Werner Bonthuys
Zandvoort · Netherlands
Guitarist · Teacher · Songwriter · Author · Facilitator · Developer
South African guitarist who has spent 34 years making music matter — on stage, in the studio, in the classroom, and on record.
Zandvoort · Netherlands
Guitarist · Teacher · Songwriter · Author · Facilitator · Developer
South African guitarist who has spent 34 years making music matter — on stage, in the studio, in the classroom, and on record.
Guitarist
34+ years playing, performing across South Africa, England & the Netherlands
Songwriter
Debut album After The Noise, on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube & Amazon Music
Teacher
Private guitar lessons via learnguitar.nl, across Haarlem, Amsterdam & online
Author
Guitar Scales, Arpeggios & Chords
The Anatomy of a Scale Shape
Facilitator
Founded and leads the Haarlem Guitar Club
Developer
Guitar Skill Tree, a guitar practice-tracking app
2026
A collection of songs about memory, identity, distance, and the things we carry long after they're gone. Written from real moments rather than conclusions, these songs trace the quiet shifts that shape a life.
All On Me · Why And How · Changing Shape · That Was That · Home · Rooi Grond · It Starts Again · All Of It Came With Me · Choosing To Move
Background
I grew up in Petrusburg and Bloemfontein, South Africa. Music found me in 1992, when I was nine — through my father's guitar and the songs he played. I was fascinated by how music becomes attached to important moments in people's lives. I still am.
I studied classical guitar before diving into jazz theory and spending years playing in rock cover bands. I went on to train at the Academy of Contemporary Music in Guildford, England — one of the most formative experiences of my musical education.
Since then I've performed across South Africa, England, and the Netherlands: hotel lounges, opera houses, festivals, weddings, and everything in between. I've played to audiences of thousands and worked as a session guitarist since 2005 — becoming the preferred choice for many of South Africa's top recording artists, with credits spanning artist albums, singles, and television.
In 2026 I released After The Noise, my debut album — folk-inspired singer-songwriter work rooted in personal experience. My next project is taking me somewhere different: a band called Foreign Language, exploring soul, blues, jazz, and fusion. Watch this space.
I now live in Zandvoort, where I teach privately across the greater Haarlem and Amsterdam areas, lead the Haarlem Guitar Club, and write about music and learning. My teaching blog at learnguitar.nl covers everything from fretboard theory to practice psychology.
Academy of Contemporary Music, Guildford — Higher Diploma in Guitar Performance, 2005
RSL Awards — Grade 8 Guitar · Level 6 Diploma in Teaching and Learning for Performing Arts
Trinity College London — Grade 5 Classical Guitar, 1999
Teaching since 1999 — 25+ years across South Africa, England, and the Netherlands
Private tuition · Haarlem, Amsterdam & online
I teach everyone — from complete beginners to advanced players, children to adults, including visually impaired students. Everyone deserves access to music.
Beyond learning songs: technique, theory, rhythm, improvisation, tone, and expression. My approach is guided but personal — students find their own path within a structured environment. Graded certifications are available through RSL Awards.
"Werner doesn't just teach songs, but rhythm, music, and all the details behind it."
"I've been lucky to have Werner as my guitar teacher for 3 years. He is an incredible teacher, methodical, and truly invested in your progress."
Founded 2023 · Haarlem
A community of guitarists that I founded and lead — monthly workshops, jam sessions, learning, and shared musical exploration. All levels, all styles.
Publications
Guitar Scales, Arpeggios & Chords
A complete fretboard reference for guitarists who want to understand the structures that underpin music — not just memorise shapes.
The Anatomy of a Scale Shape — my second book, exploring how music works beneath the surface.
App
An app for guitarists to track and visualise their progress — mapping out skills, scales, technique, and theory as a connected journey rather than a checklist.
Say hello
Got a question, a collaboration idea, or just want to talk music? I'm fairly easy to reach.
Guitars & Gear