After weeks of shopping around the internet for a guitar teacher, I concluded that David was to be at the top of my short list. So I emailed him and received a call back the same day. Having taken lessons in my teenage years, I was glad to hear that he uses William Leavitt's excellent method books, with which I had some previous experience, as a foundation to build on. David will take you in any direction you want to go, but he won't compromise on the academic side of things. He is, first and foremost, a *music* teacher, rather than just a guitar instructor. If you just want somebody to show you a few Led Zeppelin riffs, there are probably easier and less expensive options out there for you. And while he is among the best teachers in the region (I've had a few), he is not a magician. YOU will have to do your part and practice if you want to improve. Music literacy is a top priority in David's lesson plan, and you might not realize just how important it is until you suddenly realize that you're able sight-read actual sheet music in real time while all of your buddies are still struggling in slow motion with tablature! Put another way, he teaches you how to teach yourself, which is what all good teachers do. Don't let my review scare you into thinking that lessons with David are boring or tedious - quite the contrary! He's one of the easiest guys to talk to and you'll never feel like you're being judged. I just want to steer the best students toward the highest quality lessons I've been able to find in the area. This is the guy you want to take lessons with if you are seriously committed to music and are willing to work hard to get where you want to go. read more

My name is Ken Kramer and I have been playing guitar for 43 years since the age of 12. I took lessons for about 2 years at the very beginning. I never learned how to read music in the traditional sense, just tab. I have played in classic rock bands over the years. Several years ago I reached a point in my playing that I felt I could not get any better and was playing the same music, leads over and over again. I was convinced that all I could learn was what I could hear or was shown by other musicians. I knew I developed bad technique habits over the years as well. I wanted to get better and began looking for an instructor on-line and found David Joel. A brief review of David's web-site indicated he was well-versed in all styles on electric, acoustic and classical guitars. The backbone of David's approach is based on Berklee's Modern Method for Guitar series by William Leavitt. It requires the guitarist to read and play music...something I never did and as it turns out contributed to my "illiteracy" or lack of language or "data" as David refers to music. In the 2 1/2 years that I studied with David he completely changed my technique, increased my potential to play a variety of styles and improvise and helped me to achieve many of my goals as a player. He is amazingly encouraging and very real when it comes to students of all ages. I currently enjoy playing in a number of classic rock bands and praise band at church. Thanks David! read more

David Joel is the guitar teacher that you have been looking for! Musical experience, wisdom, and expertise are just a few of the things you should expect when you start lessons here. My experience with other guitar teachers was always that they were more interested in making rocking guitarists who could play some nice licks but never really knew why what they were playing sounded good or how it fit into the larger musical spectrum. David will not only make you improve as a guitarist, but he will help you see the bigger picture, making sure you have a solid foundation of musical knowledge and expertise before learning more advanced techniques and theory. The result is a guitarist who can play those amazing licks and riffs incredibly proficiently, but also understands why what they are playing sounds great! It truly is the best way to learn to play, and guitarists from beginners to experts can learn a lot from David's teachings. read more

David Joel has helped me immensely improve in my ability to play the guitar. Before starting lessons with him I had over 6 years experience playing the guitar, including 2 years of beginner lessons. During that time I relied heavily on guitar tabs and what I could find on the internet. I came to David with decent technique but something was definitely lacking in my playing. David helped me figure out what I was missing and helped me get to a level of playing I never thought I could reach. It wasn't easy as he had me going back to the basics. I learned how to read sheet music, how to keep a better tempo, and the music theory behind it all. It has been about 2 years now with David and I am continually learning and improving. Overall my experience with David has been thoroughly enjoyable and I would recommend his services to anyone, whether they are new to the guitar or have been playing for years. read more

I played the guitar in college many years ago. But I got to a certain level and just couldn't go any further. So for over 20 years I hardly ever picked it up. I really wanted a teacher who could help me understand guitar fundamentals - not just chords - and someone who could encourage me gently to do it right! David was just perfect for me! His own professional training at the prestigious Berklee School and New England Conservatory, and his eclectic personal interests in music made him a great teacher for me. He had me on the right track in no time. And his flexibility made it easy to schedule around my busy professional life. David is the best, and I highly recommend him to anyone who is serious about the guitar, whether beginner or seasoned professional. read more

