David S  
Instruments: Guitar, Saxophone, Flute, Clarinet, Bass Guitar, Accordion, Lap Steel Guitar, Banjo, Ukulele, Mandolin, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Latin, Latin Jazz, Swing, Bossa Nova

My teaching experience dates back to my college days, as I began teaching private lessons part time 40 years ago, and have been consistently teaching students in my home studio for the last 20 years. Encouraging regular practice on a consistent schedule is one of the key points I like to emphasize for younger students, as it tends to help the student progress and gain a passion for the instrument. I've also found that a combination of classical and modern music can go a long way in helping students enjoy their instrument and motivate them to practice and continue to learn. If a student isn't having fun in their lessons, then I'm not doing my job! My students are encouraged to work on composing their own original material, so they can feel good about their accomplishments and stay motivated to learn. I'm always looking to bring on new students of all ages!

For beginning students who are children, I typically start with Hal Leonard's Essential Elements. The first lesson i assess the student's ability - whether they can play, read music, and what kind of music they like. Once the student has progressed to have a grasp of the fundamentals, I will begin to introduce solo repertoire appropriate for their level. For adults, I try to find out what the student is interested in, and guide my instruction accordingly to keep the lessons engaging and fun, no matter their ability level.