Music can be a mystical thing. The way it can invoke memories and daydreams; its ability to bring people together is a power that can only be wielded by something as universal as music.

Like many, I found my solace in music. Fortunately, in my youth, I was gifted a guitar. And with that gift the trajectory of my life changed forever. I had found a way to express myself and an icebreaker for when social awkwardness would rear its ugly head.

I spent many hours practicing my craft. Learning to write songs on my instrument of choice before experimenting with any instrument I could get my hands on. Constantly expanding my knowledge and understanding. The fragments of information continued to add up but I still strayed from a traditional understanding of this thing we know and love called music. I had an adverse reaction to further education. Thinking that a traditional approach of proper music theory would stifle my creativity and put unwanted chains on my playing. But when I finally saw past my hubris and became willing to become the student once again, a teacher appeared and held the door open to me for a full understanding of what I had been missing.

Many of my students come in for their first lesson and express that their interest led them to buying an instrument and then attempting to learn from a book or youtube videos before becoming discouraged. Beginning study in any subject at the start can be overwhelming and frustrating without the proper guidance. I spent years circling the knowledge of what I now understand as an interconnected system built up from very simple concepts. I was fortunate in that I eventually found the guidance I needed to put myself on the path I had always sought. And now I strive to do the same with my students.

From an understanding of various learning styles and personalities I enjoy finding the metaphors to make learning music fun and accessible. Whether it’s relating the concepts to an 8 year old whose major interest is PokemonGo or to a middle aged man with a career and family with a penchant for mathematics, I enjoy finding the symmetries in life and music and unveiling the mysterious language so much of us enjoy but only in our daydreams see ourselves communicating with.

Hope to see you in a lesson,

-Dave