Sam is an excellent guitar teacher. He is extremely knowledgeable, talented, and fun! I have taken lessons with Sam on and off for the past four years. He has a lot of experience and is a great musician. He is also very organized. Whether you are working on songs or theory, he's either already got it all written up or will write it down for you on the spot on 3-hole-punch paper so you can build a guitar lesson binder. I know other teachers who don't give their students anything to take home, and this (I believe) is detrimental to the learning process. With Sam, you will never forget what you are working on, and he also encourages you to call him if you have any questions. He is very responsive via phone, email, or text. Sam is very methodical about how he proceeds with lessons, but always also gives you a choice as to what you'd like to work on depending on your mood that day. He can make a lesson light and fun, just jamming out some songs with you. He is also very intelligent and can delve into all the subtle nuances of guitar theory if you are interested. He has several songs in his repertoire, and will teach you any song you want to learn if you bring sheet music or even an iPod. He is patient and compassionate, and always answers questions thoroughly. He will go over the same thing with you as many times as it takes for you to get it, giving you honest feedback without making you feel bad if it takes a while for it to sink in. Sam has worked with people of all ages - I believe he has a four-year-old student and he teaches adults as well. He can get along with anyone: he loves people, and people love him! He teaches individuals as well as small groups. Sam is a joy to be around, and I think he relates exceptionally well to children due to his great sense of humor and fun, free spirit. He teaches out of his home, which is a very interesting experience in itself, housing a life-sized ceramic cow named Darla among other things. It is in a convenient location, easily accessible by public transportation and on-street parking (with Sam's visitor's pass). I give Sam the highest recommendation as a guitar teacher, whether you are a total novice or have been playing for years. You won't be disappointed. read more

I've been taking lessons with Sam since I started playing the guitar about 3 years ago, so he's my first & only experience with a guitar teacher. Sam has been teaching and performing for eons and it shows. I started in my 40's so I don't have a lot of time to hang around my bedroom with my guitar, blowing off homework. As you will probably note from other reviews, Sam is a really interesting guy - an hour lesson with him is a unique experience (a very fun one). What impresses me about his teaching style is that it's very focused on infusing theory with the rest of the usual lesson routine, in such a way that you very quickly begin to visualize how music is constructed - the ultimate goal being "informed" improvisation, of course. You don't just learn how to play the guitar - you learn how to appreciate how music is created and arranged. It changes the way you listen to the songs you took for granted. Where his lessons delve into more hardcore music theory he is really good at giving you a "real time" update into just how what he's talking about translates into music you might have heard and its implications in composition. You might spend a week or two working up a well known song, and then Sam will show you why a certain set of chords were chosen, what would happen if you changed this or that, and other ways of creating the same song to help the "flow". All this is not to say that Sam doesn't focus on the usual stylistic / technique issues that are so important (which he does) - just that he truly broadens the scope of your lessons to give you the complete package. Sam is also very sensitive to the need to not overdo any particular subject when teaching. He's good about sensing where your interests are and going there- I guess you could say he's not didactic or regimented about the process. He also teaches to a broad selection of students - little children - middle aged newbies like me - seasoned performers who are looking to add something to their playing - I seem to come across every type of student at the beginning / end of my lessons. I'd recommend him without hesitation- read more

