Learn the Music That Made You Want to Play.

Guitar is personal. Some students want to strum songs around a campfire. Others want to play in a band, write their own music, master lead guitar or study classical repertoire.

DAMPA teachers build lessons around each student's interests while developing the technique, rhythm, theory, ear training and musicianship that help them keep progressing.

Build the Skills Behind the Songs.

Learning your favorite music is only part of the process. DAMPA guitar students develop the skills that make it easier to learn more music independently.

Technique
Picking, fretting, articulation, coordination and control.

Rhythm
Timing, groove, strumming patterns and playing with other musicians.

Theory
Chords, scales, progressions and understanding how songs work.

Ear Training
Learn to recognize riffs, melodies and chord changes by listening.

Improvisation
Use scales, harmony and phrasing to create your own ideas.

Music Reading
Traditional notation, chord charts, lead sheets and tablature as appropriate.

Music Is Better With Other People.

Guitar and bass are built for collaboration.

As students progress, DAMPA gives musicians opportunities to take what they're learning beyond the private lesson room through recitals, showcases, recording projects and other performance opportunities.

Take Your Music Into the Studio.

DAMPA's professional in-house recording studio gives guitar and bass students the opportunity to experience music beyond the lesson room.

Record covers, original songs and special projects while learning real studio skills like tracking, layering parts, tone, timing and working with other musicians.

Don't Just Learn Songs. Create Them.

For students interested in writing their own music, guitar can become a powerful creative tool.

Lessons can incorporate chord progressions, song structure, riffs, melody, arranging and accompaniment—helping students turn musical ideas into complete songs.

Meet Your Guitar & Bass Teachers

From rock and contemporary players to classical, jazz and working performers, our faculty brings a wide range of musical backgrounds and teaching approaches.

Take It to the Stage.

Students have opportunities to perform throughout the year through two full DAMPA recitals, showcases and special performance opportunities.

Performance is encouraged, never required. Whether the goal is playing in front of an audience, joining a band or simply becoming confident enough to play a favorite song for friends and family, we'll meet the student where they are.

Start With Your First Chord. Keep Going.

DAMPA welcomes complete beginners while also providing instruction for experienced guitarists ready to deepen their technique, theory, repertoire, improvisation and performance skills.

As a student's goals change, their curriculum—and when appropriate, their teacher—can evolve with them.

Ready to Play?

Tell us what you want to learn and we'll match you with guitar or bass teachers and available Free Trial times.