Guitar Lessons, Performance, Recording & More

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Address:
101 North Mount Tabor Road
Lexington, KY 40509
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• Provider travels up to 150 miles
• Customer travels

It's all about music and guitar! I teach, perform, and record. Contact me by phone or email or web-form.

Guitar Lessons:

With the help of my expanding SDML instructor network, I created and continue to develop the SDML instructional system. My students have been as young as 4 and as old as 85+, and they all have fun and learn to play.

No sales pitch needed here. The accomplishments of my students - you've seen them perform live and on TV, radio, print, etc - and the rare backing by Gibson Guitars, speaks for the efficiency of the system. It's all about fun and gaining mechanical proficiency fast, so the student can meet their personal goals.

Performance:

I currently perform with my acoustic duo Alien Blue and am also a gun-for-hire, having performed hundreds of shows over the past 30 years, from small coffee shops playing to dozens to big venues playing to thousands to big gigs on MTV and Woodsongs playing to millions.

I've shared the stage with unknown virtuosos as well as legends and Grammy winners, like Foghat, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Lori "Killing Me Softly" Lieberman, Paul Di'Anno of Iron Maiden, JD Crowe, Muriel Anderson, Tom Rush, Michael Johnathon, etc., and can deliver the goods every time.

Recording:

I've worked as a producer, recording engineer and studio musician. Do you need custom music composed and recorded for your business? Do you need an audio consultant for your project? Do you need some smooth acoustic chords or tight-funk comping; a barrage of nylon-string flamenco or a screaming electric guitar solo for your current studio adventure?

I can record on-site at your location or record in my home studio and send you the trax. Just drop me a line!

Reviews

• May 21, 2011

  

  I started taking lessons with Dave back in late 2003 at the Beaumont YMCA. It was a group guitar class for beginners, and I was learning to play my 3-month old Takamine. I'm a visual learner and the class was great for me. I picked it all up fast, progressed from there and enjoyed every session on every level. David is a great teacher and an awesome mentor. He is positive, easy to talk to, and encouraging, and makes even the stressful parts about learning and/or improving on a new instrument into an enjoyable experience.
  
  I remember that---since everyone goes at their own pace---he's really good about sitting down with an individual in a group class and assisting them with an issue one-on-one, so everyone learns what they need to know and no one feels left out or behind.
  
  Every time a friend or acquaintance says they would like to learn guitar, I recommend that they look into a music class with Dave. It's impossible to walk away from one without some new and improved skills---and some self-confidence!

  – Maddie

• May 19, 2011

  

  My working relationship with David McLean goes back decades.
  
  He's played on my recordings as well as engineered and co-produced them. He collaborated with me on soundtracks and, frankly, made them sound better than I could have done without him.
  
  More recently, his duo Alien Blue and my duo Tubanjo performed together in Lexington. It was such a positive experience that Tubanjo is eager to work with them again as soon as possible.
  
  Not only is David McLean an excellent guitar player with rock solid technique, he's also a consummate professional. David always maintains a positive attitude and freely shares his knowledge and experience to the benefit of those of us who have the pleasure to work with him.
  
  I highly recommend him and his work.

  – Mike

• May 19, 2011

  

  As an instructor I've found David's enthusiasm and knowledge top notch. He brings tons of experience to every musical situation he's in. I'm also an instructor and make my living as a musician. One of the things that really struck me about David is the amount of consideration he has for everyone he works with. He's a master at taking his discipline and applying it to his students, no matter what level they are. Then he makes sure they're excited about what they learn and play.
  
  David is a true gem as an instructor, player and person. Whenever I need inspiration while I teach guitar, I try to think of his perspective and ideas he's shared with me.

  – Matt

• May 4, 2011

  

  This guy was born to teach. I have been in all of David's classes at the Y and I knew that he was doing what he had been called to do.

  – Dennis

• March 28, 2011

  

  I have been a student of Dave’s and still bug him from time to time
  Not only is Dave the greatest teacher but also a great entertainer
  Even if he does tell me to man up when I say my fingers hurt.
  He is still the best around!
  
  Thanks Dave

  – Billy

• March 27, 2011

  

  Only a select few people I've met over my nearly 50 years on this earth have made me respect them a little more each time I see them. David McLean is one of those people for me. David is the most dedicated, accomplished musician and teacher, who has committed his time and craftsmanship to the advancement of students and fellow musicians in their musical quests, that I have ever met. David has a furious passion for music that is fueled by the accomplishments, growths, and successes of his students.
  