I grew up fantasizing about being a great guitar player. I was that kid constantly playing air guitar anytime I heard music. It wasn't until a little over a year ago that I actually picked up the guitar and started using Youtube to teach myself different chords and easy songs. While Youtube is all well and good, after a while I knew what I really needed was a great teacher. This past January, I was given Sam's number by a classmate after inquiring about good guitar teachers in the Somerville/Cambridge area. Right off the bat Sam was approachable, warm, and communicative, and that was just over email. The first time I met him and took a lesson I had no idea what to expect, but what I got out of that first experience exceeded anything I could have hoped for. Sam is an immediately lovable and humorous character with a seemingly endless bank of knowledge about the guitar and music in general. I took piano lessons for 10 years growing up, but had a shaky grasp of music theory at best. Until I met Sam I never thought I would meet someone who would be able to make music theory make sense to me. Sam has the remarkable and incredibly unique ability to turn complicated guitar theory into simple digestible concepts that consistently cause lightbulbs of understanding to go off in my head. I have never met a better music teacher than Sam. He is endlessly patient with me and genuinely cares about my understanding. Above anything, Sam LOVES teaching. You can see it in his eyes. His whole mind and heart goes into what he does, and boy is he good at what he does. I highly recommend taking lessons with Sam! He adds so much joy, laughter, and knowledge to my life, and I cannot sing his praises enough. In terms of location, Sam lives on Broadway between Harvard and Central. From where I live in Somerville, I can easily get to his house in 30 minutes using the T, or in 20 minutes riding my bike. His teaching space is bright and colorful just like his personality, and is extremely conducive to learning. Darla is a delight, as you will see when you take your first lesson! read more

I found Sam through an ad he'd placed online. In a world of similar sounding and similar looking guitar lessons ads, Sam's stood out: enthusiasm! humor! links to his wacky posters! exclamation points! I came to Sam after being self-taught for a few months, but still very new to playing guitar. Sam is local to Cambridge - about halfway between Central Square and Harvard Square, walkable from either Red Line stop. Being self-taught to start, I wasn't sure what to expect of lessons. I was instantly put at ease when I saw Sam's teaching space: colorfully painted, barnyard-themed (parts of it, at least), equal parts shrine to guitar and a display of Sam's unique personal style. Did I mention Darla the Cow, Sam's six-foot fiberglass pet? Sam's teaching style is a mix of whimsy, technical mastery and artistry. One moment we could be talking about the mixolydian mode, the next moment talking about the proper way to hold your fingers on the fretboard when playing a certain scale, straight into which types chords sound the most "orcish." He is very easy-going, but don't be fooled - his 40+ years of playing guitar have made him a master. The man knows it all - how to hold it, how to play it, how to care for it, how to make them cry or sing. His love for the stuff is infectious, and makes it very easy to learn. The guy is a ton of fun, and obviously loves sharing the guitar with people. The lesson always flies by. What I get most out of my time with Sam is not necessarily the technical here's-how-you-do-this type stuff (though there is plenty of that), it's the conversations we'll have through the lesson. It's those off-the-cuff statements and observations that stick with you for a while afterwards - why a certain progression is interesting or unique, or how a certain song has no dead air in it, how a riff changes slightly throughout the song. Those things - clearly the results of a lifetime study of music - are the things I find myself coming back to the most, and are the types of things you can't learn elsewhere. Go see Sam! read more

I've been taking acoustic guitar lessons from Sam Davis for the past four years, and I can honestly say it's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. When I came in, I "knew" four open-position chords (but I couldn't tell you how to construct any other chords!) and could barely play "Smells Like Teen Spirit,". I definitely couldn't play barre chords without buzzing the strings, and my strumming was about as rhythmic and controlled as a white guy trying to dance. Now I can play and sing at the same time, I actually practice and I know James Taylor and can improvise blues and folk guitar. That's like waking up one day and knowing Kung Fu. TRUE STORY. Sam doesn't care how much you do or don't know, he always tailors lessons to you. Do you have problems hearing how the music should sound? He's on it. Can't figure out strumming rhythm? He's there playing it with you, always patient, never tiring of your constant and un-improving repetition of "Paint It Black." Are you scared of mistakes? He'll coach you through and build your confidence so that you begin to love messing up so that you learn new things. Do you feel like bringing your accordion to the lesson instead of a guitar? Right on, he'll help you figure out the chord relationships. Are you feeling sad today and can't bear to play arpeggios? He'll find a song to learn that gets you through the lesson AND improves your day. The posters don't lie, Sam Davis is a mystic musicality guru who inherently knows all the gaps in knowledge, bad habits and failure to practice that stand in the way of the guitar player you are today and the guitar player you want to be. Sam Davis is not a lesson manager. He's not a slave driver. He's one of the best people you can know, secretly masquerading as the best guitar teacher you'll ever have. You could be 8 or 80, a novice or a virtuoso. Sam Davis is appropriate for all ages. read more

