About Dave – Guitarist, Teacher, Online Mentor

I’ve been obsessed with guitar since the summer of 1980, when I got my first instrument — a baby blue 1966 Fender Mustang and a Univox tube amp. What started as casual lessons from my dad (a professional musician in the '60s) quickly grew into a lifelong passion.

Over the years, I’ve studied with incredible private instructors, drawn inspiration from guitar legends like Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, David Gilmour, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, and developed a deep love for almost every style of music — from rock, blues, and jazz to country, bluegrass, classical, and more.

In 1989, I enrolled at the Atlanta Institute of Music and graduated with honors the following year. My studies covered everything from music theory and harmony to sight reading, ear training, and improvisation. I had the privilege of studying under world-class players like Jimmy Herring, Robben Ford, Paul Gilbert, and Richie Kotzen.

Since then, I’ve taught thousands of guitar and bass lessons — both in person and online — to students of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels. Whether I was teaching through music stores, running my own guitar school, or giving lessons from home, one thing has remained constant: I love helping people improve as musicians.

In 2011, I launched CustomGuitarTabs.com, where I’ve created over 2,000 transcriptions for guitarists around the world. And in 2013, I began teaching 1-on-1 guitar lessons online. What started as a side offering quickly grew into a full schedule — and I was thrilled to see how effective online lessons could be for helping students progress from anywhere.

These days, I teach remote guitar lessons via Zoom and Google Meet, working with students across the U.S. and around the world. I still practice, write, transcribe, and listen to music every day, and I’m as obsessed as ever with becoming a better player — but far more importantly, I’m obsessed with helping you become a better player.