Dave I. TakeLessons Instructor guitar, piano, mandolin, voice, songwriting Hermitage, TN

Dave's breadth of experience and musical diversity goes beyond mere eclecticism to a deeper understanding of music in any style. A classically-trained guitarist with an advanced degree from the Manhattan School Of Music in New York, he grew up on the mountain folk music of his mother's Kentucky roots and took his first steps in music learning waltzes, jigs and reels from a contradance band pianist. Skilled in a variety of musical styles, he is equally at home playing rock, country, blues, folk, or jazz. An acclaimed songwriter and performer, he has released six independent albums and played in venues from concert halls to dive bars across the eastern US.

Dave began teaching in college and has been a full-time teacher and musician since 1987. He ran a successful private teaching business in New York for eighteen years before moving to Nashville in the summer of 2005, and now teaches regular workshops and classes for the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in addition to maintaining his private lesson roster and a busy performance schedule. He is presently accepting students on guitar, piano, mandolin, and voice, and is committed to getting to know the goals, needs, and learning style of each student.

I have learned to be an extremely flexible and adaptable teacher. In my twenty years teaching I have worked with students from very young children to retirees, beginners to working professionals, and I have found that everyone has their own way of connecting with and absorbing the material. My goal first and foremost with beginners is to encourage their interest and develop a love for music; when that connection has been made a the capacity for disciplined study develops very naturally as the student begins to set higher and higher goals.

With more advanced students I strive to help them identify and focus these goals, and then we work together to devise a curriculum to get them there. No matter the skill or experience level of the student, I believe there is always more than one way to approach a particular concept or musical idea, and my job as a teacher is to find the approach that makes it most natural for the student to grasp.

I do believe that learning to read music in at least some form is an important part of a musical education, but as a working professional I also know that developing the ear is essential. My classical background taught me the value of disciplined practice, but my love for rock & roll reminds me that we are drawn to music because of the way it makes us feel. And because I find my greatest satisfaction as a player in making music with others, I try to impart that to my students and help them develop the listening skills and knowledge of their instrument that will allow them to share in that experience.

rhythm and groove skills for songwriters. practical theory and its application. improvisation in jazz, pop, and rock contexts. songwriting. classical guitar and piano technique and repertoire. removing technical blocks using concepts from yoga and Alexander Technique. listening skills and ear training.

Manhattan School Of Music - music performance - 1991-1993
Queens College CUNY - music performance - 1987-1991
Herricks High School - high school - 1981-1985

guitar, piano, mandolin, voice, songwriting