Bankrupt of any measure of self respect, I offer this amateurish screed on a one Mister Samuel Davis - notorious Cambridgean miscreant and widely proclaimed High Priest of Guitarology (full disclosure: I faithfully serve at the pleasure of the maniacal Dr. Davis - a willing pawn in his diabolical, and all together quite sneaky really, mind control program.) Having been orphaned at birth and raised by the Ding Dong sect of Tibetan Monks I know a thing or two about slightly off kilter mystical beings and this One -Sammy Boy here - well, all I can say is - God help us all! He takes the cake! And, more to the point, DO NOT TAKE GUITAR LESSONS FROM THIS MAN - EVER!!!. There. You've been duly warned. For the risks are potentially - well - highly risky! Lest you want the higher dimensions of your musical mind twisted into the tonal equivalent of an Escher design - and actually love it! - DON'T DO IT!!! And do you really think you'll be the first to dodge the scourge of funny bone fractures that have savaged this Funny Funster's each and every new victim, er - I mean - ah -student? Do doubt it. And dear parents. Dear, dear parents - hear this - the Pied Piper ain't got nothing on this fabled Man-Child Savant. The universally accepted doctrine of child psychology has been turned on its pointy little head since Dr. Demento began plying his musical craft in service of both young and old. Well-adjusted children - perfectly mal-adjusted early adolescents even - delight in their time spent under the spell of the Dean of the Gonzo School of Mad Guitar Chops! INSANITY I SAY. IT MUST STOP!!! But alas. It won't. For resistance is futile. I know it. You will too - if you call and make an appointment. And trust me - you'll be incredibly glad you did! And that's why I recommended Sam keep advertising on Yelp. read more

I highly recommend Sam Davis, guitar/bass teacher. He is a incredibly qualified and personable teacher who conducts half-hour and hour lessons out of his tidy, colorful, and centrally located apartment in Cambridge and offers very flexible hours. I have been taking acoustic guitar lessons from Sam for almost ten years now, off and on. Sam is a very interesting and somewhat eccentric guy but unlike many people who fit that description, he is very organized, responsible and reliable. This ability to offer the best of both worlds really sums up why Sam is so special as a person and as a teacher. He is brilliant (he knows everything you may want to know about guitar and music), but is able to tailor this knowledge to each student's particular level of ability and interest. He is happy to go with the flow of where you want to take your learning or, if you need more guidance, can custom design a course of study for you. Either way, despite how structured or free form the lesson may be, you will leave with either a pre-printed sheet of music or one that Sam has instantly rendered and precisely annotated with all that you have just covered. This makes practice more productive, plus, after you have collected enough of these, you've got a great reference guide for future learning. I was an absolute beginner with no special technical or musical gift but I know that Sam also teaches professional musicians and all levels in between, young and old. No matter what age, level, style or background, if you are looking for a guitar teacher, do yourself a favor and get in touch with Sam. I have learned tons and have had a really good time doing it. read more

Generally speaking, I'm not one for teachers, but I quickly discovered that Sam is not your average guitar teacher (or player, for that matter). Not only is his knowledge of music extensive and seemingly endless, it is also without pretense--a rare virtue in the guitar world. However, what truly sets Sam apart from the scads of other teachers is his unique ability to convey complex information in a manner that is understandable to beginners, working professionals, and those of us stuck somewhere in between. He is especially gifted at transforming the theoretical into the practical: he actually shows you how to integrate and apply modes, scales (the triads within the scales...), chord structures, etc., to your own music, thus enabling you to become more creative. He is beyond patient, never, ever makes you feel stupid for asking questions, and is one of the funniest guys around, not to mention one of the smartest. Aside from all of that, Sam has been extremely flexible with scheduling and understanding that not everyone can afford to come every week. I usually go two or three times a month, budget permitting. He is easy to get a hold of, and always replies to texts/calls/emails quickly. I also love that he writes out all of the stuff you've gone over, so that you have material you can refer back to throughout the week, month, year, etc. You know the guy loves to teach when he tells you to call him if you find you don't understand something or have additional questions. And he means it, too. I have found Sam's knowledge to be invaluable, and his teaching style second to none. I cannot recommend him highly enough. read more

