Dave Isaacs is known in his adopted home of Nashville as the “Guitar Guru of Music Row” for his work coaching players, performing artists, and songwriters to be better musicians. Dave’s students include touring professionals, hit songwriters, and the next generation of Nashville’s rising stars.
Dave’s 2019 book The Perpetual Beginner is a look back at the formative musical experiences and lessons that shaped a life in music, and how these lessons can help anyone become a more skilled and confident player. Publishers’ Weekly called it “a delightful blend of memoir and music instruction”, and it’s an apt description of his workshops as well.
Founded on the conviction that music should be joyful and accessible to anyone, Dave’s teaching combines motivational philosophy, insightful perspective, and concrete, practical exercises and techniques. “My goal as a teacher is not to show you how to play guitar, but to show you another way to approach how you learn it”, he says.
The Perpetual Beginner workshops are built on the core philosophy expressed in the book: that we maintain our ability to learn through a combination of beginner’s openness and experienced, informed observation, and that anyone can learn to be more musical regardless of their natural gifts or degree of “talent”.
Download Dave’s speaking onesheet
Available workshop topics include:
- The Perpetual Beginner: the keys to lifelong learning
For any player that wants to learn to improve more effectively. Workshops can be targeted to specific audiences:
for the enthusiast
for the educator
for the music student - Performance workshop: commanding attention onstage
Audience: casual open mic’ers to aspiring professional performers and singer-songwriters. - Guitar for songwriters: approaching the guitar as a creative tool
Audience: performing and non-performing songwriters. - The Music In Your Head: how to communicate what you hear
Audience: songwriters with rudimentary or limited musical skills
About Dave Isaacs
Dave Isaacs has earned the title of “Guitar Guru” in his adopted hometown of Nashville through his work as a teacher, coach, and performing musician. His students are aspiring and professional songwriters and performers, including American Idol and Voice alums and full-time touring and recording artists. But Dave has also devoted his work over the past several years to the challenges facing the everyday music enthusiast as well as the serious student. His 2019 instructional memoir The Perpetual Beginner is a collection of stories and anecdotes detailing the formative lessons he learned as a young musician in 1980’s New York City. These lessons formed the core of his approach as a player and teacher, and offer a path to lifelong growth for any aspiring musician. >> Read Full Length Bio
Sample Teaching Videos
Setup Requirements
Facilities can range from intimate spaces to large lecture and performance halls. Sound reinforcement should be provided by the venue in larger spaces as needed. Audio playback and a video screen or whiteboard are extremely helpful. Straight-backed, armless chairs are best for playing guitar if attendees are playing as part of the event.
Promotional Requirements
We ask that organizations who agree to host a workshop will help promote the workshop as a value-added benefit to their community in the following ways, as applicable:
- Place promotional posters and flyers around venue 4-6 weeks in advance
- Promote the event in your email newsletter
- Post about the event on social media
- Create a Facebook event and invite your community members
- Announce the upcoming event at any in-person gatherings
Testimonials
“David, your talk at the Frank Brown International Songwriters Festival was informative and down-to-earth, and for a guitarist of your accomplished level, this is quite a feat. The songwriters in the room no doubt gathered tips and techniques they will be using for years. I know I did!”
– Debi Cochran, Global Songwriters Connection
(former National Workshops Director, Nashville Songwriters Association International/NSAI)
“Dave Isaacs was luminous in his guitar workshop at SWRFA this morning!”
– Mare Wakefield, singer-songwriter
“It was amazing to see and hear each participant instantly improve in response to Dave’s coaching and support.”
– Stephen Lawson, musician
Photos
The following promotional photos can be used to promote the workshops. Click the links below each photo to download the full image in web resolution (72 dpi) or print quality (300 dpi).
