Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about David’s Private Lessons
What is David’s musical background? David earned a performance degree in classical voice while simultaneously studying the guitar privately. In this way he was able to immediately integrate college-level classical theory into his study of the guitar. He began composing original songs in 1996 and began performing concerts in 1998. Since then, he has recorded and released 3 independent albums and performed hundreds of concerts around the country. To view David's teaching biography, please click here. To read David’s resume, please click here.
When is David available to teach lessons? David is currently available on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Click here to view David's online schedule.
Are individual lessons available (as opposed to weekly lessons?) Yes. David gives priority to students who are scheduled for weekly lessons, but in the event that a student wants a single lesson or a monthly “tune-up,” this can be arranged based on David’s availability.
How much are lessons? $30.00 for a 25 minute lesson, and $60.00 for a 55 minute lesson. Lessons begin on the hour or on the half hour, so the 5 minute slot allows for transition time.
Where does David teach his lessons? In his private home studio in Marysville, WA. He is also available to teach lessons via Skype.
I live too far away from Marysville to meet with David in person. Is there another option? Yes – there are two excellent options. The first is to take lessons via video conferencing, using a program called Skype. The second option is to come to David’s annual guitar Symposium, which takes place over the course of a weekend every January. Students have flown in from outside the Pacific Northwest to attend this limited-space residential seminar each year.
What can David teach me in lessons? David teaches a wide variety of subjects pertaining to the guitar and beyond. Please click here to view the list of David’s current available topics.
I’m an electric guitarist. Can I still pursue lessons with David? Absolutely! David does not own or play an electric guitar, but there are theory fundamentals which are universal to guitar including fretboard knowledge and music theory for guitar. David has had many electric guitarists as students.
I’m a classical (nylon string) guitarist. Can David still teach me lessons? David has plenty of wisdom that he can impart to you. Remember, though, if you are seeking a purely classical pedagogy (Andres Segovia, etc.,) it is recommended that you pursue a teacher who will take you in that direction. David is a teacher (and student) of the steel string acoustic guitar.
I am interested in the styles of funk, blues, and jazz fusion. Does David teach on these topics? David does not have sufficient background in these styles of guitar to teach them, so he is not able to assist you at this point of his musical journey.
I’m a lead guitarist looking for some new hot licks to play on the guitar. Would David be able to help me with this? David’s primary background is in rhythm guitar, which includes developing neck knowledge, strumming patterns, and fingerstyle patterns. He primarily uses the guitar to accompany his voice (as opposed to playing lead lines over another guitarist’s accompaniment.) He does enjoy creating large instrumental segments with some lead playing on some of his songs, but if this is your primary focus, he would encourage you to seek out a guitar teacher who specializes in lead guitar.
I’m a recreational guitarist without a lot of time to dedicate to the instrument. Would I be a good fit for David’s studio? As long as you’re willing to dedicate an average of 30 minutes a day towards practicing David’s assigned work, you will benefit from lessons with him.
I don’t have much experience reading notation. Can I still take lessons with David? Yes! David does have quite a bit of background in notation and tablature, and can assist you in developing this helpful aspect of the guitar.
I’ve just recently purchased / been given a guitar. I’ve never played it. Can I join David’s roster of students? Not yet – you need some experience playing the instrument first. David is looking for intermediate students who have had a few years of guitar study and practice.
Do I have to be a Christian to study with David? No. However, David does insist that songs you bring into his studio not contain explicit lyrics.
Why not just use free guitar resources online? There are lots of helpful resources on the web, but nothing replaces the one-on-one dynamic that is created in a private lesson with a qualified instructor. The private lesson atmosphere also allows for excellent practicing accountability, which leads to faster progress.