I've been a student of Sam's for a few years now and he's been such a personality since the day I met him. He lives on a hill on Broadway, equidistant from Harvard and Central Square. The first thing to say about Sam is that he knows his stuff. He may not consider himself to be a good guitarist, but he's just being humble. Also, he knows so much about music theory, so he's the perfect guy if you're into that sort of thing. When he writes his master book about the theory of music and everything, you can be proud to know you heard the wisdom firsthand from the guru himself. He knows a wide variety of songs and will totally roll with whatever works with you. He tailors his lessons to your personality and what makes you happy. Furthermore, he breaks up the monotony of lessons with very lighthearted jokes and will get into a discussion with you about whatever you want. He loves laughing and being just a highly personable guy. It's nearly impossible to hate him. Also, the dude's got mad connections, so he can get you in touch with people in a whole bunch of fields if you're into that sort of thing. He's such a quirky and crazy man that he'll change your life perspective very quickly. With an awesome cow in his quaint basement lair, you will feel like you are sitting down with a true god in his craft. But don't cross him, or you'll be subjected to the Torture Chamber. And the Torture Chamber is freaky. Take lessons with this man, and your life will be complete. The eternal path to supreme knowledge will open for you and you will experience an hour of nirvana every week. Thus, Sam Davis is the man. read more

I have been taking guitar lessons from Sam Davis for about 7 years. When I first entered his gauntlet of guitar greatness, I was immediately hooked by the wild and wackiness of his home. His great cow Darla greeted me with a wild display of lights and sounds. That was only in the foyer. I entered the lesson room to only be wowed by the stunning arrangement of guitars and basses that lined the wall. I sat down and I started learning. Sam has a very unique way of teaching. He applies a systematic approach to the guitar, so you are not only learning how to dabble and play songs, but you get an in depth understanding of the instrument. He also encourages an in depth understanding of music theory, which is a breeze to learn with Sam, even with the toughest concepts and principles. As the lessons passed, I started to realize how my perception of music was changing, I wasn't just hearing songs anymore, but I was hearing chords, key changes, and all of the other things that Sam had been telling me to listen for. Sam is very personable and a great friend as well as a teacher. He has taught me pretty much everything I know about the guitar and has made me a great musician overall. His pricing is fair judging how much you learn in the hour and how he has refined his craft to the fullest. Sam's house is located on Broadway st in Cambridge, which makes it an easy commute for anyone in the area. I would highly recommend Sam Davis's services to anyone wanting to learn how to play guitar or bass, whether a beginner, or expert, there is always more to learn when you study with Sam. read more

I CAN'T TAKE GUITAR LESSONS FROM ANYONE ELSE! I've known Sam for over 30 years. He was my jazz guitar teacher from my Northeastern (trying to be in the jazz band days), intermittently over the years and currently (via Skype). I've lived in different cities (currently Chicago where there is no shortage of guitar monsters) and have tried some other teachers. Sam set the bar for guitar teachers for me a long time ago. I can't even deal with another style of teacher. They don't get it! Sam does! Should be fun, right? Should be learning something valuable, right? You get that with Sam. He knows what you need to know and how to get you where want to be, guitar-wise, even if you don't. It's actually better to put it hands of "the self-anointed Master" and take the ride. You can trust him. It doesn't hurt too much. He IS truly an expert with regard to theory, styles, teaching, playing, fun, nachos, medical knowledge, psycho-analysis, legal consulting, photography, relationships, cows and decorating. Want to know what you did with your other Black sock? Ask Sam. Want to know how to paint a room? Ask Sam. Want to know what to get your Mother for Mother's Day? Ask Sam. Want to know how to break up with your girlfriend and get your copy of Full Moon Fever back, ask Sam. Sam is a once in a lifetime type of guitar teacher. I wouldn't pass that opportunity up. I've been playing (or trying to) for over 35 years. No matter where I live or what I'm doing musically I find myself returning to Sam. He's really the only teacher there is for me and probably for you too even if you don't know it yet! read more