  I have been blessed with fortune and honor to enrich my own quest in guitar performance and musical theory under David's tutelage, as well as performing on stage with his duo Alien Blue. David has a nationally acclaimed guiar program that teaches all ages, musical interests, and levels of skill with an unwaivering focus on each student's individual needs and concerns. He takes the same energy in teaching a student that can shred through arpeggio sweeps with blazing speed, as he does with a true beginner that's not quite sure how to hold a guitar.
  
  When I watch, listen, and at times even know what David is playing on guitar, I see and hear a truly spectacular master of guitar. Audibly, and visually, he is a true spectrum of talent, skill, and spot on creativity that will leave you screaming for more, if you can catch your breath!

  – James D.

• March 26, 2011

  

  The biggest mistake I made with David was waiting too long to call him. His impressive resume seems rather intimidating, but he is extremely accessible and approachable. Do not think "He is too good, he wouldn't want to teach me" as I did. While being very humble he is, simply put, the single most inspirational person I have ever met. If you have a strength he will help you find it and maximize it.
  He is the consummate professional in everything he does, but he has chosen teaching as his primary profession and is without a doubt the best of the best. David is such an excellent teacher that he has taught many of his students to also be excellent teachers(Paul and John below among others).

  – Eric

• March 25, 2011

  

  I've taken lessons from Dave for nearly 5 years now. I started off as a bass guitar student and eventually ventured off to the regular six string guitar. No matter what instrument I bring (I think I brought a Mandolin once, ha!), I'll walk out of the room with the inspiration to try out something new, or to build upon things that I've been considering...
  
  I recently made in into Morehead State University's music program with the bass guitar as my primary performance instrument, I can confidently say that Dave has empowered me to achieve this awesome feat and for that I am forever grateful.
  

  – John

• March 25, 2011

  

  My son studied guitar with David for two years and it was such a wonderful experience. I would listen to his teaching style with admiration (and a bit of jealousy... ahh, to teach without proficiency testing, what a treat). He is the perfect guitar teacher because he listens to his students and responds to their interests. Plus, he's just a cool guy we liked to see each week. So, when Carter said he wanted to take a break from guitar, David was supportive and now... one of the motivations Carter has to return to playing guitar is because he misses his teacher and that is what makes David so unique: the dynamic he creates between teacher and student is particularly special and it's been such a positive influence on our lives to know him.

  – Elizabeth

• March 25, 2011

  

  I've been a student of David's for over 5 years. He has not only helped rekindle my interest in playing the guitar after a 30 year hiatus, but has helped me start a part-time (my choice) professional career. David has the technical expertise, the teaching skills for both the beginner and the experienced player, and the keen insight into an individual's strengths and needs to help them evolve musically. Most importantly, he makes it all so enjoyable. And he's one hellofa person...you always feel better when you've been around, David. Highly recommended.

  – David

• March 25, 2011

  

  I've known David for nearly 10 yrs and we have worked together on everything from sidewalks to nationally broadcast radio to student recitals and demonstrations. His enthusiasm, knowledge, artistry and commitment have always made it an exceptionally positive experience.

  – Philip

• March 25, 2011

  

  It's not enough to say David has been my daughter's (Sydney) guitar teacher. He has been the single most influential person in her life over the past 2.5 years. For us, David has been a mentor, advisor, teacher, motivator, door opener, encourager...I could go on and on! Through David's mentorship, Sydney has grown as an artist, performer, songwriter, and (more importantly) a person. We are better for having known David and give him our HIGHEST recommendation!
  

  – Allison

• March 25, 2011

  

  Dave McLean is an amazing teacher and artist... Dave is one of those rare people one meets through the course of life that truly stands out- he has a zest for life and a love for music that is truly infectious. Dave is a wonderful teacher and person!

  – DavieP

• March 25, 2011

  

  As a student of David's for more than five years, I can attest with absolute certainty as to the effectiveness of his teaching and mentorship. Under his guidance, two years ago I was able to begin a career in music full-time, and now teach and play guitar as a professional, earning 100% of my income as a self-employed musician.
  
  I firmly believe that this is due in no small part to Dave's knowledge, determination, and sincere desire to promote others and watch them succeed. He has taught me not only mastery of the instrument, but how to leverage my own strengths so that my considerable effort gains maximum benefits in my career, and in my life on the whole.
  
  If you are determined to be a serious musician, meet and exceed your goals faster and better than ever, and discover the true potential you have, then there is no real alternative in Kentucky, maybe anywhere, to David's Skinny Devil Music Labs guitar program.

  – Paul

• March 25, 2011

  

  Have watched David develop his instructional style from a simple idea into a very successful program with many satisfied and very successful students. David doesn't just deal with the music that's outside of you, that simple music you'd like to learn to play.. he teaches you about the music that's inside of you too. As an artist in music, or in life, you'll find a positive and empowering mentor in David.

  – Jami

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