Philadelphia Guitar Lessons
with
David Joel

Learn to Play the Music You Love from a World-Class College Trained Professional!

Gain True Musical Knowledge, Application
and Mastery!

Call David Today!

(215) 831-8640

David Joel’s Credentials

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Bachelor of Music Berklee College of Music
Master of Music New England Conservatory
Former Berklee College Faculty
Composer/Director, David Joel Quartet
30+ years teaching experience

…He gave me the confidence I needed to believe that I can play the guitar and to inspire me to continue learning.

I studied with David Joel for only a year. I had no prior musical training and the only instrument I had ever touched was the recorder. Needless to say, it was a rough beginning. However, David cared enough to challenge me. Instead of teaching me in the vague style of tab, he actually taught me how to read music and appreciate the theory behind it all. By the end of our lessons, I understood where the notes are, why they are there, and how they all relate to each other. I also learned how to change the strings of the guitar and began to tune by ear. My biggest problem was self-discipline in practicing, but David allowed me to move at my own pace while still giving a gentle and often needed push. Overall, he gave me the confidence I needed to believe that I can play the guitar and to inspire me to continue learning. All of this and he provided a fun, open atmosphere. Plus, he also does a mean caveman impression. I highly recommend him to anyone considering taking up the guitar and to anyone wanting to reach the next level in their playing!

Kristen Tkacz

This is the guy you want to take lessons with if you are seriously committed!

After weeks of shopping around the internet for a guitar teacher, I concluded that David was to be at the top of my short list. So I emailed him and received a call back the same day. Having taken lessons in my teenage years, I was glad to hear that he uses William Leavitt’s excellent method books, with which I had some previous experience, as a foundation to build on. David will take you in any direction you want to go, but he won’t compromise on the academic side of things. He is, first and foremost, a *music* teacher, rather than just a guitar instructor. If you just want somebody to show you a few Led Zeppelin riffs, there are probably easier and less expensive options out there for you. And while he is among the best teachers in the region (I’ve had a few), he is not a magician. YOU will have to do your part and practice if you want to improve. Music literacy is a top priority in David’s lesson plan, and you might not realize just how important it is until you suddenly realize that you’re able sight-read actual sheet music in real time while all of your buddies are still struggling in slow motion with tablature! Put another way, he teaches you how to teach yourself, which is what all good teachers do. Don’t let my review scare you into thinking that lessons with David are boring or tedious – quite the contrary! He’s one of the easiest guys to talk to and you’ll never feel like you’re being judged. I just want to steer the best students toward the highest quality lessons I’ve been able to find in the area. This is the guy you want to take lessons with if you are seriously committed to music and are willing to work hard to get where you want to go.

Morgan Bound

Very Best Choice

I came to study with David for two reasons. I wanted to become a better lead guitar player and I also wanted to learn how to read music. What I walked away with after studying with David for three years was much more than that. I became a much better overall musician and as a result, I developed a mastery of different pick-style and finger picking techniques I never imagined would be possible for me. When I started with David, he took the time to assess my ability and current musical level and quickly developed a comprehensive program that I still use to this day. I found David to have an excellent knowledge of music theory and to be an exceptional guitar player. Each week’s lesson was built up from the previous week’s lesson, and I knew he had a very specific agenda in mind. David was always exceptionally prepared. From a communication perspective, David is excellent and provides clear, descriptive summaries of his teaching examples. He is very approachable and a pleasure to work with. He is able to explain very complex musical theories to a broad audience which could range from a very technical student to someone just starting to play guitar for the first time. David’s passion, behavior and dedication to his students are at level to which all guitar instructors should aspire. It is so clear to me that I made the very best choice of guitar instructors possible.

George Lopez

You can get a Berklee quality education in Northeast Philly

I have been taking guitar lessons for 5 years; David has been my instructor for the last 2 years. David has the right amount of structure and flexibility in his lessons to keep a student moving forward yet allowing the student to control some of the direction. I am extremely happy with my progress to date and would recommend him to anyone that is serious about music/guitar. You can get a Berklee quality education in Northeast Philly; that is hard to beat.

Brian Skinner

Very Patient and Experienced

David Joel is a very patient and experienced teacher. I enjoyed my lessons with him and feel that I learned a lot from him. If you want to learn to play the guitar or improve your playing skills, he is the one to go to!

Breanne Olsen

I would not have traded my experience with him for anything.

“For seven years, I would look forward to every Tuesday night when I would have my bass guitar lesson with David. Over the years, I have come to know David very well and I have learned so much from him. Kind, patient, and supportive, David would always assert his unconditional encouragement as I would drill lines or pieces of music that I would be struggling with. David would accompany the music I was studying by playing other selections of music that related historically or theoretically to the piece I was working on. I have learned so much about music theory, music playing, and life during my time with David. With all of his music education and experience from playing around the world, it only makes sense that he could supply this additional support and knowledge. He is an excellent teacher, a brilliant musician, and an inspiring mentor. I would not have traded my experience with him for anything.”

Jon Aronchick

I grew as a person foremost and then became a musician

My name is Greg and David Joel is my friend. He was my guitar instructor for 3 years or so. I missed about 4 lessons and made up every one of them. Now, I am not a type A personality, but David offered to me a creative opportunity I could not pass up. Within that time I grew as a person foremost and then became a musician, a novice I was. A novice I would not stay. Between the Flats and Sharps, a language of responsibility and attention is developed when learning with David. You will never be confused or feel stupid, and he will always sound better than you. Because he is such a beautiful player, no matter how long you want to travel the road he will be your guide, true mastery. Thank you, friend. I am now writing lyrics, tunes, reading music, and above else enjoying music and life on a higher level.

Greg Pierman

Student Testimonials & Performances...

Philadelphia, PA Guitar Lessons | David Joel Guitar Studio

Study and learn methodically from a caring, college trained professional

Have fun learning and playing the songs you love

Learn to practice and play methodically

Lead, rhythm & solo guitar playing

Develop technical & improvisational skills

Composition & tune writing

Music theory & application

What are your musical goals?
Perhaps you've never played an instrument before and want to for fun. Maybe you've been playing guitar for years and have run into obstacles and barriers to understanding music theory which have prevented you from putting the pieces together and making the improvement which you have been desiring.
I help my students build and increase their musical skills by teaching them fundamentals which are necessary to excellent musicianship, both in understanding (theory) and in practical application (through paying an instrument).When these two areas are balanced and any misunderstandings are cleared up using a methodical approach, an individual learns to play well with good technique and confidence, thus achieving the goals of why he or she came for guitar lessons in the first place.

Philadelphia Guitar Lessons with David Joel