David Spencer - Teacher #4188

Instruments:
- Electric Bass
- Guitar
- Piano
- Singer-Songwriter
- Voice

Services:
- Composition
- Ear Training
- Harmony
- Music Theory (Advanced)
- Music Theory (Beginner-Intermediate)

Languages:
- English

Teaching Philosophy

I've always had a connection to music that is deeper than words can explain. Seeing that spark in a student is why I love teaching, and I aim to never stop that curiosity from guiding our lessons. As a kid, I began playing clarinet, and eventually tuba, in my school band. While I loved music, I found it hard to connect to the often century or two-old compositions we would play. One day, I worked up the courage to ask my teacher if we'd be able to play a modern composition, such as All You Need is Love by the Beatles. I remember feeling so defeated when she promptly dismissed the thought of playing what she called "immature" music. Music is about discipline, and I view my playing like an athlete views their health. An ideal student for me is someone that is passionate about modern music and wants to learn how to play their instrument through the lens of their favourite songs!

Musical Education

I studied at Seneca College and received an Ontario College Certificate in Independent Music Production. This program taught performance, composition, recording and production. My principal teachers have been songwriters such as Lennon/McCartney, Sting, John Mayer, and many books that explain why these artists are the kind of brilliant worth learning to! I have studied guitar for over 15 years now, both with teachers and independently. I primarily play bass these days and have learned from the greats such as James Jamerson and Pino Palladino. I am a self-taught pianist and vocalist and am happy to teach any (or all!) of these instruments.

Special Skills and Training

I have now practiced music for well over 10000 hours, which I believe to be how long it takes before you begin to feel like you're mastering your playing. In addition to this, I've written over 200 songs and studied music theory independently for years. Outside of teaching, I work as a side musician and session player, having recorded a number of albums and played hundreds of shows. I hope to find students with a passion that results in a strong dedication to constant improvement!

Rates

30 Minutes: $39.00
45 Minutes: $49.00
60 Minutes: $59.00

There is a one-time registration fee of 25 $ charged with the first lessons. All Taxes are included in prices, if applicable

NOTE: Your Credit card will be charged ONLY when the first lesson is set up and confirmed with the teacher

Policies


1. Cancellation Policy

Lessons not cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice are billable to the client and payable to the teacher. This does not of course apply to travel fees unless the notice is effectively given at the door and the teacher has travelled to the location.

2. Cessation (quitting) Policy

A client must provide a 2 lesson notice period to stop lessons. So a weekly student needs to give 2 weeks of notice, a biweekly student works out to 3 weeks notice and a twice weekly student works out to a week of notice.

3. Illness Policy

Lessons cancelled due to illness or extraordinary circumstances with less than 24 hours notice remain billable to the client and payable to the teacher.

BAH teachers are encouraged to offer a make-up lesson at a future date in the interest of client relations and general goodwill. This only makes sense as teaching a student with the flu for example, will ruin the rest of your week's employment.

No more than 2 lessons may be made up due to illness within a 60 day period.

4. Rescheduling Policy

Any lesson can be cancelled or rescheduled with at least 24 hours notice.

Summer Vacation and Extended Absence Policy

Clients may schedule longer absences for trips etc. 24 hours notice is required.

It is normal and typical for students and about 20% of our teachers to schedule a break in the summer. We do not enforce a notice period (see cessation of lessons) at the end of a long summer break.

5. Evaluation Period

There are no free trial lessons with Beethoven at Home but we do offer a 2 lesson evaluation period where it is easy to try out a teacher. There are no free lessons during the evaluation period and clients may choose to discontinue the lessons at any time by providing the required 24 hours notice. After the student's 3rd lesson the required 2 lesson notice period will apply (see cessation of lessons above).

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