Lesson Feesfrom $20.00 / 30 Minutes
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About
Hello! My name is Harrison Davis-Wang. I graduated summa cum laude from Princeton University with a B.A. in Music Composition (2018), and from Boston University with an M.A. in Music Theory (2022). I have over a decade of experience playing the guitar, with formal training in contemporary electric and classical guitar playing. I also have performance experience in a variety of contexts including playing live rock music, art music, and in a big band jazz ensemble.
As a tutor: I teach guitar, music theory, and composition. My lessons are individually tailored to help students to grow and thrive as curious, creative, and critical thinkers and equip them with the skills they need to succeed. I also like to prepare personalized materials like informational packets or files, exercises, and practice compositions to provide fun and interesting ways to access the concepts and techniques each student wishes to explore deeper.
I do offer a free 15–20 minute consultation for interested students, and allow cancellations up to 12 hours ahead of time. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions, concerns, or feedback!
When I teach, I try to cultivate a flexible style that places the emphasis on the student's passions and interests in order to maximize motivation (and reward). My first priority when designing a lesson plan is to identify what artists, styles, and genres each of my students wish to learn from. I then like to prepare custom-made materials aimed to help each student immerse themselves in their favorite music, and begin to build their desired sound.
Once my students and I agree on a preferred direction, my lessons will always begin by focusing on the development of proper technique. Being a guitar player is akin to being an athlete. Like the best athletes (and like any instrumentalists) the best guitarists perform with ease and efficiency. Developing a relaxed technique through attention to detail is crucial to avoiding injury and will help any student with their playing, irrespective of their style of interest.
In all of these points, I aim to emphasize collaboration. I firmly believe that there is no one "correct" way of playing the guitar. Everyone's body and mind is different, and this deeply affects the way each individual interacts with their instrument. As a teacher, my job is to listen to the needs of my student and help them find the unique way that works for them.
Princeton University A.B., graduated summa cum laude, major in music composition (2018)
--- studied composition & theory (contemporary, tonal, renaissance/baroque counterpoint with Dmitri Tymoczko, Juri Seo, Steven Mackey)
--- studied guitar (contemporary, jazz electric with Bruce Arnold; classical with Laura Oltman)
Boston University M.A. in Music Theory (2022)
--- studied advanced tonal analysis under thesis advisor Jason Yust
My lessons always start with stretching and warmup exercises focused on fundamental technique and form. Regardless of the style we wish to explore, I encourage my students to build their playing on a solid foundation that will enable them to make sustainable progress, and avoid potential injury.
The next stage of each lesson then moves on to exercises meant to practice the specific skills my students want to acquire. These may include practice playing pieces or songs, scale exercises over chord progressions, ear and theory training, improvisation practice and more. The specific content of each lesson will depend on 1) the level of the student's playing, and 2) the styles they wish to learn. As much as is possible, however, I strive to make the exercises we use to learn interactive, enjoyable, and engaging.
Towards the end of the lesson, we will usually slow down and attempt to apply what we learned in a more free-playing environment. We then close with a time for questions, and a discussion about our goals for subsequent lessons.
Because I design my learning materials myself, I have no recommended student texts. Bring yourself, your instrument, a healthy dose of curiosity, and I will provide the rest!