David Joel expanded my musical horizons, helped me improve my playing, and increased my love for the guitar. He is really dedicated to his craft and to his students. After studying with him for a while and him pushing me to play music with others, he connected me with an opportunity to play in a pit band for a community production of the musical Tommy. He was so dedicated that he helped me learn one of the solos by writing out a note by note transcription by ear. I learned so much technique and theory from him, not to mention so many great songs -- his interest in jazz and rock is infectious. I am lucky to have found him and can't recommend him highly enough looking to take their skills to the next level. read more

I have been taking guitar lessons from David Joel for about a year and a half. I started taking lessons at 64yrs.old because I always wanted to play guitar. When I was researching teachers, I was looking for certain qualities in a teacher and when I saw David Joel's background which includes a Master's Degree in Music, a former faculty member at Berklee College and his playing background I decided to give him a try. David is very methodical teacher and as a beginner he teaches you the proper way to play guitar as well as reading music, practice techniques and addresses individual goals of each student. I would highly recommend David as he is in my opinion the top teacher in the area. Charlie L. read more

It has been an absolute privilege to learn under the guidance and tutelage of David Joel. During the time I've spent with him, I learned a great deal about guitar musicianship and application. His love for the guitar, his passion for teaching and helping others, and his expertise and professionalism were all ingredients that made the learning experience invaluable -- I strongly feel he was 'called' to do this work. Not having much experience before seeking David Joel, he has taught me a lot about the craft and has been instrumental in laying the foundation for my guitar-playing. Without reservation, I highly recommend David Joel for guitar studies -- from novice players to the more advanced. read more

I studied with David a few years ago and became a much better player because of it. David goes beyond teaching you things to play, but rather understanding why all the pieces fit. David is an expert on theory, but he also relates to any player at any level and makes the experience of learning fun while also challenging you to better yourself. Taking lessons with David was one of the best things I have done, and you will not regret working with him. I still use his lessons today as I play the guitar. Simply put, if you want to be the best guitarist you can be, David has the tools to help you achieve your goal. it's just up to you now to begin your lesson! read more

David is a thorough teacher who instructs with patience, insight, humor, and plenty of examples pulled from his extensive experience as a professional musician, composer, arranger, and band leader. He will give you the tools you need to read music, refine your technique, and develop your musicality, and he will help you expand your listening library, too. Most importantly, David will work with you to help you learn the things you want to learn, whether they're specific songs or techniques. Whether you're a beginner who's looking for a strong foundation or an advanced player looking to expand your abilities, David can help you. read more

I was new to guitar and had very little musical experience before practicing with David, but working with David quickly turned into one of the highlights of my week. He was patient and exacting, supportive and motivating. His teaching style helped me grasp the basics of reading as well as playing music. From him I've "learned how to fish" and I'm grateful for our time together. I would still be his student but for the fact that I am moving out of the east coast. If you are in the market for a great guitar teacher, look no further; you've found one! read more

If you want to learn to play guitar with good technique and understand how to read music, look no further. I've been taking lesson with David for 9 months and wish I'd found him sooner. I had taken lessons with other instructors, and none come close to his teaching ability. He individualizes the lesson to match his student's interests and abilities, and checks in frequently to make sure the lessons are going well for me. He pays attention to detail, and has helped me correct my technique. Lessons are fun-David has a good sense of humor! read more

I hadn't played guitar for several years before being invited to audition to play for the band at my church. When i discovered and started studying with Dave he worked on improving my technical skills and my theoretical knowledge. I'm now on my way to playing with the confidence, accuracy and velocity that I've long admired in other professional players. read more

I worked with David for over a year when I first started playing guitar. David is very passionate and knowledgeable about the material. His approach to teaching helped me develop a strong foundation and skills needed to continuously improve. I'd recommend him for anyone whether just starting or experienced and wanting to improve their skills. read more

I had the pleasure of learning from David over the past couple of years. He is truly a tactician in his trade. Where as some instructors will simply teach guitar, David teaches music. I not only learned more about how to play guitar, but also the relationships between notes, keys, how to read music and the appropriate path to achieve my goals read more

Phenomenal teacher. I had years of study and schooling before joining David as a student and I think we made more progress in two years than I had made in the decade prior. Lessons were fun and David really cared that I was getting the most value out of my time and money. I cant recommend David highly enough. read more