Ive been playing guitar for about 5 years now. I started off my first 4 self teaching myself but i guess around my third year was really when i felt like i taught myself everything i could on my own and towards around the ending of my senior year of high school i was trying to get creative one day and thought maybe hey i could be so much better than i am right now. Shout out to my good friend and band mate Corey for recommending Sam to me. Ive known Coco for years and this guy can shred. To me he's like a guitar god. Or was, then I met Sam and that title was properly placed to him. I knew he took lessons since he was a kid and i figured i look into lessons as well and he gave me Sams info and I hit him up. Now almost a year of taking lessons with Sam, not only has my guitar playing improved but my knowledge of music theory and understanding the guitar itself has dramatically improved as well. He really takes the time to go through everything in his lesson plan to make sure you not only get how to play cool little riffs or songs on the guitar but so that you know what is going on between each note/tone you're playing while staying in the proper fingering position and as an aspiring musician this really helps a lot when applying all that knowledge into my own creative writing. Sam is a really unpredictable person and with a great sense of humor, you almost sometimes really hate him. Hahaha nothing but love for Sam and his Cow. Ps. Never forget the mode that starts on whatever scale degree Sam asks you about. If it happens tho, just know, Jimi Hendrix wouldn't approve. read more

I have been taking bass guitar lessons with Sam Davis for almost a year now. Having had some previous experience taking lessons, i really feel that in a short amount of time not only has my learning rate accelerated but my enthusiasm for playing has increased greatly. Shortly after starting lessons with Sam he connected me to other students, encouraging us to play together which of course was a big confidence boost. He regularly facilitates jam sessions which allows us to practically apply the theory and technique that he imparts during lessons. This class environment has demonstrated his skills in nurturing group collaboration which i think is essential in learning to play with others! He is always encouraging and is clearly attentive to different learning styles. I have on several occasions seen him perform professionally which further attests to his versatility and talent as a performer as well as teacher. I am a full-time dance teacher and continually draw inspiration from his creative and always professional approach to teaching. And of course, his sense of humour, charisma and kindness add to the overall lesson experience. I would happily recommend him and frequently do to anyone interested in taking lessons. read more

If you are looking to increase your understanding of the guitar and your ability to play, look no further than Sam's lessons. I started with Sam around 6 months ago; at that time, I was only sporadically playing the guitar and was not getting any better. I was connected with Sam through my university, and I haven't looked back since. Sam is incredibly gifted when it comes to playing the guitar, and he is able to use this gift to provide clear, fun and engaging lessons. I initially was worried that my lackluster guitar skills would cause Sam to grow impatient, but my fears were immediately silenced upon seeing Sam's willingness to show me the same riff many, many times in a row until I got it down. Sam's personality adds a unique and fun spin to the lessons, and the conversations you will have will cause you to appreciate him even more. Since starting with Sam, I have increased my understanding of the theory underlying guitar playing, and my general playing abilities have greatly improved. I still have a long way to go before I can consider myself fluent with the guitar, but I have no doubt that my continuing lessons with Sam will help propel me to new levels of guitar playing. read more

