Guitar with Dave B.

Dave began playing guitar, ukulele, and piano when he was about 8 years old. He added banjo when he was 17. A few years later, he began teaching his friends how to play. That was more than 35 years ago. He has played in hundreds of shows (musical and theatrical) since then around the Denver area, including being musical director on several productions. In the 1980s and 1990s, he toured around the world playing banjo with the U.S. Department of Defense shows and also played with the Hollywood USO club, performing for military in California, Washington, Nevada, and Colorado, appearing with many celebrities, including Bob Hope, James Stewart, and Martha Raye. Dave studied Music Education at Adams State College (now Adams State University) in Alamosa, Colorado. He currently owns (and plays) six banjos: three 5-string banjos, one tenor (4-string) banjo, a banjolele (a small version strung with four nylon strings like a ukulele), and a banjolin (a small version strung with four pairs of steel string like a mandolin). His musical interests are varied, as he has played the 5-string banjo in the styles of bluegrass, country, rock, jazz, ragtime, classical, and various types of improvisation. Dave's day job is to train people in the business world how to use computers, software, and methodologies. He is often acclaimed for his patience in answering everyone's questions and ensuring they understand the materials. With this background, Dave can provide the teaching skills to work with students of any level, identify their individual needs and interests, and quickly assess their capabilities to design lesson plans specifically for them. *** Lesson Details *** Dave believes in a complete approach to playing music, so lessons will of course include the manual work of playing. Music theory will also be part of each lesson; not a lot, but enough to understand how to read musical scores, tablature, and chord progression charts, and how to play with other musicians. A unique four-week curriculum will be developed for each student, based on their experiences and interests. For students who want to learn the banjo but do not have one, a loaner banjo will be available during the lessons at no additional charge. For beginners, the lessons will provide the opportunity explore the many aspects of banjo playing. A lot of focus will be placed on both hands: the picking hand and the chording hand. For the picking hand, the lessons will include how to use a flat pick and how to finger pick (with fingers alone and also with fingerpicks). For the chording hand, a handful of chords will be initially explored that will allow the student to play a large portion of all the songs ever written. For more advanced students, the lessons will be tailored to their skills and experience and interests to take them to the next levels they'd like to reach. All music styles will be considered, including bluegrass, country, rock, jazz, ragtime, classical, and various types of improvisation. *** Studio Equipment *** I have a loaner banjo available during lessons for students who want to learn but do not own one. *** Travel Equipment *** I have a loaner banjo available during lessons for students who want to learn but do not own one. *** Specialties *** One of my specialties is classical banjo (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven).