Private Bass Guitar tutoring lessons Robertsville, MO.

y to play percussion in the school symphony while at the same time developed an intense interest in the instrument that would become my true love, the guitar.

During 1996-98 I studied jazz guitar at the New World School of the Arts music program under the direction of J.B. Dyas and Dr. Roby George. Upon graduation, I was immediately accepted to the University of Miami jazz guitar program under the direction of Randall Dollahan. It was during this time that I also refined my skills as a classical guitarist and as a composer/arranger. In addition, I began passing my knowledge onto friends and eventually began working as a teacher.

My ability to play almost any genre of music is the fruit of past experience playing with an impressive variety of music groups, including jazz combos, symphony orchestras, Andean world music ensembles, and several rock and pop groups as well. As a studio guitarist I have recorded for various artists including Jaci Velasquez, Carlos Ponce, Alexandre Pires, and Noelia.

*** Lesson Details ***
Now also available to teach online video chat lessons through Skype.

Every one of you is unique and there are many possible paths to reach your goals in music.

With my background and music industry experience, I am able to customize my lessons for you so that you can reach your desired goals. We will take some time to find out where your passion lies in music and I will use my experience and knowledge to create a customized lesson-plan that will allow us to focus on reaching your desired goals and at the same time maintain a well rounded music education.

I find this to be key in making the lessons and your practice sessions very enjoyable, fun and laid back - knowing that everything we practice, play and talk about is in line with your goals as a student.

I will also be playing along with you and demonstrating everything that we're working on - music is meant to be shared and played with others and it is important to have that experience of interaction from early on in your lessons.

So whether it's learning to accompany yourself or others, write songs, read music, understand harmony, solo, or just jam out to your favorite songs, you will be well on your way to reaching your goals within 6 months of my lessons.

Look forward to making music with you!

Want to learn a quick exercise for mastering the fretboard on your guitar? Check out my article on the TakeLessons blog here: http://takelessons.com/blog/guitar-fretboard-chart

*** Studio Equipment ***
Living room w/ grand piano and seating for parents.
Room/studio with professional recording equipment - Logic Pro X recording software, Mackie HR824 Studio Monitors, Miktech C4 Tube Microphone, UA6176 Preamp/compressor, Apogee Duet D/A converter.

*** Travel Equipment ***
I provide my instrument and teaching materials.
Students provide their instrument, music folders.

*** Specialties ***
All styles - pop, rock, classical, jazz, blues, folk, ethnic, latin, soul

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.

Over the years, he has been recognized for his outstanding musicality and his passionate performances. His guitar playing and musicianship has been described as “a combination of deep and moving musical ideas with beautiful sound and refined technique”. His performances are energetic and highly expressive, whether he is performing for a large audience or a small and intimate gathering.

In addition to frequently performing in the Charlotte, Lake Norman, and surrounding areas, he is also an inspired music teacher. He teaches various styles of guitar, including electric and steel-string acoustic guitar, as well as different musical genres such as rock, blues, and folk. As an instructor, he wants to share his love of music with his students, and his goal is to awaken the musical potential in them. He is a highly dedicated professional with a desire to not only teach students how to play the guitar but to learn how to use the guitar as a vehicle of musical expression.

d spent half the night practicing finger-picking and getting my hands to move across the fretboard. Fast forward years later, I devoted my education to the study of music education and classical guitar at the University of Vermont. I have always believed in the value in improving myself holistically as a musician, so in addition to classical guitar, I also studied jazz guitar, classical and jazz piano, performed saxophone in concert band, sang in large and chamber choirs, played in percussion ensembles, and routinely performed bluegrass, Appalachian, and Celtic music with an old-time music group. I am currently finishing a master’s degree in ethnomusicology from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, where I have been studying various Asian and Polynesian music traditions from Japan, China, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Hawai'i. I have also done fieldwork in Japan, studying traditional Japanese koto, shakuhachi, and ichigenkin music. Drawing wisdom from so many places and people I feel has helped me develop strength and versatility as a musician and as an educator.

As part of my undergraduate degree, I worked at Burlington High School in Burlington, VT, teaching and conducting concert band, leading small jazz ensembles, and teaching music theory and composition. I have over ten years of experience teaching private lessons with students ranging from five-year-old beginners to advanced adults; from children with special needs, to non-native-English students. I always develop each day’s lesson and each student's curriculum to fit the needs of each student.

My inspiration and philosophy

Early in my musical training, I studied guitar with Phil Sargent, a phenomenal jazz guitarist in the Boston/greater New England area. In one of our lessons, he detailed his daily practice routine. This involved scales, arpeggios, chord practice, ear training, solo transcribing, repertoire building, and more—all totaling six to eight hours of practice each day. I asked him why he spent so much time practicing, and I will always remember his answer: “to have the ability to play whatever I imagine on stage—to me, that is freedom.” I was awestruck by this seemingly counter-intuitive concept—that true freedom takes a lifetime of discipline. Of course, I don’t ask my young students to practice that much! But I do make it my purpose as a music teacher to gently guide students to developing the discipline to achieve their individual musical goals.

Discipline aside, I am greatly inspired by the power of music to bring people together, to foster passion and creativity in individuals, and to nourish the body and soul. It is my dream to pass on the many music traditions that have inspired me and brought so much meaning and wonder to my life.

If I seem like a good match to help further your musical goals, then I would love to hear from you!

ependent and self-sustaining musicians.