See what my students have to say...
This is the guy you want to take lessons with if you are seriously committed!
After weeks of shopping around the internet for a guitar teacher, I concluded that David was to be at the top of my short list. So I emailed him and received a call back the same day. Having taken lessons in my teenage years, I was glad to hear that he uses William Leavitt's excellent method books, with which I had some previous experience, as a foundation to build on. David will take you in any direction you want to go, but he won't compromise on the academic side of things. He is, first and foremost, a *music* teacher, rather than just a guitar instructor. If you just want somebody to show you a few Led Zeppelin riffs, there are probably easier and less expensive options out there for you. And while he is among the best teachers in the region (I've had a few), he is not a magician. YOU will have to do your part and practice if you want to improve. Music literacy is a top priority in David's lesson plan, and you might not realize just how important it is until you suddenly realize that you're able sight-read actual sheet music in real time while all of your buddies are still struggling in slow motion with tablature! Put another way, he teaches you how to teach yourself, which is what all good teachers do. Don't let my review scare you into thinking that lessons with David are boring or tedious - quite the contrary! He's one of the easiest guys to talk to and you'll never feel like you're being judged. I just want to steer the best students toward the highest quality lessons I've been able to find in the area. This is the guy you want to take lessons with if you are seriously committed to music and are willing to work hard to get where you want to go.
Morgan Bound
...He gave me the confidence I needed to believe that I can play the guitar and to inspire me to continue learning.
I studied with David Joel for only a year. I had no prior musical training and the only instrument I had ever touched was the recorder. Needless to say, it was a rough beginning. However, David cared enough to challenge me. Instead of teaching me in the vague style of tab, he actually taught me how to read music and appreciate the theory behind it all. By the end of our lessons, I understood where the notes are, why they are there, and how they all relate to each other. I also learned how to change the strings of the guitar and began to tune by ear. My biggest problem was self-discipline in practicing, but David allowed me to move at my own pace while still giving a gentle and often needed push. Overall, he gave me the confidence I needed to believe that I can play the guitar and to inspire me to continue learning. All of this and he provided a fun, open atmosphere. Plus, he also does a mean caveman impression. I highly recommend him to anyone considering taking up the guitar and to anyone wanting to reach the next level in their playing!
Kristen Tkacz
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