Testimonials | Rodaidh Mackay

Music tuition

Progress, confidence and enjoyment

Rodaidh is great. Professional and reliable, his enthusiasm and love of music and performance shines through. My son has progressed through the grades to Grade 8, but the experience has been so much more than this. He is a great role model and an inspiring tutor. Susie B.Parent of a Grade 8 guitar student Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

Rodaidh is great. Professional and reliable, his enthusiasm and love of music and performance shines through.

My son has progressed through the grades to Grade 8 this year, but the experience has been so much more than this. Rodaidh works across an amazing range of musical genres and tailors his approach to the interests and abilities of his students. He is a great role model and an inspiring tutor.

Rodaidh is a tutor who listens to his students and supports them through their development. I’m so glad to have been recommended Rodaidh. He encourages his students to make the most of their learning and to work hard, and this is rewarded in the way they develop their ear, their technique, and most of all their passion for music.

Susie B.Parent of a Grade 8 guitar student

I felt stuck at my current level and needed guidance to move forward. After just one lesson, it was super fun and satisfying to hear progress in my improvising. I can now build almost any kind of chord from its name, and I enjoy playing much more because I understand my instrument better. Ori ShmueliGuitar student Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

When I started lessons, I felt stuck at my current level and knew I needed guidance to move forward. I wanted to understand the theory behind chords and different types of scales, rather than simply memorising shapes.

It was super fun and satisfying to hear the progress in my improvising after just one lesson, and to try it out in the studio with Rody’s amazing guitars. I now know how to improvise better using some very important tips he gave me, and after learning the theory behind chords, I can build almost any kind of chord just from its name.

I enjoy playing much more now that I understand my instrument better. Rody gives lots of practical, simple tips that make things I once found impossible to understand or remember feel manageable, while creating a really good balance between learning and enjoying the music.

If you want a great and experienced guitar teacher who is also a great dude, you should study with Rody.

Ori ShmueliGuitar student

When we first started, I was looking to develop my technique, expand my repertoire and gain confidence in performing. I’m proud of achieving my Grade 8 in rock guitar, and of having the opportunity to perform at the Usher Hall in my school concert.

I like Rodaidh’s hands-on practical approach and relaxed manner. The lessons are fun, and I’m making progress. I’ve recommended Rodaidh to other music students at my school.

SageGrade 8 rock guitar student

Rodaidh organised and coordinated everything. His communication was clear and well presented, he had a clear vision, and the workshop itself was very successful.

Jon SterckxWorld Music Percussionist · Associate Lecturer, University of Plymouth

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Studio & production

Bigger ideas, finished with care

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Working with Rodaidh on Camping In The Skies has been genuinely transformative. He understands both the technical and emotional side of production. The final mixes exceeded expectations: cleaner, punchier and far more confident than anything we had done before. Matt SelvansVocalist · Camping In The Skies Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

Working with Rodaidh on Camping In The Skies has been genuinely transformative.

He understands both the technical and emotional side of production, and that showed throughout the whole process. The sessions were relaxed, collaborative and fast, and his ability to translate ideas into real improvements stood out immediately.

We wanted the songs to feel bigger, more confident and more cohesive — something that captured the energy of the band without losing the detail.

The final mixes exceeded expectations. They were cleaner, punchier and far more confident than anything we had done before. He delivered on both very busy mixes, such as Stuck in a Dream, and simpler tracks like Disobey.

The recordings have already helped us secure gigs and promote the band with pride. His honest feedback, clarity and studio environment made everything easy.

I’d tell any artist considering working with Rodaidh that they’ll get someone who truly listens, cares and delivers professional results.

Matt SelvansVocalist · Camping In The Skies

Rodaidh is calm and patient while remaining honest and critical when necessary. His suggestion to use field recordings really brought the songs together, and we worked through every mixing and mastering change together so I always knew exactly what was happening. Ben HughsSlow Mosaic · Nectar in the Hive Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

I spent a big portion of 2025 writing, recording and mixing six songs for a solo EP at home. I was proud of how much of the project I was able to complete myself, but when it came to getting it over the final hurdle, I decided to turn to Rodaidh for some advice and help with mastering.

I met Rodaidh at a jam night in Edinburgh, and we have had some fantastic improvisation sessions and discussions about music since then, so I knew he was a reliable person to take my project to.

Rodaidh is great to work with because he is calm and patient while remaining honest and critical when necessary. He encourages trying new ideas and pushing yourself to different places with your music.

A key idea he suggested was taking field recordings to enhance the fluidity and ambience of my EP, which is focused on travel and place. I felt that this idea really brought the songs together; without it, the EP would have been very different.

As well as this creative input, his technical ability when it comes to mixing and mastering is also great. He talked me through approaches and methods he regularly uses, and we worked through every change together so I always knew exactly what was happening.

I would highly recommend getting in touch with Rodaidh if you are looking for help with any musical project.

Ben HughsSlow Mosaic · Nectar in the Hive

Rodaidh turned my raw recordings into songs that sounded professional and complete, working quickly while still paying close attention to detail. He kept me clued in throughout the process and was always open to suggestions if I wanted something changed. Guy MacFarlaneGuitarist & singer-songwriter · Local Ghost Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

Rodaidh has been a good friend for years, and someone I’ve always looked up to as both a guitarist and producer. When I needed someone to mix my first EP, it was a no-brainer to go to him for help.

He turned my raw recordings into songs that sounded professional and complete, working quickly while still paying close attention to detail. He kept me clued in throughout the process, explained what he was working on, and was always open to suggestions if I wanted something changed.

I’ll happily return to Rodaidh for help with future musical projects.

Guy MacFarlaneGuitarist & singer-songwriter · Local Ghost

Rodaidh took charge of recording and mixing our debut EP while remaining open to ideas and feedback throughout. The EP exceeded my expectations and helped us make a name for ourselves and open up new gig opportunities. Jon BissetSinger · The Lost Conformists Read full testimonialHide full testimonial

Rodaidh and I worked together in our band, The Lost Conformists, where he took charge of recording and mixing our debut EP while remaining open to ideas, feedback and input throughout the process.

The EP exceeded my expectations, especially considering it was produced independently, and it helped us make a name for ourselves and open up new gig opportunities.

Having worked with Rodaidh for almost two years, I’ve found him to be patient, composed, reliable and highly competent. I trust his judgement completely, especially musically and instrumentally. I have little doubt he is one of the best guitarists in the city.

I would recommend working with Rodaidh to anyone. On top of everything else, he is a genuinely sound guy and a great person to spend time with.

Jon BissetSinger · The Lost Conformists

A huge thank you to Rodaidh for recording, mixing and mastering. His patience and encouragement throughout the process was fantastic. I feel this wouldn’t be the same record if I had recorded with anyone else — together we created something that sounds better than I could ever have imagined.

Jamie Reid (Pour Me)Singer-songwriter · Aberdeen

He quickly came up with a guitar part that sounded great and fit the song perfectly, then recorded multiple takes so I could choose the parts that worked best.

Eamonn WattThe Virtual Conductor

Rodaidh is a committed musician who works hard to produce top-standard performances, works well with other musicians and takes note of direction from the musical director.

David AlexanderMusical Director

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