Dustin M
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles: Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Swing, Soul
Dustin M
Instruments: Guitar, Bass Guitar, Electric Guitar, Acoustic Guitar
Styles:
Jazz, Pop, Rock, Blues, Folk, Country, R&B, Funk, Swing, Soul
Where I Teach:
Ages Taught: 10-80
2008 – Graduated from Chattanooga Center for Creative Arts High School with a focus on classical guitar and minor in improvisational theater.
2014 – BASc Middle Tennessee State University, Recording Industry Management: Production and Technology; Minor: Journalism. Intermediate proficiency in musical theory and music notation. Advanced proficiency in guitar tablature.
2005 – 1st place winner of the Texas National Guitar Competition
2005-2010 – Opened for and shared the stage with the “Ambassador of Country Music,” Vince Gill
2007 – Opened for country artist T. Graham Brown
2010 – Voted Chattanooga’s Guitar Center “King of the Blues.” – Went on to represent Chattanooga in the district round of the competition in Nashville, Tn.
2010 – Wrote, recorded, and produced original acoustic CD, “No Stones Unturned”
2013 – Shared the stage with Ryan Broshear opening for the country music legend Merle Haggard
2016 - Opened for Restless Heart performing with Kadie Lynn.
I began playing guitar around 2001 at 11-years-old with guidance and mentorship from my father, Randy M., who has played music professionally for the past 40+ years. At the age of 14, I earned a long-standing permanent spot alongside my father’s many established bands throughout junior high and high school, while living in Texas and after moving to Tennessee. In college, I spent all of my free time immersed in various musical endeavors, whether I was honing my songwriting skills, working on mixing projects, doing session work for various bands around Middle Tennessee/Nashville, or actively performing live. I currently spend my free time recording at home and perfecting my technique and skillset both in songwriting and guitar in general.
For the past 15 years, starting in high school, I have taken on new students at all ages and skill levels. During that time, I have helped first-time guitarists jump start their journey into music, most of which went on to continue training at home or at music schools/organizations. I have also mentored advanced students who wanted to learn complex musical concepts to expand and diversify their musical trick bag. In college I spent most of my time with intermediate students. I specifically enjoy implementing creative musical concepts of guitar related to music theory alongside the associated scales, chords, and musical pieces to practice.
I have always customized my curriculum for my students. I have charts that I create, with sections for notes that sometimes get used during the lesson. I put these files together in a folder for the student to take home to practice with between lessons. Depending on the student's skill level, these may be basic chord charts, scales, or custom progressions that we go over in the lessons. I also take the time to record these progressions at my home studio as a reference for home practice. In the past I have held recitals if I had enough students and a space to hold the recital, but this is not always an option. I've always enjoyed this, as it can really help motivate a student throughout the stretch of lessons.
I commonly try to cater my teaching style to the type of student I'm working with. The student's age and skill level are the two most important factors that guide my approach. For those who are beginning lessons for the first time, I begin by covering the basic components of the guitar while emphasizing the importance of proper technique. I will then set short term goals to begin mentoring the student towards their long term goals. My intermediate or advanced students often request to learn how to play specific songs or advanced techniques and playing styles. For these lessons, I sometimes request advanced notice so I have the time to learn the piece they are requesting. After the student feels comfortable with the piece, I will either seek out and acquire a guitar backing track for the piece, or I will record a basic backing track in my home studio for them to use in the lesson and at home.
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