About

NICE TO MEET YOU

I'm Chris Brooks

I'm a Sydney-based guitarist, educator, and recording artist with a 38-year love affair with the instrument. It all started with an obsession for '80s high-octane lead guitar—an obsession that, I'll admit, never really went away.

Early on, I was hooked on the sideman shredding of Kee Marcello and Brett Garsed and the visionary careers of Vinnie Moore, Steve Vai, and Yngwie Malmsteen. As a student at the Australian Institute of Music, I knew exactly what I wanted to do: spend eight hours a day practicing and eventually create my own music and instructional content, inspired by the likes of Hot Licks and REH videos.

Over two decades, my two solo albums, The Master Plan (2002) and The Axis of All Things (2011), have been supported by media outlets around the globe. Young Guitar magazine in Japan included The Master Plan in their list of 500 Essential Guitar Albums, and Australian Guitar magazine recognized me as one of the country's top underground guitarists.

Beyond my solo work, I've toured with bands and recorded with legendary musicians like Yngwie Malmsteen’s former vocalist Mark Boals. In 2015, I created the video course "The Yng Way," which was met with an incredible response. This inspired me to write 18 guitar method books that have since helped a couple of hundred thousand players worldwide.

I've been fortunate to share my passion with others. As a lifelong student of the guitar, I am committed to creating a legacy of educational resources and music that will continue to inspire players long into the future.

My Philosophy

My core philosophy is simple: hard work beats talent. I've always had to work at the guitar, which has taught me to seek out the most effective methods for learning and improvement.

I started my journey without a natural aptitude, and for a few years, I struggled with basic techniques like using upstrokes, believe it or not. This experience gives me a unique perspective, as I've had to find a way to catch up and get ahead.

The instructional content I create today is designed to be the guide I wish I had back then. It's built for anyone who wants a clear, step-by-step path to mastering the instrument.

You don't have to be a "natural" to work with my material, but if you've got the determination and self-awareness required for progress, I have the material to help you get there.