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.

What is Street Guitar? Private Guitar Lessons in Little Rock Explained

David Dunavant

What is Street Guitar?

Street Guitar is my structured approach to private guitar lessons in Little Rock, Arkansas. It combines professional-level technique and applied music theory with the songs students actually listen to. The goal is simple: give you the mechanics of a collegiate-level musician without forcing you into a rigid classical or jazz repertoire. The instructor David Dunavant holds a Master of Music in Jazz and teaches private guitar lessons at Little Rock Music Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Street Guitar?
Street Guitar is a structured private guitar curriculum that combines professional-level technique and music theory with the songs students actually enjoy playing.
Is this program good for adult beginners?
Yes. In fact, 80% of my students are adults who want a logical, structured path without wasting time.
Do you teach classical or jazz?
Yes, I hold a Master of Music in Jazz, but Street Guitar applies those principles to modern rock, pop, and blues.
Where are lessons located?
Lessons are held at Little Rock Music Academy in Little Rock, Arkansas.

The Problem with Traditional Guitar Instruction

I developed this curriculum because it is exactly how I wish I had been taught. Like many of you in Central Arkansas, I started out learning from a kid down the street. I had no formal structure and missed the "why" behind the music. By the time I reached collegiate instruction, I realized my technique was so flawed that I spent three years relearning how to play the instrument from scratch. I do not want that for my students.

Most instructors fall into two traps. They either teach "recreational" lessons with no structure, leading to plateaus, or they force students into a rigid classical or jazz box. Street Guitar is the "Third Way." It provides the "armor" of a professional musician while keeping the soul of the music you love.

The Architecture of the Street Guitar Curriculum

My approach uses two comprehensive books that take a student from beginner to advanced over three to four years. However, the book is only half the story. The Street Guitar method is built on three pillars of musical development:

Technical Literacy and Ergonomics
Adult learners often struggle with physical tension. Street Guitar prioritizes correct mechanics from day one. We focus on economy of motion and fretboard logic that allows you to play for hours without fatigue. This is the "academic" side of the house, applied to the steel-string guitar rather than the nylon-string classical model.
The "20-Song" Graded System
The other half of my method is built entirely around you. I ask my students to provide twenty songs they love. I then take those songs and arrange them in a graded order of difficulty. This allows me to use the music you already enjoy to teach the high level techniques and theory you actually need. Whether you are an adult professional looking for a serious hobby or a teenager looking for a mentor in the craft, this method ensures you never waste time on music that does not move you.
Applied Music Theory
We do not learn theory for the sake of passing a test. In Street Guitar, theory is a tool for improvisation and songwriting. We take the Master of Music in Jazz principles—such as modal interchange, voice leading, and rhythmic syncopation—and apply them to rock, pop, and blues.

Why the 80/20 Split Works for You

My student roster is an 80/20 split: 80% are adults and 20% are teenagers. This balance is intentional.

For the Adult Professional:

Adults require a logical, structured path. You don't have time to "noodle" for six months. You need to know how a chord is built and why a scale works over a specific progression. Street Guitar respects your intellect and your time, providing a sophisticated framework that fits into a busy professional life.

For the Talented Teenager:

Teenagers are highly valuable commodities and performers in the Little Rock music scene. For the young player who wants to be a "pro," Street Guitar provides the competitive edge. It gives them the technical chops to outplay their peers while keeping them engaged with the music that defines their generation. We treat the guitar as a serious craft, not a passing phase.

Breaking the "Classical vs. Street" Barrier

Many people assume that to be a "serious" musician, you must study Bach or Coltrane. While I hold an M.M. in Jazz and value those styles deeply, the reality is that the mechanics of a Great Pop Song are just as complex as a Sonata when analyzed correctly.

Street Guitar unmasks the gatekept information of the conservatory. We look at the "CAGED" system, 3-note-per-string scales, and hybrid picking through the lens of the music that actually lives in our culture today. This holistic approach ensures you aren't just a "copycat" player who can only play what they see on a screen; you become a musician who understands the language of the fretboard.

Your Custom Path in Central Arkansas

If you are tired of feeling like you are stuck in a rut with your playing, it is time for a change. My studio at the Little Rock Music Academy is designed for those who want to be the best. I am the highest-rated private instructor in Central Arkansas because I refuse to settle for "good enough" technique.

We focus on music literacy and correct mechanics from day one. You get the benefit of my years as a college professor, but we apply that knowledge to the music that makes you want to pick up the guitar in the first place. It is a win-win situation: you practice more because you love the songs, and I ensure you are developing a superior technique that will last a lifetime.

Start Your Journey Today

Stop guessing and start growing. Whether you are picking up the guitar for the first time or you are a seasoned player looking to fill the gaps in your knowledge, the Street Guitar curriculum is your roadmap to mastery.

Contact me today to start your first book and begin the process of building your custom 20-song repertoire.

LEARN MORE 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

Newer Post >