THE TGT STORY
From International Stages to Revolutionary Guitar Education
Hi. My name is Ulrich.
On this page I want to share my motivation and background with you:
- why I created Total Guitar Transformation against all odds
- how the approach is deeply connected to my personal music story
- and how TGT developed from a group of 10 into a worldwide movement ready to revolutionize the landscape of Guitar Education.
Ok, let's get started!
The Journey That Led Me Here
My path to creating Total Guitar Transformation wasn't exactly what I'd planned. I had spent over two decades performing professionally, including some incredible experiences, like playing alongside Grammy-winning artists like José Feliciano or Tommy Shannon. But even more importantly, I was able to hone my own guitar voice in thousands of concerts, and develop my own simplified "system" of improvising with freedom and musicality.
Through all those years on stage, I started noticing something that really bothered me: there was this huge gap between those who could truly move people with their music and learning guitarists who could play technically well but …. weren’t saying anything.
I kept seeing talented players who had all the "right" skills but somehow couldn't connect emotionally with their instrument. I knew something was missing from how we teach guitar, that separated hobbyists from the “real” music world.
Me and Jose in the dressing room of the Royal Albert Hall
When Everything Changed
Then March 2020 hit, and like every other musician on the planet, I watched my touring career disappear overnight. Venues closed, gigs canceled, and suddenly, I had no idea what I was going to do next.
But you know what? Sometimes the worst things lead to the best opportunities.
With all this unexpected time on my hands, I started thinking about all those frustrated guitarists I'd met over the years. Adults who'd been playing for years but felt stuck. People who could play songs but couldn't really express themselves through their instrument. Grown men who loved music and guitar but felt they just “didn’t have it”.
I realized that traditional guitar education was failing these folks completely. All those theory-heavy methods, endless scale memorization, and mechanical exercises were creating players who could possibly hit the right notes but had no instruction on how to turn scales into music.
I knew there had to be a better way.
The Revolutionary Approach: Blues/Rock as Language
The answer came from thinking about how we actually learn languages. You don't start by memorizing grammar rules, right? You start by speaking, by communicating, by making music with words before you worry about the technical stuff.
"Everyone understands you learn languages by speaking first, grammar later," I always tell people. "This makes the TGT approach obvious rather than controversial."
But the real breakthrough came when I dove deep into studying Jimi Hendrix. Here was a guy who could make three notes say more than most guitarists could say with a thousand. His phrasing, his tone, his touch—everything about his playing was uniquely him.
That's when it hit me: "I should build this program around a figure every guitarist reveres, but finds intimidating. Hendrix offers instant credibility and aspiration."
Instead of starting with theory, what if we started with feel? What if students experienced the emotion of music before they analyzed it?
What if they could build super-solid foundations with the goal of being able to play Hendrix transcriptions, and then go beyond that?
From Concept to Global Community
I decided to test this idea. By December 2020, I put together my first mentoring program, and honestly, I wasn't sure if anyone would be interested.
It sold out in record time.
What started as a simple experiment quickly became something much bigger—a global community of serious guitarists who were tired of the same old teaching methods and hungry for something that actually worked.
The secret sauce? I understood what adult learners actually need. Unlike teenagers with all the time in the world, accomplished adults need efficient, results-focused education that respects their intelligence and doesn't waste their time.
The Recognition
I have to admit, it's been pretty amazing to see how this approach has resonated with people. In August 2025, Best of Best Review even awarded us the title of "Best Online Guitar Program for Students Over 40 in Texas."
But the real validation comes from students like Steven Collins, who told me it was "the best thing to ever happen to me musically," or Duane Kelsey, who called it "the greatest music investment in my music journey by far."
Those messages still give me chills.
Bringing People Together in a Digital World
One thing I learned during the pandemic is how much we all crave real human connection. Sure, online learning is convenient, but there's something magical that happens when guitarists get together in person.
That's why I started hosting live events. Our first gathering in Austin, Texas, brought together guitarists from around the world, and the energy was incredible. We're planning more international events because, as I always say, "in a world of online education, genuine real-world connections will become increasingly important for people."
What This Is Really About
Look, I could teach you scales and theory all day long. But that's not what this is about.
My mission is to help accomplished adults unlock their creative potential and express themselves authentically through music. I work with everyone from advanced beginners to far advanced players who feel trapped by conventional teaching methods.
"It's not just about teaching guitar," I always tell people. "It's about helping students unlock their potential and express themselves creatively through music."
Looking Forward
As TGT continues growing around the world, my core mission stays the same: giving highly passionate guitarists the tools, community, and guidance they need to achieve authentic musical expression.
This isn't just another guitar program. It's a complete reimagining of what guitar education can be when we prioritize musical expression over mechanical proficiency.
I've spent my whole career learning what it takes to move people with music. Now I get to share that with guitarists who are ready to discover what their instruments have been waiting for.
Your transformation begins here.
Your biggest fan - Ulrich Ellison
Ready to discover what your guitars have been waiting for? Your transformation begins here.
TGT "Transformation Week", September 2024, Austin TX
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