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.

why i teach guitar tab and what i add that tab doesn't: making tab smarter and more complete

David Dunavant

TAB is not the problem. Incomplete instruction is.

Most guitarists out in the real world use TAB. It is everywhere: websites, YouTube videos, charts, and books. I use it too because it matches the environment students actually learn in. However, by itself, TAB is an incomplete map. While it tells you where to put your fingers, it fails to explain how to actually play the music with professional mechanics.

The Role of TAB in a Modern Curriculum

In my Street Guitar curriculum, I acknowledge that TAB is the primary language of popular music styles like rock, pop, and blues. For the 80% of my students who are adults, efficiency is key. TAB allows us to get into the music you love quickly. But the difference between a hobbyist and a collegiate-level player is what happens between those numbers on the page.

What TAB is Missing: The "Armor" of Technique

TAB is missing key info that is essential for long-term progress and hand health. This is where professional instruction at the Little Rock Music Academy becomes vital. Without these details, students often develop inefficient habits that lead to physical plateaus.

Left-Hand Fingerings: TAB rarely tells you which fingers to use. Making the wrong choice can make a simple chord transition impossible. I teach you the most ergonomic fingerings to ensure smooth playability.
Right-Hand Mechanics: Whether you are using a pick or playing fingerstyle, TAB is often silent on the "how." I teach you which fingers to pluck with and how to utilize economy picking to increase your speed and accuracy.
Muting and Articulation: Playing cleanly is the hallmark of a professional. TAB doesn't show you how to mute sympathetic string noise or how to apply the "soul" of a note through vibrato and sliding.

Critical Thinking: Reading Between the Lines

Over time, I teach you how to read between the lines and make smart decisions based on experience and technique. If you stick with lessons, you will learn to think critically about music, not just copy finger positions. This is a primary focus for my adult students who want to understand the "why" behind their favorite songs.

We look at the geography of the fretboard. Often, there are three or four different places to play the same melody. A standard TAB might give you the easiest version, but I will show you the version that sounds the best and prepares you for the next move.

Example: A TAB might show a C major chord in one position. I may show you two alternate fingerings and explain which one sets you up for the next progression.

This is the difference between "noodling" and true musicianship.

This philosophy is central to my Street Guitar curriculum.

STREET GUITAR

Standard Notation and Music Literacy

While we use TAB for its practical benefits in popular music, I also teach standard notation and reading music if you request it. My background includes a Master of Music in Jazz and formal training in classical guitar, where standard notation is the requirement.

Learning music literacy provides:

Rhythmic Precision: Standard notation is far superior for showing complex rhythms and syncopation.
Theoretical Understanding: It is easier to visualize intervals and chord construction on a musical staff.
Versatility: If you are a teenager looking to become a "valuable commodity" in the collegiate or professional world, being able to read music is a non-negotiable skill.

The Win-Win Approach to Learning

Whether we are using a simplified TAB for a rock anthem or a complex standard notation score for a jazz standard, the goal remains the same: superior technique.

You practice more because you can navigate the music quickly with TAB, but I ensure you are developing the professional mechanics that will last a lifetime.

This approach is especially effective for adult learners who value efficiency, structure, and long-term independence.

If you are tired of struggling with confusing YouTube tabs or feeling like your playing sounds "cluttered," it is time for a more professional approach. Let's make your TAB smarter.

FAQ About Guitar TAB

Is TAB bad for learning guitar?
No. TAB is efficient and practical. The problem is when it is taught without technique and music literacy.
Should adult beginners learn standard notation?
Not immediately. TAB helps adults start quickly. Literacy can be layered in strategically.
Can you become a professional using TAB?
Only if you also develop professional mechanics and critical thinking about the music.
Do you teach both TAB and reading music?
Yes. TAB for efficiency, notation for depth and long-term independence.