Lessons
Build a catalog of songs you can play.
Songs are the inspiration. Danny’s unique approach to teaching the guitar simplifies learning songs as opposed to just learning licks. He bridges right and left hand technique with theory using a process of breaking down small sections which promotes the fastest progress. While many instructive videos seem to place too much emphasis on the guitar neck, Danny includes a focus on the plucking hand which is mostly overlooked.
Choose to explore reading guitar tab or note reading. Discover simple music theory and how it applies to chords and scales. Build better technique through rhythmic strums and playing in time. Learn to jam with other musicians. Whether you play acoustic or electric guitar, Danny's approach can help you progress to the next level.
Quotes from Students
“Danny Dean is the most capable and versatile guitar teacher I ever studied with, based on almost 9 years guitar instruction with half a dozen different instructors. A retiree with no special ability I had become frustrated with an apparently insurmountable plateau that nothing seemed to help. Danny addressed my individual difficulties with creative and effective fixes that quickly got me progressing again. Not just a gifted, school trained musician with both electric or acoustic instruments, he is unfailingly encouraging with a teaching style customized to each individual student. I highly recommend him as a teacher of guitar for all regardless of age or ability level.” - Duane Z.
— Current Student
About Danny
As a self-taught guitarist, Danny grew up in Chicago performing blues and rock up until his late teens. He then enrolled and studied guitar for two years at the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music/Milwaukee. Prior to moving to the DMV, Danny worked in Nashville with artists performing on tours and recording sessions as well as guitar instruction.
Currently, Danny is an active member of the Songwriters Association of Washington (S.A.W.) and has taught classes on performance and rhythm at the annual S.A.W. Community Day. He has also won two Honorable Mentions with the Mid-Atlantic Song Contes for his compositions, “Healing” and "Stone Soup”.
Danny has been invited to perform for special showcases. In 2019 he performed a Beatles tribute “Get Back” to a sold out show at Jammin’ Java. He was also invited to perform his original guitar compositions at Ron Goad’s Guitar Summit at Cafe Montmartre and shared the stage with luminary guitar players: Sol Roots, Bugsy Cline, and Daniel Lee. Danny continues to perform with “The Watch” and showcase his instrumental pieces through the DMV.
backstage at Jammin' Java
Original Compositions
"Healing" received Honorable Mention in the Instrumental category for the 35th Mid-Atlantic Song Contest!
"Stone Soup" received Honorable Mention from the 33rd Mid-Atlantic Song Contest!
Guitar solo from a song in Danny's original band: The Watch
Studio
Receive professional tracks tailored to your song. With Danny’s keen sense for melodic and harmonic structure, he finesses a song’s story and message then translates to the guitar.
Contact Danny for in studio sessions or request remote studio tracking: dannydean.guitar@gmail.com