Private Guitar tutoring lessons Cortaro, AZ.

years. During this time, I was able to take lessons from master violinists such as Marc Thayer and Glen Cherry. During this time, I was given the opportunity to perform with the New World Symphony at 17 years old for pops concert conducted and performed by Chuck Mangione in El Doral, FL.

I later on accepted a scholarship for violin performance at the University of Miami for my Bachelor of Music, and earned my Master of Music from Florida State University. I also taught string orchestras for 10 years at Ruth K. Broad Bay Harbor K-8 Center, South Florida Youth Symphony as conductor (and now composer!), and conductor of the Greater Miami Youth Symphony. I was appointed Assistant Conductor of the Alhambra Orchestra for two seasons under the guidance of my high school orchestra teacher, Mr. Reginald Nicholson (1947-2011). It was here where I was able to work on my compositions, orchestrations, and conduct a fine group of musicians.

I now live in sunny Los Angeles, in the Sherman Oaks area, and I'm loving the new change. I am eager to share my knowledge with new students on various subjects such as learning a string instrument to learning a different language. Please feel free to ask me any questions.

I am looking forward to getting to know you and your goals for learning!
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LESSON DETAILS
I have been teaching music as an adult, certified teacher since I was in college, but have done teaching as early as 15 years old.

I will help you create a fantastic technical base so you will be able to play with ease as your skill level develops, all while keeping the lessons fun and engaging.

MUSIC STUDIO
Piano, Violin, Guitar, Music Stand, General Teaching Aids, Recording Equipment.

TRAVEL EQUIPMENT
I can provide a music stand and basic materials but the student is expected to have their own instruments and to buy the music I recommend. I can recommend various vendors/shops where you can buy the ideal instrument for your lessons.

EXPERTISE
I am classically-trained musician that also specializes in Tango performance, Latin/Jazz, Rock, and a variety of other styles. I believe that training in the classical aesthetic will create a firm, solid foundation to crossover into other areas listed above. With a good dose of technical exercises, scales, and a variety of repertoire, my students always turn out well-rounded, ready to tackle almost any kind of music they wish to learn.

Thank you for stopping by and let me know what you would like to learn!

on. Whether you want to learn to play songs from your favorite band, rock out with awesome guitar solos, play beautiful spanish guitar pieces, or write you masterpiece, I can help you realize your musical dreams. My goal is to inspire the next generation of musicians to get the most out of their instrument, and foster a life long love of music that can enrich their lives and the world around them.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am a laid back teacher with a diverse and serious knowledge of music. I truly love music and inspiring new or continuing musicians. I can adapt my lessons to the student so that if you have professional goals I will do my best to challenge and help you to reach them, or if you are a child who is just beginning I will do my best to teach you in a fun and relaxed manner that keeps you excited to come back and learn more the next week. No matter what the age or skill level I take my job very seriously, and try to make the process seriously fun.
If the students is interested in reading standard music notation I teach from the Hal Leonard Guitar Method series, which are the books of choice for countless music instructors. After 3 to 6 months most students have finished at least the first book in the series and can read and play simple songs easily.
If you are interested in reading tablature or chord charts, I have many lesson plans from years of experience that can quickly teach you how to play everything from simple folk songs and popular music to complex Jimi Hendrix solos.
If you are interested in classical guitar, or vocals I start with books of simple spanish guitar etudes and can work with you all the way up to complex advanced works from Segovia and the other masters. In a few months, even beginning students can play beautiful pieces that will impress family and friends.
If you are a banjo student I teach from the Hal Leonard Banjo Method series. I can work with simple clawhammer techniques, or more complex bluegrass methods. In a few months most students can play many simple country and folk songs.
If you are a vocal student I can teach anything from rock/country styles, to showtunes and classical techniques. In a few months I can show how to sing and breath correctly, and help learn how to read music and train your ears to sing in tune.

*** Studio Equipment ***
practice room, amps, and the paper to write down the lessons

*** Travel Equipment ***
I have all the necessary equipment, guitars, banjos, amps, etc. I expect the student to have their own instrument, but I can provide something for the lesson like an amplifier.

*** Specialties ***
I can teach any genre or method. I base the lessons on the students desires and abilities, not on any predetermined plan I may have. I can teach in standard notation, tablature, chord charts, or improvisational methods. I can also teach songwriting, performance/recording techniques, and classical composition.

to get you READY to play music, but perhaps was not music in and of itself.

I find that when I get right down to the nitty gritty of playing, and show my students a song they love and know, and get them playing guitar by the end of the session that they are usually thrilled and excited.

In the end it makes them work harder and practice long because THEY ARE PLAYING MUSIC ON THE GUITAR!!!

Certainly exercises are of paramount importance, but when you can make that connection with a student and help them to relate to the guitar the exercises are ultimately easier to them, and the experience of playing guitar an enjoyable and less alienating task.

Grab your guitar and start today!! Let's get you playing TODAY!!!!

TESTIMONIALS:

“I've been working with David for a couple of months, and it has been a great experience. I'm new to bass, with a little guitar experience--he quickly sized up what I knew and had me working on exercises and a great bass line that got me playing right away. He has been very flexible and accommodating of my schedule needs, and he gives plenty of positive and constructive feedback. I've been working in education for nearly 30 years, and I know a great teacher when I see one. David fits the bill, and I'm lucky to be working with him.”

Rudy F., Principal
Middle School

“My son had been taking lessons for seven years and was losing interest. David's passion for music, knowledge of music theory, ability to read the student and know the best way to approach the lessons is exactly what my son needed. Along with his background in a wide variety of genres….classical, rock, jazz, etc. has made learning more exciting, resulting in a renewed interest.”

Tammy S., University Place

“David is an outstanding instructor! My son is 5 years old and loves him. My son is occasionally a difficult child with his own special quirks, but David is so patient and observant and tailors the lessons as we go along week to week to keep my son engaged, encouraged and learning. I also have two younger children who must tag along to the lesson and even they are excited during the lessons and are already asking when they start their lessons! We will be starting at least one more child's lessons with him during this coming school year! He is great!”

Cherise H., Parkland

“Loving the relaxed atmosphere with David. Bargain prices for the one on one experience with such an awesome, educated and talented musician.”

Raven R., Tacoma

“David is an amazing talent and provides me with much needed inspiration. In little over a year, I have learned a tremendous amount about nearly all styles of guitar, classical and lead guitar in particular. It's very helpful to have an awesome instructor who is extremely knowledgeable and very patient. His lesson plans are geared towards what I want to learn and the lessons that we work on cover all the techniques that are necessary to take my skills to the next level. He makes every lesson fun and he works with me until I am comfortable to move on.”

Larry L., Gig Harbor

“David tailors each lesson dynamically to my own progression which has been great. Gauges progression and gives you things to work on before the next lesson. Highly recommend him!”

Kory J., Tacoma

"David has been our son's guitar instructor for the better part of a year. During that time we've appreciated his patient encouragement, especially during the early weeks of instruction. His ability to individually tailor his teaching to his students , incorporating their musical interests has helped our son progress quickly and helped keep him motivated. he really is a wonderful teacher."

Amy L., Tacoma

"Where do I begin? I started with a guitar and a couple of chords...(A lot of desire but basically an empty canvas)." 'This was my life for a number of years until I met David.

Now I must first admit, I am ADD so teaching me and captivating my attention is no easy task...David not only broke through that barrier but opened the door to world of music I had aways felt and now suddenly I could touch.

If you posses the desire to learn and the drive to work...the sky is the limit."

Wes H.
City of Destiny
Tacoma, WA

"I am very happy with my decision to take lessons with David. In just 2 months I've gone from strumming some chords to understanding picking patterns, learning how to put together an entire song, and expanding my techniques. I am very surprised at how much technical skill I have been able to pick up in such a short period of time"

Marianne B., Tacoma

"I'm 46 years old and my only known talent is for overcomplicating things. I've always admired a good guitar player and wanted to learn to play myself--who doesn't?--but felt I didn't have the talent or just "couldn't do it." Then I found David and he said, 'Oh yes you can. Commit to 4 lessons up front and you'll see that you can.' I took the leap and sure enough, he had me playing blues riffs in less than one month. All I had to do was listen and do as he instructed me to and it all comes very naturally. There's no stress, just a whole lot of fun! If you're like me and you thought you couldn't play guitar, start with David and just have some fun with it. It's simple. You won't want to put the guitar down again!"

Dan D., Tacoma

I had been playing guitar for about 5 years and had only been self taught. I found myself completely stuck playing the same chords and not able to play riffs or solos at all. In my first lesson I was playing the blues with slides and hammer ons and pull offs. In a couple of lessons he had me soloing in different keys and playing riffs from guitar gods! He was able to teach me in a couple lessons what took me years trying to teach myself! He makes lessons so much fun because not only are you learning the music theory but he relates it to popular songs that you can practice along with. He also has so much knowledge in other aspects as well. He can teach you about music gear and amps or help you compose your own music. He caters to your style and taste in music and can teach you ANYTHING!

Ashley A.

I love guitar period, but it's overtly frustrating when you have no idea where to start, or how to play at all. I went through multiple guitar instructors trying to learn how to play and each of them weren't very specific, or didn't hone in on any one thing at a time so you could really start to get it down and process it. Then we happened to find David, and he was really what we were looking for. I started picking up chords like no other, It helped, and is helping tremendously. He goes into depth about the song,letting you comprehend it a little more, and ultimately learning it quicker and better.

