David Diehl
Lesson Feesfrom $30.00 / 30 Minutes
Promotions Available
About
Based in Bellingham Washington, where he studies guitar at Western Washington University, David has over a decade of guitar experience to draw from. He has played in masterclasses for such esteemed guitarists as Scott Kritzer, Paul Grove, and the legendary Pepe Romero. He has competed in various classical music competitions in and around Washington. A native of Bellingham, David has explored its music scene widely; from his childhood in groups like the Bellingham Youth Jazz Band and the Jazz Center of Bellingham, to his current expertise with classical guitar and musical theatre. David has studied various styles such as Jazz, Bossa Nova, Classical, Folk, and Musical Theatre. He has also deeply studied music theory and ear training.
Lesson Rates are 30$/30min or 50$/60min. A free 15 minute consultation can also be arranged for potential students interested.
Openings for new students are from 8am-9pm Monday through Thursday PST (Pacific Standard Time). Openings for other times may be negotiated by request.
David is highly motivated to make every lesson both highly enjoyable and highly useful for each student. Always tailoring the lesson to individual student needs, David makes sure that students are both growing as musicians and deepening their love for music. Just like how the aural tradition of jazz and the academic tradition of classical have influenced his playing, David makes sure to involve students with both aural and visual learning in regards to their desired musical styles. Lessons typically involve some work on technique, repertoire, and theory. The lessons also make sure to center around whatever music the student is most excited about!
David puts in the work both in and outside of lessons, sending students notes and materials outside of class that might help them before the next lesson. Questions from students outside of class are always welcome, and he will respond to them as promptly as possible!
Though specializing in classical and jazz guitar, David also enjoys teaching beginning and intermediate players on all styles of acoustic guitar; folk, rock, bossa nova, and more.
I draw from various techniques and methods for my teaching, and adapt depending on the needs of the student. Below are a list of texts that I draw heavily from for their respective styles.
Classical:
Playing With Ease - David Leisner. This text is a second-to-none treatise on guitar technique from a scholar who has devoted his life to the subject.
Pumping Nylon - Scott Tennant. This work contains many great exercises for both left and right hands, and many insights on the mechanics of the different fingers.
Bossa Nova:
The Brazilian Guitar Book - Nelson Faria. This is a great text for learning the various styles of brazilian guitar playing. Its documentation of bossa nova idioms and characteristics are wonderful.
Jazz:
Harmonic Mechanisms for Guitar - George Van Eps. This book will last any guitarist a lifetime of study. It is a comprehensive tome of jazz harmony and its application on the guitar.
The Lydian Chromatic Concept - George Russell. An incredible work on conceptualizing jazz harmony outside of western classical theory. Recommended for advanced students.