Beginner Guitar Lessons in Little Rock
Never played before? Good. Beginners have an advantage. You don't have any bad habits yet.
I teach complete beginners, adults and motivated teens 13 and up. Many of my adult students are in their 60s and 70s. It is not too late.
How it starts
Step 1. Book a free 15-minute phone call. Any time, day or night.
Step 2. We meet at the studio for a no-obligation, 30-minute free consultation. This is our chance to get to know each other, discuss your goals, maybe play a little, and plan how we can achieve your goals together.
Step 3. Your weekly lessons begin. Every lesson is private, one on one, 30 minutes, once a week. Lessons are billed monthly, and I go over the rate on the free 15-minute call.
Looking for people to play with? I connect my adult students with each other. Some I connected 10 years ago still get together once a month. Others have started their own bands.
What your first lessons feel like
You will not feel lost or overwhelmed.
- The guitar is in your hands in the first ten minutes.
- You learn the string names and your first chords.
- I show you where your thumb goes and where to press on the fret. Good habits from the first minute.
- We open Book 1 of Street Guitar, my own curriculum.
- You start learning simple tunes pretty much right out of the gate.
The first month, honestly
Your fingertips will be sore until calluses grow. It can feel like you're getting bulldozed. But you're building skills that will last a lifetime. It's really hard at the beginning, and it gets easier once you crack through that first part.
Your chord changes will be slow at first. I've got muscle memory and visualization tips that help with that.
How much practice? Adults can often get by on 2 to 4 days a week. The more you put in, the more you get out.
No reading music required
You do not need to read music. We use tab, short for tablature. Tab shows you where to play, but it leaves out a lot. It doesn't show which fingers go on the frets. It doesn't show which picking-hand fingers pluck the strings. It doesn't show whether to pick down or up. So I teach you those things along the way, through songs you like. That way, when you pick up any tab on your own, you'll know how to play it right.
If you want standard notation at any time, I can teach that too.
What guitar to bring
I teach electric, acoustic and classical guitar.
Don't have a guitar yet? You betcha I'll help. Tell me on the phone call, and I'll tell you where to go.
Already have one? Bring it to the consultation. I like to hear where you are.
I keep extra guitars at the studio for business clients who don't want to lug a guitar around all day. All you have to bring is your book.
Help between lessons
Got a question between lessons? Ask me. Text me, and I'll call you back Monday through Friday, mornings or evenings. I don't take calls or texts on weekends. That's family time. I don't know any other teacher who's that easy to reach.
Practice apps are there for students who want them, on your phone, tablet or computer. I'll also have you film short clips of me playing, to watch when you practice at home.
For parents of teens
I teach motivated teens 13 and up, one on one, the same way I teach adults. Teens practice about 30 minutes a day, hopefully more than the adults!
Who you'll learn from
I'm David Dunavant. I've taught guitar for 27 years, including guitar faculty jobs at four universities. Bachelor's in Music, UA Little Rock. Master of Music in Jazz Guitar, Bowling Green State University. 111 five-star Google reviews.
I don't just teach people to play guitar. I teach them how music works.
Where
Little Rock Music Academy
11220 North Rodney Parham Road
Little Rock, AR 72212
That's West Little Rock. Lessons are in person only.
Phone: (501) 291-1171
Book a free 15-minute phone call to set up your lessons with David. Any time, day or night.
