David Joel Guitar Studio, Philadelphia PA

I studied with David Joel for five years and found him to be a dedicated music teacherand a wonderful person. I have been playing guitar for many years and studied with different people, however, When I met David I knew he was different from all of my previous instructors. I developed some bad habits over the years and David has transformed my style of playing. I now read music and play more effectively. I always looked forward to my lesson with him. David is an accomplished musician and teacher and also my friend.

Not just a great teacher of music, but also a great person and friend. I feel very lucky to be getting lessons from David.

Been going to David for over 5 years. You won't find a more talented or knowledgeable teacher. Rock, jazz, classical and everything in between.

David is fantastic! Not only is he a world-class musician, but David has an incredible talent for recognizing & guiding students to their full potential.

His attention to detail paired with his warm demeanor makes for an excellent learning experience. You will become a better player than you ever thought possible and have a great time along the way!

I studied with Dave for a little over 2 years. He is an excellent teacher who can meet you where you are at and achieve your goals. He has a highly specific method that I sense he created both from the years he spent at Berklee (both studying and teaching) as well as his own years of developing his teaching philosophy.

Dave will take you back to the beginning to fix bad habits that plague most guitar players who never learned properly. It might feel slow at first but the progress it is able to unlock is more than worth it. Whether you want theory, technique, or help with sight reading and ear training, or even music notation and composition, Dave can help. How much you put in is how much you get out, because Dave can always provide you with more and more materials.

An added fun bonus is you will be regaled with stories and anecdotes about the jazz world, which Dave has experienced more than his fair share of after a career of learning and gigging!

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 connecting me with an opportunity to play in a pit band for a community production of the musical Tommy, 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.

David introduced me to techniques and guitar books that I still use today as a professional musician/songwriter.

He has great experience and knows exactly what to do for individual students needs.

David Joel is an accomplished musician but also a music academic and teacher. If you’re interested in having a deep and meaningful understanding of the guitar as an instrument and music in general David will definitely get you there. I’ve relied on intuition and learning by ear for years and years and it’s only gotten me so far. The gaps in my musical and instrumental knowledge were immediately identified by David and suddenly site reading, theory and technique were part of my tool kit in understanding playing and enjoying my instrument more than ever!

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!

I was semi retired from playing guitar until I got an invite to play for my 22,000 member church. I needed to get the cobwebs off of my playing so I began searching for an instructor. I was fortunate to find Dave. He's giving me the techniques and theory I need to not only regain my prior playing ability but far exceed it. I recommend Dave to anyone who wants to take their playing to the next level.

I was semi retired from playing the guitar until I was invited to play for my 22,000 member church. I was told that they wanted me to audition first. I needed to get the cobwebs out of my playing. I was fortunate to find Dave. He's giving me the technique and theory I needed regain my past playing ability but exceed it. I recommend him to anyone who wants to get their playing to the next level.

David is a kind, gentle, person who shows a genuine interest in what your goals are as a player. As a teacher, he is quite detailed and methodical. He does not cut corners. He will work to make you a well rounded player & musician, and help you find weaknesses in your playing that you didn't know you had.

After having briefly studied the guitar as a teenager, 6 months of lessons at the back of a music store, with rudiments of solfège learned at school, I thought I was able to play. But I had never listened or taken quite the time to push myself for more than okay.
I had never had the discipline and proper guidance to learn music and the instrument. So after many years of noodling I decided that either I would stop playing or I would give myself a chance and improve.

That’s when I contacted David.

David was my professor for almost three years. The only reason I stopped my lessons is that I had to relocate. I would still be his student otherwise.

I remember our first lesson, the reintroduction to the instrument, notes, music. A part of me thought “I know that”. But I didn’t. I just kind of knew. So with David, we got back to the fundamentals of music (reading and theory) and of the instrument technique and specificities. You will read and play scales. And you’ll enjoy it. You’ll play music from the method book and play the tunes you like. The method book looks a bit daunting at first. It is the greatest tool and its transformative powers will grow on you.

David is passionate about music and about your learning, you’ll probably have to let him know sometimes that you got his points.
He is a professional, educated in the best music schools and willing to share is immense knowledge with you. Music is demanding and fun. So is David. When my frustrations arose he was always persistent and supportive, getting me to overcome my blockages, defusing my tension with humor and his kind perspective on life.
He is always available during the week for questions and he is an unlimited source of music and advice. David is genuinely interested in you, as a fellow human being.

Overall, I think that you’ll only learn as much as the mindful time you put into your practice. And to achieve your goals you need to aim high and keep at it steadily. David helps you do that. Through his knowledge, support, care, insights, encouragements as well as the discipline he gently requires.

I have definitely made significant improvements on all levels. Precision, touch, rhythmic accuracy, feel, improvisation, reading, self confidence. I can say I enjoy myself much more and feels I am a much better musician thanks to David.

Folks, if you are serious about your playing, David will get you where you want to be.

Have fun playing!

I my name is Rodney
The Lessons I had with David he was patience
And worked at your pace really help me with my timing and enhance my skills though his methodical teaching