About Me
Hi I’m David, and I’ve been playing both the electric and acoustic guitars for a looong time now! Over thirty five years, and I’ve been tutoring for over 10, including both private lessons and workshops. It’s been a long and interesting journey, to say the least, and the guitar has taken me to some amazing places. My favourite guitarists, in no particular order, are Jeff Beck, Carlos Santana and John McLaughlin though I’ve been influenced by many great guitarists over the years.
As a teacher, I’m well aware of the frustrations that face the novice guitar player and remember all too well my own disappointing encounters with teachers that led me ultimately to find my own way and teach myself. I forged ahead by myself, though missing the support and encouragement that a good teacher can and should provide.
While I do have an effective, structured course, I understand that everyone is different, will develop in at their own pace, and will find themselves drawn to different aspects of the instrument, be it composition, improvisation, or the modeling of unique sounds with effects. Or any kind of combination. As well as finding their own unique challenges on the instrument. So I’m flexible about where you’d like to go with the instrument and what your goals are. I try to cover all aspects, so whether you’re wanting to play the most complicated Joe Satriani solo or a simple folk song, I’m here to help take you where you want to go.
It’s a great joy to see a student get to that place we all want to get to where you loose yourself in the music and you don’t have to worry anymore about technique or where-does-this-finger-go. Passing on that flame is the great pleasure and privilege of teaching music. If it seems like I might be a good teacher for you, please get in touch to see about setting up lessons.
Parents note that I have an up-to-date, clear CRB check which can be viewed on request.
I am a full member of the Registry of Guitar Tutors at the London College of Music.
References are available on request.
Below is an intermediate acoustic fingerstyle lesson on a section of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and following that an original piece, “Moonlit Waves”, that I wrote inspired by, and using, a TC Electronic looper pedal.
TAB for the Tubular Bells lesson is available at this link:
https://www.guitarlessonsyork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Tubular-Bells-Part-2-Peace.pdf