Waimanalo, HI Songwriting Lessons

David enjoys teaching students from all different backgrounds and levels of proficiency. Whether you are just starting out or a virtuoso shredder in the making, he is happy to teach you! Over all, he is fairly laid back, as long as you practice. He usually combines work with reading off of the treble clef (what he likens to "eating your vegetables." You may not want to do it, but it will make you a healthier musician!) with learning more popular songs (or songs the student says they would like to learn) through tablature and chord charts, depending on the style of the song.

David is also very pro music theory. He usually incorporates music theory into the curriculum in conjunction with the material already being discussed. He is also very knowledgeable about composition/songwriting, and if the student is interested in learning more about this area, he is happy to share what he knows!

I am a songwriter and an ASCAP Member. I was a songwriting major at Dick Grove School of Music. My teachers were K Parker protege to Diane Warren, Jack Smalley, Jack Braheny and Robin Randall. All of these teachers have amazing credits in the songwriting community. I have worked with many students helping them start their songwriting careers or helping them hone them. I teach lyric writing as well as melody writing. Sarah Thiele is one of our pro songwriting students she has released 6 albums and has hit songs on television shows such "One Tree Hill". My partner was a composing and arranging major at Dick Grove and teaches melody writing and lyric writing also along with arranging for rhythm sections.

1992 Tony Nomination "Best Original Score"
MFA NYU Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program
BMI Workshop
Ms. P. plays and musicals have been developed and produced in New York City and regionally, at Goodpeed Opera, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Barrington Stage Co., San Jose Rep., York Players, Lambs Theatre, Surflight Theatre, Willows Theatre and have won a total of ten San Francisco Bay Area Critics Awards.

Hello! I absolutely love to write songs! If you are looking for someone who can help you take your songwriting to the next level, or even if you are a beginner who doesn't know where to begin, I can help you succeed! I am proficient in music theory and I am a musician with over 20 years of experience as a classical vocalist, harpist, ukulele player, guitarist, and have been teaching for the past few years--and I absolutely love seeing my students' musical potential become realized!

Songwriting is a beautiful, clever, cathartic, and therapeutic form of expression. There are many different ways to begin the process, especially given your talent--whether you are proficient in guitar playing, harp playing, singing, or anything else. The process of song-writing is different depending on the person. I can help you hone your skills in songwriting as it relates to your unique processes and talents.

Some people begin by hearing the melodies in their heads and humming along, where they

I have many years of experience writing songs and even helping singers to refine songs that they have written. Let me help you formulate those songs you have been dreaming of and make them a reality!

I am both composer of contemporary classical music and a professional jazz pianist. I know the European Art music tradition, its theory and notation intimately. But my native language is the blues and all forms of living American music. In addition to my classical pieces, I've written many jazz compositions. I spent a lot of time in the recording studio, and am an experienced recording engineer. All these skills enable me to very effectively teach all aspects of songwriting, from the study of harmony to the development of basic ideas, and overall arrangement. We can a creative approach, or look at existing tunes and see why they work so well. I am deeply experienced in the Great American songbook and what also music of the Beatles, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, Motown, and on and on.

I'll show you some great techniques to start writting your own songs and make it qork in the real world. From country, pop, rock, hard rock to metal music, from old schold to super modern techniques to make it sound as it is in your head. How to approach vocal melodies, hiw to harmonize and create everything around to make the song work.