions and to teach guitar starting his own guitar teaching business.

In 2009 he was asked to rejoin the NZAB and is presently still working with them on a more casual basis. He is actively involved in several spreads bands, has a performance act and is as of now working on his first solo album to be released soonish.

He especially adores teaching beginners for the thrill of seeing individuals transform from knowing next to no to playing with confidence. His personal speciality is lead guitar.

In his downtime, he has co-written and recorded with local bands and collaborated on musical activities with friends.

He delights in living by the Pacific Ocean and surfing.

Why learn from Mark?

Mark's playing has been hard won – learning in the days before tab, the internet and moderate down audio software. He has first hand experience of the battles beginners face having privately taught various beginner guitarists to maturity in their playing.

Over the 20 years he's been teaching, he has established a technique that gets individuals playing harmonies and strumming with confidence without getting impeded in theory. He thinks learning the guitar ought to be fun so endeavors to get you playing the songs you like as quickly as possible. With many years of playing behind him, he has a massive bag of tips and tricks that he is willing to pass on to benefit your playing.