David is an amazing musician and gifted instructor. Online or in-person he is thoughtful, patient, and thorough.

I came to David about a year ago with what I imagine is a pretty familiar story: I taught myself when I was younger, but it didn't click, and now I want to learn for real. I wasn't expecting much, as I took my failure to learn previously as evidence I just wasn't very talented. Now, with a year of lessons and practice under my belt, I've made more progress than I thought possible. I never thought I could get good enough to solo, and now I can play and improvise solos pretty well in multiple keys. I can write chord progressions and songs, and my understanding and enjoyment of music in general has skyrocketed. In addition to teaching you songs, chords, and scales, David makes sure you understand the underlying music theory at the heart of music. This was the "aha!" moment for me, understanding that intervals between sounds are the basis for all music. Now when I sit down to play, I have a good understanding of where I want my chords/melodies/solos to go next, as opposed to banging out chords and hoping they sound cool. If you've been wondering if you have what it takes to play, go see David, he'll get you there. read more

Best teacher I've ever had! David is great at encouraging you and thinking of different ways to teach if you're struggling with anything. Remote learning had been wonderful as it allows for greater flexibility in my schedule. read more

I have studied with David for almost two years now. I started as someone who had taught himself guitar, with three years of irregular practice. I knew the basic chords, bit of finger-picking, strumming, a handful of half-learned songs. Basically my learning wasn't going anywhere and had hit a plateau. On the first class, David did an assessment of what I knew and said that we could soon have some fun. He asked me what I wanted to learn and like any young wide-eyed guitarist, I said "lead." And that's what we did. Now, I had seen the minor pentatonic many times and had tried to learn to improvise by just playing the scale up and down. It never helped. But David showed me a path on how to improvise. I learned to apply the basic improvisation concepts of slides, hammer-ons, pull-offs, bends and rakes. Soon enough I was trying to figure out licks and creating my own. Once I had enough of the minor pentatonic, I went on to learning some new songs. David has a huge song repository and will work with you on trying to learn a song of your choice. I also felt that if asked to pick, he would teach a song which was challenging enough. Such that you may not figure it out right away, but you would after a few days of practice. I had always played on acoustic. David help me learn the electric as well. He guided me through the various knobs on the amplifier. Teaching me about effects pedals, whammy bars and a whole lot more. David's teaching style is friendly and approachable. I found him flexible when it came to rescheduling classes. His studio on Westlake Ave is really nice. I have learned a lot from David and my guitar playing has improved quite a bit. I would highly recommend him. read more

I had been wanting to learn how to play the guitar for years and for my B-day my girlfriend bought me some lessons. She couldn't have picked a better place to buy the lessons from. David makes you feel comfortable and really understands the way that people learn and how to teach in the most effective way. The guitar is a tough instrument to learn and you want to learn from someone knowledgeable and patient and that's exactly what David is. Rock on! read more

I was looking for advanced guitar lessons and came across David Hillman purely by chance. I wanted to get a better grasp of theory and self study wasn't cutting it, mainly because I wasn't disciplined enough and figured paying someone to teach me would make me study harder. David's got amazing skill and patience. I would often go in early and listen to him teach students new to guitar and be amazed at how well he was able to get them to understand the concepts behind what they were trying to do. David certainly helped me out. A year later, I'm playing better than I had been before. I've got a much stronger grasp of music theory, it's helped me with my song writing and I'm happy with the direction I'm going. Do go to Hillman Guitar Instruction if you're looking to get better and learn quickly. Even the 30 minute classes are very helpful. You won't regret it. read more

We can't believe our good fortune in finding David; he's a top-notch teacher and musician. He teaches my 11 year old, and the progress he's made in just under a year is really unbelievable. David is patient, flexible and easy going, yet keeps my high energy kid focused and motivated. Can't imagine going to anyone else! read more

David is a wonderful instructor. I stopped taking lessons recently because of some changes in my life and cutting back on expenses, but I have thoroughly enjoyed the years I spent taking lessons with him and hope to do it again in the future. If you are thinking about taking guitar lessons, sign up with David. I have a huge notebook filled with songs from the past 3+ years I can play. David will meet you where you are and take you to where you want to go with your guitar playing. read more

Playing the guitar has been on my bucket list for a long time and I finally started taking lessons. I am so happy my first try was with David. I have been with David about a year and half, maybe more. David has so much knowledge and experience I get a really deep instruction from him, from chord formation and music theory and primarily practical practice learning my favorite songs. David is relaxed and kind and that goes along way too. read more

David Hillman is an amazing instructor. He is like Yoda! I've been working with David for a few years now and has helped me develop my guitar playing, music theory and overall understanding of music. I look forward to going to class each week and would recommend David for all skill levels looking to improve their playing! read more

I started knowing next to nothing and got to where I wanted to be in two years, playing, writing and recording. David is an excellent teacher, very patient and helpful. I looked forward to my classes and wished I could have spent even more time with him. Highly recommended! Thanks, David! read more