Skye R., Tacoma WA

I have had 4 different Blues guitar Teacher in the last 6 months, getting nowhere as far as really playing some Blues until I ran across David. The other teachers just wanted me to learn the pentatonic scales, Major and Minor. That took a lot of boring weeks and I am sure I will need to know those scales but I just wanted someone to show / teach me Blues chords, related to Blues songs and the timing to the chord changes so I could start playing some kind of Blues. I have had 6 one hour lessons so far with David and I am playing the Blues. The first 4 hours Dave showed me a E, A, B7 blues chord progression with some step up and step down notes. The 2nd 2 hours Dave showed me a A, D9, A7,E9 Blues chords and Blues timing with slides.

I take one hour Lessons every Thursday and in 6 hours I am playing the Blues. I picked up the guitar about 6 months ago, started teaching myself and not really getting anywhere. I am not a fast learner, about average in learning something new. Now I set a home Learning my guitar and polishing the Blues songs that David has taught me, starting to get FUN.

Les F. Tacoma, Wa.

Working with David has made me focus on areas of my chops that needed fine tuning. He provides the basic exercises and tools that, when practiced enough in a zen-like manner, clarifies your understanding of movement on the fret board, and makes you sound a bit more professional. Questions regarding speed, theory, notation, composition, and even string size, are ready for answer with David, which is what keeps me working with him. From begining, to intermediate, to professional levels, if you're looking to improve your chops, Dave's your guy.

Frank L., Seattle WA

I had tried many different instructors and had become very frustrated with trying to learn guitar. Within one lesson David had me playing ACDC and RUSH! David just has a way of explaining things so that they make sense and doesn't waste any time getting right down to the nuts and bolts of guitar. A lot of other instructors spend alot of time getting you 'ready' to play guitar, but with David we got down to playing guitar right away!

Stevie J., Olympia WA

“I started receiving lessons from David a few years ago, to improve my guitar abilities. I always used to tell people, "I've been playing guitar since the Eighties, though you would never know it." At the time I started, I knew some Metal riffs, three-chord Punk Rock progressions, and simple 12-bar blues. Though I took two guitar classes and first-year Music Theory in college in the early Nineties, the only scale I could say I knew was "blues pentatonic," emphasis on the quotation marks.

My goal was to relearn Modes/Scales, and brush up on theory, so that I could write more complex material. David taught me that, and so much more. Over these few years, I've learned Progressive Rock, Fusion/Jazz, and even some Country styles, as well as a great deal more about Metal and, yes, even Punk from David. I can play leads and solos with much more proficiency, in timing with the rhythm, and more tonally correct, than I ever could before. He has also helped me read music better, construct more professional-sounding compositions, and has started me on my own path to produce my own recordings, from recommending and using recording software, to capturing dynamics with mic placement, to mixing the rough takes to get the most out of the sound.

For a musician of any level or caliber, having an instructor like David is a true asset--for he has the knowledge and skills to take an entry-level musician every step of the way to becoming a professional performer, recorder, mixer, engineer, and producer. The only limit to the lesson's potential is your own level of determination, which David quite expertly helps you to improve with every session. Even if your goal is to simply learn to play one song on one instrument--and David teaches MANY instruments--he will have you playing that song like the musician who wrote it before you realize it--as long as you stick with your practice between lessons. That part's up to you!”

Marc D., Apple Valley CA

*** Studio Equipment ***
Mac
Logic
Presonus
invariable guitars, amps, keyboards, and other stuff.
Tama drumset, Full Mic's.
University trained mind and honed skills. Who cares about the software.

*** Specialties ***
Generally come from conservatory/ classical background so utilize classical methods of teaching with a contemporary application to suit modern day application

in Oakland where I finished my M.A. in Music Composition as well as my M.F.A. in Electronic Music and Recording Media. All the while pursuing a mastery of the instruments that caught my ear in the first place.

I have now returned to Tucson to work on my music and further my education in the field of philosophy at the University of Arizona.

*** Lesson Details ***
I am laid back and playful in my approach. I like to gear lessons toward the interests of the student, and if I am doing my job correctly, all traditional technique will be painless. I also like to delve into music theory to give one a deeper appreciation as well as an understanding and steady grasp of the tools of composition if their heart is so inclined. When it comes to music I am rather eclectic and I feel every style has something to add to the techniques of a solid performer, so I tend to draw from many disparate places to offer a fuller experience. In no time at all, you should be playing pieces you love, understanding how they work, and perhaps embellishing them or writing your own.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Keyboard, Guitar, Amps

*** Travel Equipment ***
Provide: My guitar, music stand, and amp if necessary.
Student Provides: Their instrument (Piano/guitar etc.)