My first lesson with Sam was above a guitar store in a tiny room. I am 60 yr old female and although I knew the basics I had been on a guitar plateau intermittently for years playing in bursts and then becoming frustrated. Sam was the first teacher to really inspire me. We arranged another lesson at his house and told me he would see me next week and would love me to meet his cow. Well that perked my interest and indeed the next week I met his prized cow and all the trimmings. Three years later I am still coming to lessons and not only look forward to them but practice as much as I can and actually have developed an avid passion. Sam is a terrific teacher, patient, funny, and extremely flexible. He is good with all ages, kids to senior citizens like me. He is a highly talented musician who is able to convey technique with music theory in a unique, fun and very patient way. I would say that his true talent is that he loves people and loves what he does. His students are his family. He is on vacation now and I am missing my lesson this Friday. In the past I would have rejoiced however now I'm saying, "when are you coming back"? read more

I'm not who you think of when you picture a guitar student. I started taking lessons from Sam when I was 30, had never previously picked up a guitar, and had zero musical background whatsoever. I really wanted to learn and quickly realized that watching youtube videos wouldn't cut it. Sam turned out to be exactly the quirky, funny and supremely talented teacher that I needed. He makes playing guitar an attainable and enjoyable goal for beginners like myself, and at the same time I hear advanced players before and after our sessions that are working through much more complex songs. He seamlessly shifts between ability levels, and has a level of patience that I honestly don't understand. I have learned a ton in the last year of lessons, and have gone from hardly being able to play a chord to having a binder full of songs that I can play. I can't speak for the advanced players out there (although the other commenters seem to have that covered), but for beginner and intermediate players I would HIGHLY recommend Sam Davis. Plus you get to hang out with his life size motorized cow... So that's something. read more

I am a rank beginner not just in guitar, but in all things musical. I have also taken up guitar in middle age, with little time to practice (we both are full time academics in Biological research and have a five year old at home). Almost without fail, I find I am on my way to my weekly lesson without having practiced and running late, wondering what is the point? And then a miracle occurs. The lesson is NOT the guilt-festooned disaster I have been anticipating - somehow, Sam extracts amidst the initial small talk and fooling around a bona fide musical idea or question that has been tickling the back of my brain but I lack the musical wit to express, and we are off, and I learn something incredibly interesting and, importantly, am actually attempting to play, with enthusiasm no less. I have fun. I feel like a true student of music. The hour passes too quickly. With all his years of teaching experience, I doubt there is a type of student that Sam has not seen. Sam's ability to transform ten-thumbed idiots like myself into enthusiastic students surely constitutes some sort of deep musico-alchemical magic. read more

I have been taking lessons with Sam for almost 12 years now and have had nothing but an incredible experience. I started when i was 8 and as a kid, i had pretty bad learning disabilities that made it difficult for teachers to teach me but Sam kept trying and finding new ways to get me to learn and can even make the learning fun. He's been an excellent teacher since then, teaching me anything from songs im having trouble playing, to new and intersting playing techniques, and even music theory. He has a way of seeing music (quite liliterally) that makes it easy for people to understand when it comes to the more complicated things. Hes very good at writing the lessons out in a ways that are very easy to understand and uses unique homemade tools to help you truly visualize whats going on in the actual music he's teaching. So from personal experience from being a very very beginner to a more advanced player and everything in between, its clear Sam has be able to adapt to any skill level and any age. Sam is a great teacher and learning with him is a truly unique experience you wont find with any other teacher. read more

I've been taking guitar lessons with Sam for over a year now and I can honestly say it's still my favorite hour of every week. I came into my first lesson as a true beginner with no music or guitar experience (including education about music theory) so Sam has definitely had his work cut out for him with me. Sam is great because no matter what mood you're in (or how prepared/unprepared you are for the lesson), he will work with you and be on your team. I'm always amazed by Sam's patience. For example, I will ask him a question about something that I should definitely know -- something he has taught me in multiple lessons -- and he won't get mad or annoyed when I can't remember the answer. Instead, he'll calmly help me see that I already know the answer ... I just have to think about it in a different way. Our lessons are always fun and I often leave with my cheeks hurting from laughing too much. Sam has been playing and teaching guitar for most of his life and he really knows his stuff. I highly recommend Sam Davis for anyone looking to take guitar lessons in the Cambridge, MA area. read more