David Sm.

About Me

David is a successful singer/songwriter/guitarist out of Fairfax, VA. He has a bachelor's degree in Music with a concentration in composition from Salisbury University, where he also studied jazz and classical guitar. In the 22 years, he has been performing professionally, he has released 4 CDs and written over 200 original songs. He has opened for major national acts like Journey, Maroon 5, Toby Keith, My Chemical Romance, The Used, Thrice, Story of the Year, The Bouncing Souls, Eric Hutchinson, Virginia Coalition, and Graham Colton. In the process, he has performed at such notable venues as FedEx Field, Nationals Park, Jiffy Lube Live/Nissan Pavilion, the 9:30 Club, The Hamilton, and Rams Head Live. As a teacher, David has taught in numerous locations in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas for the last 25 years. His students generally range anywhere from 4-70+ years old and come from a wide range of backgrounds and levels of proficiency, from basic beginners to advanced. Some of his students have also gone on to pursue careers in music, others have just learned as a hobby, and some have been somewhere in between the two. All are welcome!

David Sm. has over 24 years of music experience in the Fairfax area.

David Sm. is proficient in and teaches Guitar Lessons, Bass Guitar Lessons, Song Writing Lessons .

Degree and Field of Study:

BA in Music (concentration in composition)December

Salisbury University

Award Name:

Music Department Award, 2004December

Salisbury University

Music Department Award, 2003December

Salisbury University

What to expect in my Bass Guitar Lessons

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced

• Teach students various styles of music such as: rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts.

What to expect in my Guitar Lessons

Beginner - Intermediate - Advanced

Formal Education:

BA in Music (concentration in composition) from Salisbury University, 2004

Private Education:

N.A.

Performing Experience:

In the 22 years, he has been performing professionally, he has released 4 CDs and written over 200 original songs. He has opened for major national acts like Journey, Maroon 5, Toby Keith, My Chemical Romance, The Used, Thrice, Story of the Year, The Bouncing Souls, Eric Hutchinson, Virginia Coalition, and Graham Colton. In the process, he has performed at such notable venues as FedEx Field, Nationals Park, Jiffy Lube Live/Nissan Pavilion, the 9:30 Club, The Hamilton, and Rams Head Live.

Experience Teaching:

Guitar instructor Aug 1999-Present Self-employed • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts. Guitar instructor Jan 2008-Oct 2017 Mike's Music, Ellicott City, MD • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts. Guitar instructor Oct 2007-Oct 2010 Woodbridge Music, Ellicott City, MD • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts. Guitar instructor Feb 2005-Sep 2007 Bill's Music House, Catonsville, MD • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts. Guitar instructor Jul 2004-Jan 2006 Victor Litz Music Center, Gaithersburg, MD • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts. Guitar instructor Aug 1999-Jun 2004 Salisbury Music and Instrument Repair, Salisbury, MD • Teach students various styles of music such as rock, jazz, classical, blues, folk, funk, country, hip-hop, rhythm & blues, and more. • Incorporate music theory lessons into the curriculum in tandem with technical and aural aspects of performance and comprehension. • Allow students to bring recordings of songs they want to learn to lessons, then transcribe and teach them to the students by ear. • Teach students to read off the respective staff (treble clef for guitar, bass clef for bass) for their instrument, as well as reading tablature and chord charts.

Guitar, Bass Guitar & More Lessons in Fairfax, VA

David Sm. is a highly experienced Guitar, Bass Guitar & More instructor based in Fairfax, VA, offering personalized lessons designed to meet the needs of students at every skill level. With extensive teaching experience, David Sm. has successfully guided students of all ages in developing strong musical foundations and advanced skills. David Sm. specializes in developing proper technique, improving musical understanding, and helping students progress through structured lesson plans.

What You'll Learn:

Fundamental to advanced Guitar, Bass Guitar & More techniques
Chord progressions, scales, and music theory
Song development and performance skills

If you're looking for high-quality Guitar, Bass Guitar & More lessons in Fairfax, David Sm. offers flexible scheduling options, including both in-person and online sessions.