*** Specialties ***
Rock/ Jazz/ Classical/ Experimental

3 season. Also in 1992 I started my own business as a pre-school music specialist and that has been my day job for the last 20 years. I'm known as "Mr. Ray" to tens of thousands of Tucson pre-schoolers and see about 1500 little guys a week!

I have been teaching guitar and voice privately for 35years. I've had students as long as 8 years! Teaching is one of my greatest passions in life. I have a wealth of experience to draw from and would love to help you or your child realize your dreams! Obviously I specialize in kids but have had many adult students also.

I am also a recording engineer with a multi track project studio. I have produced 2 children's CD's: "Mr. Ray Sings the Dinosaur Dance and Other Favorites" and "Mr. Ray Sings Lullabies".

I've been writing songs since the 70's and can help you in many ways in that field!

*** Lesson Details ***
I have a patient style that is infused with energy! My curriculum depends on age and student goals. Acoustic guitar and voice are my specialties. Texts include Hal Leonard Guitar Method Books 1 - 3 and Beginning Classroom Guitar by Philip Hemo as well as strumming patterns and finger picking. I do assign homework. Voice lessons include ear training, vocal exercises, accessing all notes in your range and , of course, working on songs of music styles/artists you like. All students are furnished with a cd recording of the lesson. The goal for most is to perform and I have many opportunities including recitals and X-mas shows. After 3 - 6 months? Progress depends on you!

*** Studio Equipment ***
Lessons in a music room, recording equipment, keyboard, PA system, mic, multi-track recorder, double french doors in glass so parents can see the lessons without being in the same room. Students take home a CD of the lesson.

*** Specialties ***
acoustic guitar, all styles vocal

ngs, commercials, albums, and CD's with talented artist. Learning to play from a DVD or the internet can not properly teach a beginner bass player, because there should be a student/teacher interaction, one has to already know how to play in order for a DVD to be effective, and i truly believe one will still need an instructor. i enjoy teaching and playing bass. i teach (4 to 6 string), which includes learning to read bass clef notes, scales, chords, keys signatures and time on the music staff, etc., etc., i can teach tab also. i like to teach beginners to give them the correct and formal fingering techniques, then later if they like, they can go all willy nilly. i get satisfactory results. i also love playing guitar and piano, i know these instruments very well and because i want to teach as many as i can to keep real music alive, i also teach beginner guitar and piano, all the above applies to guitar and piano lessons, and music theory and ear training. i like using small i's

*** Lesson Details ***
Depending on the student's current level of understanding music and playing your instrument, i start with the healthy way to play your instrument, traditional left hand and right hand techniques, learning exercises, scales, chords, keys, ear training for how to find the part in songs, also music theory including how to read music, and improvising, then different styles of playing bass and guitar, including thump and pluck, now known as slap bass, hammer and tap, harmonics, flamenco and more, most of all i make it fun. With practice you will know how to play your instrument very well, or if you just want to learn songs or licks, its all good i work for you. are you ready? i am, lets go

*** Travel Equipment ***
i can provide a bass, a guitar, a keyboard and amp, but i expect student to have their own instrument and amp to practice

*** Specialties ***
i teach all genres, and i teach you to understand the music on your instrument.

g the skills we have taught you.

Without practical application of the skills we teach, lessons would be a bore. So, many times we find songs that exemplify the skill we are working on. This makes the learning process fun and educational at the same time!

Equipment:

GUITARS & BASSES: Gibson, Charvel, Fender, Peavey, Cordoba, Guild, Takamine, Yamaha

GUITAR & BASS AMPS: Blackstar, Egnater, Fender, Line 6, Peavey, Roland, and Behringer

MICS: AKG, Audio Technica, CAD Audio, Rode, Sennheiser, Shure, Studio Projects, and Yamaha

KEYBOARDS & SYNTHESIZERS: Korg, Roland, Yamaha, Casio

DRUMS: Pearl

OUTBOARD GEAR: Universal Audio, Alesis, Art, Audio Logic, Behringer, and Studio Projects

SOFTWARE: Cakewalk Sonar Platinum, Cakewalk Sonar X3 Producer, Universal Audio UAD-2 Quad Flexi DSP, Soundtoys Bundle, Celemony Melodyne, Slate Digital FG-X, Steven Slate Drums Platinum, Antares Auto-Tune, Aspire, Antares Articulator, Choir, Harmony Engine, Throat, WAVES Waverider, OneKnob Series Bundle, CLA Artist & Kramer Signature, XLN Audio Addictive Drums, BBE Sonic Maximizer, Line 6 POD Farm 2.5 w/multiple packs

ur playing to the next level!