SE25 Music Lessons

Below you’ll find copy of Google Reviews from students in Croydon & also teaching observations from Newham Council primary schools.

I would highly recommend David. He is very patient, knowledgeable and a great teacher for my son (year 4). He is enjoying David’s lessons and making progress. David takes the time to explain all the exercises and music theory in a fun way and my son can’t wait every week to join the new lesson and have new challenges. I work in music education [Trinity Laban] and can definitely recommend David’s method and skills. Giacomo Carabellese (2024).

David is an excellent teacher. I am really enjoying my guitar lessons. He is able to gauge the best approach that works and I am loving learning how to play. I’m currently learning Blackbird by the Beatles which gives me great pleasure and a real sense of achievement. Thanks David! Emma Blackman (2024).

Have learned more in 6 months with David than I had in the previous 10 years. All aspects covered, from technique to theory, and with great musical choices. Highly recommended! Philip Makatrewicz (2020).

David has been teaching my 11 yr old daughter for about 7 months and she has gone from never playing to now playing some very difficult pieces due to David’s excellent teaching. Since we have had Covid, David has adapted his lessons so now we have video calls, his teaching is as better than ever (we sometimes have to deal with some glitches with technology). David is a very patient person when dealing with my daughter and I can’t get over how well she can both read the music and play. I’m very glad we have him as a teacher. Jonathan Edwards-Green (2020).

As a retiree brand new to the guitar I needed a thoughtful, considerate and skilful teacher. David is an excellent teacher, not only is he patient, but he also offers alternative approaches when I find some pieces of music challenging. David plays the guitar beautifully and his demonstrations make me want to learn more and become a better guitar player. The lessons on Skype have been excellent, a good way of maintaining connection and increasing my limited repertoire. I am looking forward to returning to face-to-face tuition during which I can explore, in greater depth, how to tackle the more challenging aspects of guitar playing. David is 100% reliable, we have never missed a class. I am confident anyone will gain a great deal from David’s tuition and cannot recommend him highly enough. Sheila Turner (2020).

Book a trial lesson, you won’t regret it. David has been tutoring my 10 year old daughter for two years. She achieved a distinction in grade one, despite being worried about entering the exam in the first place and she is now happily applying to complete grade two. This has done wonders for her confidence and David has been extremely patient with her – trying different techniques if one approach doesn’t quite work out. Really love the balance between learning the essentials (reading music and set pieces) and frequent opportunities to work on different types of music to suit your taste. Very flexible teacher who will work at your pace and attentive to student during the lesson – highly recommended! Beverley Greenidge (2016).

David is a great guitar teacher who has revived my 14 year old son’s interest (he previously only had classical training) and has taught him useful skills such as reading tabs, playing chords, etc. My son is now able to use scores of his favourite music and experiment with new sounds and techniques. Not only is David an excellent educator, he also has a warm and friendly personality and very good taste (as a listener I too benefit from his input :-)). David’s home is pleasant and easy to access and he charges very reasonable fees. Dounia Bissar (2016).

I have been having lessons with David for just over a year, he has taught me many styles including Classical, folk and rock. He has a lot of experience that a student can draw from as well as a good method of teaching. From David’s teaching I am well on my way to be an accomplished musician. Scott Boyce (2016).

I’ve been having weekly lessons for 4 months with David and have covered a lot of ground. On both acoustic & electric guitar I’ve improved my sound, tidied up my technique and am now getting into improvisation. Having had a few guitar tutors before I feel David is the best guitar teacher I have come across and I feel I will become a better guitarist under his guidance. Kevin Pareja (2014).

Thought I would update my review from last year by saying that thanks to David I have now taken my grades 1 and 2 in classical guitar and received distinction and merit respectively. I am now about to take grade 3 in June. He also teaches my son who is 6. He was extremely reticent and apprehensive at the beginning but David got him to open up and he loves it now. I would recommend him if looking for a teacher for your child. Steph Barrow (2013).

My daughter is 16 and has been having lessons with David for two years. She has worked on a range of music including several Spanish pieces, folk by Nick Drake & John Martin and some Gerswin jazz standards. David was very helpful in supporting her GCSE music work particularly the composition element; she got a grade A. “David is incredibly supportive and knowledgable and I really enjoy learning such a wide range of music with him. As well as learning some great pieces, he has helped me to improve my technique and music theory. A brilliant teacher!” Rebecca DeQuinn (2013).

Newham Council ECAM teacher observation, Mr Moroney: Congratulations on teaching a very good lesson with four areas of the lesson classed as outstanding. You addressed the students in a good clear voice and they listened intently to your directions. It was good to see you introducing and explaining clearly the objectives of the lesson and the students producing clear articulated notes, played with a good posture. The students played the Folk Song with a clear sound and good intonation. Clear progress was made and they were actively engaged by your teaching style and approach. The lesson had a good pace and it was clear that all enjoyed the opportunities to play solo. The lesson finished punctually with homework written into the white books and stickers given out. Thank you and well done. (10/2014).

Newham Council ECAM teacher observation Ms King: This lesson was overall marked as good with a couple of outstanding qualities. Your students were engaged and remained focused throughout the lesson. The teaching area was somewhat hectic due to the coming and going of school teachers and I feel that it is important for me to commend you on your handling of this. You remained completely focused which clearly enabled your students to do so as well. The lesson was held at a good pace though with the students making the expected progress and showing a good level of understanding. Well done on a good informal observation. (10/2013).