David is a gifted and patient instructor. I was looking for a jump-start towards learning to play guitar after years of false starts on my own and David was the perfect choice for me. It's rare for someone with his playing ability to also be able to impart knowledge to those with far less innate ability but David is able to relate to his students at their level (whatever it may be). David has a way of making his students understand that bad habits can be overcome over time and he has distilled his approach so that anyone he works with can improve. I'd recommend him for anyone looking to improve regardless of their skill level. read more

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I've been taking lessons from David for about 6 months, and I can actually play the darn instrument now. Amazing. David is a complete treasure - skillful and smart, but laid back and fun. He seems to know exactly how to much to push without ever having to ask. read more

I took a couple of lessons from David. I am a novice with the guitar and needed some help. He was beyond patient and helped me gather the basics I needed to begin my long lived desire to learn the guitar. I still have a long way to go, but I feel like he will help me get where I want to go. Thanks David:) read more

David is an exceptional musician and a great teacher. He tailors the lessons to fit your needs and works hard to find out what teaching methods works best you. read more

Dave Hillman is an extremely patient and mindful teacher which makes him perfect to teach children. Especially children like my son. My son has behavior and attention challenges that make focusing close to impossible. He has been learning to play guitar with Dave for nearly two years. In this time he has made amazing progress even though he refuses to practice. He can play several old rock songs from beginning to end. Dave has taught a difficult child a difficult task. Dave has given my son an outlet for frustration, a much needed coping skill, and hope for success in his future. We are very grateful. I'm looking forward to seeing my son play his guitar on a stage someday ( even just a high school talent show). Thank you, Dave. Highly recommend. read more

Dave is a great instructor and have been working with him for two years. He showed me a lot techniques and ideas that I wasn't getting from my previous attempts at learning the guitar. He is incredibly patient and knowledgable with providing a great place to learn. I'd definitely would recommend him to anybody wanting learn guitar. read more

My favorite night of the week is what I call "guitar night," and it is my favorite because David is the best teacher I've had in just about anything (sorry, erstwhile college professors). The guitar can be intimidating, especially if you've put it off until your 30s like this gal. David makes the whole thing cake. His space is gorgeous--I particularly enjoy the proximity to pricey yachts and the Lake Union views. I've taken lessons in music shop sweat boxes, caged like an animal in a windowless room under fluorescent bulbs. David, on the other hand, has created a space reminiscent of the Rolling Stones recording sessions in France for Exile on Main Street (only in Seattle on the Lake). I was playing a song by my second lesson. When I am occasionally downtrodden by what I feel like is the futility of a guitar in my grubby, fat hands, David, like a sensei, helps build me back up, developing my skill and pointing out what is, in fact, a burgeoning talent. It takes time. It takes practice. And I feel lucky to have chosen David as my instructor for his easy nature, graciousness, and what you can tell is a true love for the guitar that is infectious. Put it this way: I feel like there isn't anybody he can't teach. Even my significant other has remarked upon the tremendous progress I have made and the increasing confidence in my playing. It's a pleasure to be his student. I might even say an honor. read more

My 9 year old has been taking lessons from David for almost 2 years. He is patient, creative and a talented instructor. He is always encouraging and I am always impressed that he knows just the right new tip or trick to keep the learning exciting. We highly recommend him! read more

David is great. I started with him in November last year and have been seeing him weekly since. He's that perfect blend of very, very smart about guitar+music, but down to earth in his style and methodology. He's also a great guy and makes lessons fun. I discovered David from Yelp/Internet then found out that a close friend had learned guitar from him a couple of years ago. She raves about him. Bottom-line: if you're looking for quality guitar instruction from a genuine and very capable teacher you can't do better than David. read more

With only a rudimentary knowledge of music...just basically knowing what I like...and not much else, I walked into David's studio expecting I'd take a couple of lessons and scratch it off my bucket list. How wrong I was. David's practical, common sense approach to teaching music had me playing my first song after only one month. And then I was hooked!His laid back style sets you immediately at ease and reminds you that playing music, more than anything, is supposed to be fun. You will not find him waggling his finger at you for not practicing...I think kids especially will find that refreshing...I know my daughter did. But because he is so encouraging and enthusiastic with beginners, you will find yourself wanting to practice just so you can impress him and not suck at your next lesson! His practice routines are simple and straight-forward. With just 10-15 minutes a day and David guiding you along the way in your weekly lessons, you'll be playing Stairway To Heaven in no time. I think I was on to Blackbird after about 8 or 9 months...that was a big milestone for me...and I chalk that up to David's teaching, absolutely. He is game to teach pretty much any song in any genre you might be interested in, even if he's never played it before. He'll take the time to learn along with you, breaking the song down into easily digestible parts until you've mastered it. And he is equally adept at selecting songs based on your skill level and genre of interest...often suggesting songs you might not have initially considered. I have a number of songs in my repertoire that I never even knew I liked and now I play them all the time. He is also not shy about pushing you if he thinks you can handle tougher songs. And that's what all great teachers should do...inspire students to do their very best. Although David's modesty would prevent him from saying, he is an incredibly accomplished and talented musician in his own right...and is virtually a walking encyclopedia of music history and theory. I am certain you will enjoy learning and playing guitar with David. I know I did! read more