After many requests, I’m excited to be accepting a limited number of guitar students again!

 

Who is this Dave Blair guitar teacher guy?

 

Hi fellow guitar lover!  Well, I have been playing guitar professionally and teaching for over 25 years.  I've performed about 100 professional gigs a year for the last 20 years.  I’ve been lucky enough to have the privilege of being mentored by and performed with some truly talented and inspiring musicians over the years and am excited at the prospect of passing on all that I have learned to others who share the same love of music. 

 

So you want to be a better player...

 

Whatever your goals are, just having a fun hobby, jamming with buddys, writing tunes, or gigging professionally I am excited by the opportunity to help you grow and achieve those goals.  With proper direction, if you have the passion for it and are willing to put the focus and time in, there is nothing stopping you from getting there.

 

What genres do you teach?

 

I mainly focus on genres such as Rock, Blues, Funk, Metal, R&B, Folk & Country.  

 

Do I need to learn boring theory?

 

Like any good teacher, I teach music “Theory”, along with ear training, picking and fingerstyle technique, groove and timing, songwriting, etc. but I’d like to point out that what many people call boring “Theory” is not really about memorizing scales and chords.  That is a simply means to an end.  Music is a language.  Once you know some of the key building blocks, understanding and conversing in the same language as your favorite artists becomes second nature after a while.  It is more about hearing a favorite song, understanding why it sounds the way it does and being able to speak that same language.  It is a more and more liberating experience the more you develop these skills.  Being able to hear a song once and understand what’s going on, play it back and improvise over it almost feels like a superpower, a lot of fun.  That's not boring at all!  Lol. 

 

What else can you help me with?

 

In addition to guitar I can also integrate instruction in other related areas such as songwriting, singing while playing, recording and mixing, booking gigs, your gear, performing live , band rehearsals, etc.  Pretty much anything that you might need to know when it comes to performing music in the real world.

 

 

How do I know who the right teacher is for me?

 

My recommendation for anyone looking for the right teacher is to call several, talk to them about your goals, musical interests, etc. and see if you even click with that person and their style.  Take a couple of trial lessons from different teachers.  Many give discounts for trial lessons, including me.  If a certain teacher inspires you, helps you progress then of course you’ll want to keep going.  Not all teachers are created equal or necessarily the right fit.  I’ve had many teachers but only a couple were true mentors that made me the player I am today.  If I could be that for you I would be honored for the opportunity.

 

So why can't I just take lessons on Youtube?

 

Actually, I love YouTube lessons.  It's a great resource to compliment any lesson program.  But YouTube can't give you feedback on what you are doing right or wrong.  YouTube can't track your progress and adjust your plan based on your strengths weaknesses and interests.  YouTube can't have a real world conversation about your musical goals, frustrations, and respond with suggestions and back and forth discussions on how to work through them and keep you motivated and focused.  I've learned a lot from many sources but a couple of mentors were integral to making me the player I am today.  Even Michael Jordan needed a coach and Mike Tyson needed a trainer.  If you are serious about making the most out of your playing then a real live human mentor that has been there and can work through the challenges with you is the way to go.

 

How do I get started on my guitar journey?

 

Just shoot me an email and we can setup a time to chat.  Chatting about guitar is always fun and I'm happy to answer any questions.  If you feel it's for you, then we can setup a trial lesson and have some fun learning guitar then take it from there, no pressure. : )

 

Rates:

  • $40 / 30 min
  • Mention this page and get first lesson 25% OFF!

Location:

  • Lessons are held in my home studio in Jersey City Heights
  • Lessons through Skype are also available
  • Schedule permitting, I can sometimes accommodate lessons at your home at a charge of an additional $40 per lesson if within 25 min travel time