Do you offer lessons for complete beginners?

Absolutely. In fact, beginners have an advantage because they don't have any bad habits yet.

Do you teach adult students?

That's actually my specialty. I work primarily with adult learners, including many in their 60s and 70s. As far as I know, I'm the only guitar teacher in Arkansas who's studied how playing guitar improves cognitive function — which is especially valuable for my older clients.

What styles of music do you teach?

All styles. I grew up playing rock, metal, blues, country, fingerstyle, steel string guitar, singer-songwriter, etc. I also have two degrees in jazz guitar and formal training in classical. I teach everything from heavy metal to acoustic fingerstyle.

What types of instruments do you teach?

I teach all types of guitar — electric, acoustic, classical, and more. I also teach bass guitar, ukulele, banjo, mandolin, tenor guitar, dobro, and improvisation on any instrument.

Do I need to know how to read music?

Absolutely not. I've created my own curriculum based on how guitarists actually learn — primarily through tablature. But I can teach standard notation or any format you're most comfortable with.

Do you offer in-person or online lessons?

I only offer in-person lessons. Each lesson is 30 minutes long. Advanced students may be eligible for hour-long sessions, but that's something we'll discuss case by case.

What makes your teaching different from other instructors?

I've been doing this for 28 years. I wrote my own curriculum, called Street Guitar, and I'm the only teacher in Arkansas who's taught guitar at the university level and now teaches to the public full-time.

What's your background as a teacher?

I started teaching when I was 19 at Atomic Guitars in Little Rock, then at Saied Music in North Little Rock. I spent 19 years teaching guitar at four universities, was Creative Director at Little Rock Jams for 13 years, and I've been running my own lesson business for the last six years.

What is Guitar Wars and how does it relate to your teaching?

Guitar Wars is Arkansas' only and premier amateur guitar competition. I founded it as a nonprofit to give away guitars and lessons to underprivileged teens. I don't do traditional recitals, but Guitar Wars offers students a more exciting and rewarding way to perform — especially for those who want that outlet.

What kind of commitment do you expect from students?

I meet adult students where they are. I understand busy schedules and never pressure anyone beyond their limits. Teenagers are expected to practice about 30 minutes a day. Adults can often get by on three to four days a week — but like anything, the more you put in, the more you'll get out.

Beyond the Chord Diagrams: Why Structure Matters for Adult Guitar Learners

David Dunavant

Purpose of Structure

For most adults picking up the guitar, the initial barrier is not a lack of desire or access to material. We live in an era where millions of free video tutorials are available at the click of a button. The real obstacle is the absence of a cohesive, progressive framework. Without clear structural boundaries, hobbyists frequently find themselves trapped in a repetitive loop of learning isolated fragments of songs without ever truly understanding how the instrument works.

As the highest-rated private guitar instructor in Central Arkansas, my focus has always been on creating an optimized path for adult and teenage learners who want real, tangible skill without wading through dry academic jargon. This philosophy is the foundation of my proprietary system, the Street Guitar curriculum.

STREET GUITAR

Bridging the Gap Between Hobby and Mastery

The Street Guitar method was built explicitly to solve the common frustrations experienced by adult learners. Standard music pedagogy often forces beginners into rigid classical or jazz frameworks that fail to align with their actual musical goals. Conversely, standard internet tutorials skip the structural fundamentals entirely, leading to sloppy habits and mechanical plateaus.

Street Guitar takes a different approach. It introduces academic-level technique, clear fretboard geometry, and practical music theory, but applies them entirely to popular styles of music. Whether your goal is to master classic rock riffs, command acoustic blues patterns, or understand modern pop progressions, the focus remains on practical, performance-driven capability.

The Importance of a Personalized Framework

Adult learners balance professional responsibilities, families, and busy schedules. Time spent practicing must be efficient and targeted. In my studio located at the Little Rock Music Academy on Rodney Parham Road, every single lesson is built around the individual student's baseline capabilities and long-term musical aspirations.

Structure does not mean rigid conformity. It means knowing exactly what to practice next to achieve a breakthrough. By combining a systematic method with customized song integration, students build a reliable, lifetime foundation on the instrument while playing the music they actually love.

Take the Next Step in Your Musical Journey

If you are ready to move past superficial internet tutorials and experience a structured, professional approach tailored specifically for adults and motivated teenagers, your development begins with a clear evaluation. We offer a direct, no-obligation 30-minute consultation and free initial lesson at our studio to outline your personalized development plan.

To schedule your initial consultation, contact our studio directly at (501) 291-1171 or visit our primary booking portal at guitarlessonswithdavid.com.

CALL NOW

Guitar Lessons with David Dunavant

Little Rock Music Academy

11220 North Rodney Parham Road

Little Rock, AR 72212

Phone: +1-501-291-1171

Highest-Rated Private Instructor in Central Arkansas.

< Older Post