Defiance Music Lessons

ptionally good lesson.

Making music is a skill which can bring lifelong joy to the musician as well as everyone around them. While I can easily ensure that my students enjoy music-making while they are taking lessons, my ultimate goal is that students continue to want to make music throughout their entire life, even after they stop taking lessons. I firmly believe that my job as a teacher is to train my students to be independent and self-sufficient musicians. Many teachers teach by rote, playing a passage to a student and then having the student play it back. Though this method is helpful in some situations, students who are taught in this manner often find that they are only able to play the songs taught to them in lessons, and that to learn a new song they must have a teacher by their side showing them how the song goes. In my lessons, however, students are taught to learn their own music through sight-reading, ear-training, music theory, and listening to and critiquing their own playing. Over time, this allows the student more and more freedom to make music without a teacher.

ls ***
My students can expect professional, expert advise from a working performance artist. One of my main philosophies is a focus on fun. If music is fun, then students will practice more - which leads to accelerating returns. My students can expect lessons tailored to their specific goals. First I will discuss with the student musical influences and genre preferences, then I will assess the student's current abilities and we will begin designing a weekly regimen of practice and study. As a product of the Internet generation, I recommend using all the tools available to my students including the Internet to further their goals. My students will also learn to perform with other musicians, so we will typically have a segment of each lesson dedicated to jam time. Whether my students aspire to be professional performance artists, impress their love interests, or just rock out in their bedrooms, I work with my students so that they can do exactly that.

*** Studio Equipment ***
one bedroom apt...hardwood floor...central room for studio...music stands, room parents to sit, chairs...

*** Travel Equipment ***
I bring a music stand, an acoustic guitar, my handout literature, and any other equipment (mic, stand, vocal amp, electric guitar, guitar amp) based on what my students want to learn. I expect my students to own whatever instruments they want to learn.

*** Specialties ***
I specialize in teaching acoustic and electric guitar and stage performance. I teach using handouts that I customize for students and have lessons made up around different concepts such as - learning to identify what key a song is in - how to use 3 chord combinations - learning scales and when to use them - these type of things. I usually teach based on how I learned, which includes - using the Internet to learn songs - how to figure out how a particular song is played - getting into good practice habits - etc. My genres of specialty are Blues, Rock/Classic Rock/Southern Rock, and Acoustic Singer/Songwriter. What I like to do is ask a student what kind of music or songs they would like to learn, then build them up to the level they need to be to play those songs or that style of interest.

guitarist Peter Leitch.

In 1993 he started St. Louis SoundWorks with Grammy nominated Adam Long and Mark McClanahan that specialized in mobile recording, and composing music for films and commercials.

As a musician, David has composed over 200 pieces for various instruments and combinations from small chamber ensembles to full orchestra. He was bandleader of two creative ensembles that focused on alternative notation compositions and improvised music, and later co-founded the avant-garde influenced rock band Diverted Course which released two CD's.

As a teacher, David has taught classical guitar and musicianship as an adjunct faculty member at Meramec College and Webster University. He has given seminars on the music of Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ornette Coleman, and Anthony Braxton. He has been teaching privately for 23 years and many of his students have gone on to successful music careers and performed all over the world.

*** Lesson Details ***
I teach students of all ages in a fun and positive manner. I am flexible and will tailor the lessons to satisfy your own individual goals. Whether you are a beginner that wants to gain a foundation in technique, sight reading, and basic theory or an intermediate or more advanced player that wants to increase their knowledge and polish their skills, I will devise a plan to meet your needs. I encourage regular practice and like my students to keep a journal to monitor their progress.

I teach a variety of styles including classical guitar, blues, rock, jazz, and avant-garde.

Ultimately, I believe everyone needs a creative outlet, a way to express themselves, and has something unique to say, and I aim to help those students find their own voice.

*** Studio Equipment ***
Extra guitars and amps at both places. Mixing board at the studio. Only has a upright piano at his home address but has a keyboard at studio

*** Travel Equipment ***
Expect my students to provide the guitar. Amplification is optional.

*** Specialties ***
Classical, jazz, rock, blues, and avant-garde.

confidence, and expression!

Some of the musical styles I regularly teach: Rock, Alternative, Pop, Musical Theatre, Blues, Jazz, Funk, Soul, R&B, Classical.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you to become a better musician!

hilosophy: I use Piano Adventures as the basic course guide. I have found it the most productive and enjoyable for my students. I us a minimum of the Lesson and Theory book. I add the other books that accompany each level based on the particular students needs and interests. I believe that a good grounding in Theory is essential as a student who becomes proficient in sight reading, no matter how well he/she plays by ear, will find that the doors for lifetime musical fulfillment with be much wider. However, with a student who has already had some lessons I will be happy to continue with any method that the student is currently using.

Lesson Style: I also believe that Piano Lessons should be fun. Since I generally teach one on one, lessons can be tailored to each student and I add supplementary material to the Piano course as soon as possible based on the student’s progress and interests. I am willing to add supplementary music in most any genre from current radio hits, to Pop Standards and soundtracks, as well as Holiday Music based on the student’s culture. There is no proper pace as long as the student is willing to practice and is interested in learning. I am always surprised and happy when a student “gets” the language of music and really starts to express himself/herself through the instrument and I always find that my students teach me as much as I teach them

ld including many caribbean islands like Aruba, Barbados, Curacao, St. Maarten and St. Kitts.

I offer lessons to people of ALL AGES! I customize my lessons to focus on the things YOU WANT TO LEARN. My favorite thing to teach is how to play by ear! I can teach you the system that all professional musicians use to be able to play songs instantly after hearing it once. It really is possible with a little practice.

I do also teach the classical repertoire if that is what you are more interested in. For most students, I teach a combination of playing by ear and learning music theory, as well as some classical repertoire.

rea and outside. I am willing to travel if need and I am also releasing my first single November 9th 2018 stay tuned for that!!