A step-by-step guitar path for true beginners

Bold Beginnings. Rocking Riffs.

Jump start your journey with bite-sized lessons, skill-by-skill progression, and clear practice guides — built for beginners who rock.

Clarity

Always know what to practice

Momentum

Make consistent progress without overwhelm

Feedback

Get support when you need it

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Course Benefits

Are You Looking For…

…structure, confidence, and steady progress?
Rocking Riffs is built for beginners who want to learn guitar with clarity and purpose.

An Easy Start

No experience? No problem. The course begins right at square one—no prior knowledge needed.

A Clear Roadmap

A step-by-step guitar journey built from 30+ years of teaching. Every lesson builds on the last for real week-by-week progress.

Play Real Music

Play real riffs within weeks—simple, fun, and designed to get your fingers moving confidently.

One Skill at a Time

Master one technique before moving on—small wins add up to lasting progress.

Practice That Works

Always know what to practice, and how to practice it effectively.

Clear Instruction

No fluff. No filler. Instruction that builds confidence and real results.

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Who’s Your Teacher

Meet Your Teacher!

A real teacher. A clear path. No ego.

Hi, I’m Andreas van Berlo — guitarist, teacher, and founder of Amped Up Academy.

II’ve spent over 30 years teaching guitar — locally and 4 years at the college level — and my online lessons have reached more than 25 million views.

The one thing that really drives my teaching is helping people feel good about their playing — especially in the early stages, when confidence is fragile and progress can feel uncertain.

That’s why Rocking Riffs is built the way it is:
with clear explanations, realistic expectations, and music that feels rewarding from the start.

No pressure. No shortcuts.

Just a solid foundation — and a teacher who genuinely wants you to enjoy the journey and succeed at your own pace.

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Students Say

Meet Your Teacher!

Hi, I’m Andreas van Berlo — guitarist, teacher, and founder of Amped Up Academy.

II’ve spent over 30 years teaching guitar — locally and 4 years at the college level — and my online lessons have reached more than 25 million views.

The one thing that really drives my teaching is helping people feel good about their playing — especially in the early stages, when confidence is fragile and progress can feel uncertain.

That’s why Rocking Riffs is built the way it is:
with clear explanations, realistic expectations, and music that feels rewarding from the start.

No pressure. No shortcuts.

Just a solid foundation — and a teacher who genuinely wants you to enjoy the journey and succeed at your own pace.

Get Rocking Riffs
Students Say

Built From Real Teaching

Rocking Riffs is more than a course — it’s a learning system I’ve been refining with real students, both locally and online, over the past years. Every lesson, practice sheet, and jam track has been shaped by real questions, real roadblocks, and real progress from students of all ages.

Lessons That Feel Alive Online

Lessons that feel present, human, and easy to follow — even when you’re learning on your own.

“Andre has a unique talent for bringing virtual lessons to life, making it feel like he’s right there in the room with them.”

Chantal, mom of 10 year old student named Saydi

Chantal

★★★★★

A Journey That Actually Works

Each concept builds naturally on the one before — no guessing what comes next.

“André’s method feels like a well planned guitar journey, with each week building on the one previous. He is very good at explaining concepts and demonstrating techniques.”

Portrait of Candice, a former guitar student

Candice

★★★★★

Theory Made Simple

Even theory becomes approachable when it’s taught the right way.

“As a teacher he’s patient, explains things clearly and in ways I understand, and makes learning the guitar — including the theory behind it — fun.”

Picture of a J for Jen

Jen

★★★★★

Essential Tools You’ll Use

Learn at your pace, revisit when needed, and keep moving forward.

“The recorded lessons and the online website are fantastic resources. Being able to rewatch concepts is invaluable.”

Robyn, former guitar student, holding large salmon

Robyn

★★★★★
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Your Roadmap

What You’ll Learn In “Rocking Riffs”

1. Guitar Essentials

Get to know your guitar and build a solid foundation.

3 Modules
20+ Lessons
1 Loop Track
Learn guitar anatomy, tuning, tablature, and chord diagrams
Build great posture, hand shape, and picking with downstroke routines
Begin fretting exercises and explore early melodic phrasing
Play your first Loop Track

2. Mastering Time & Rhythm

Learn to groove with rock-solid rhythm

4 Modules
25+ Lessons
5 Loop Tracks
Play along with metronome and jam track step-by-step
Four-finger independence + “Spider Walk” workouts
Master palm muting, vibrato, and dynamic rhythm techniques
Learn key theory: riff structures, repeats, and section labels
Jam with rock & blues loops (Loop Tracks 2–6)

3. Progressive Patterns & Rhythms

Turn solid basics into flowing, musical riffs.

2 Modules
15+ Lessons
2 Loop Tracks
Combine rhythms from earlier chapters into more advanced riffs
Add upstrokes, slides, staccato, and fretting-hand muting
Learn to read rhythm notation (2/4, 4/4) and play in real time
Practice creative variations using Loop Tracks 7 & 8

Mastering the Melodic Building Blocks

Transform the fretboard from a mystery into a map.

2 Modules
20+ Lessons
3 Loop Tracks
Map note names using half/whole steps, sharps & flats
Train phrasing with hammer-ons, pull-offs, and staff notation
Explore fretboard note positions on E, A, and D strings
Jam over melodic rock and reggae riffs (Loop Tracks 9–11)

Choose Your Experience

Rocking Riffs — Lifetime

Enjoy learning guitar step by step at your own pace.

99 one-time

Full Rocking Riffs course
Community access
Core practice sheets and jam track downloads
Own it for life

Best if you want a clear, beginner path you can return to anytime.

Rocking Riffs — Monthly

Stay motivated by applying your skills to real riffs and songs.

9/month

Full Rocking Riffs course (access while a member)
Community access
Core practice sheets & jam track downloads
Monthly bonus riffs & Jam Tracks
Style- and song-based lessons
Join the Rocking Riffs Membership

Perfect if learning real music keeps you inspired and moving forward.

Rockstar Rewards

The More You Rock, The More You Unlock

Silver

2 Months: Merch discount
3 Months: Micro Masterclass Access
6 Months: Lifetime access to one course of choice
Months: 25–30m 1-on-1 Session OR 1-month Transformation access

Gold

1 Month: Micro Masterclass Access
2 Months: Merch discount
3 Months: Lifetime access to one course
6 Months: 15m 1-on-1 session