


I'm 47 and have been studying, writing and performing music since the age of 15. I have a B.A. in Music from San Francisco State University where I studied classical intensely, as well as jazz and world music. I live in South Berkeley and have been teaching private lessons here for the last 20 years at my home studio in a cooperative house. I worked for BandWorks School of Rock in Oakland as a band coach for 6 years and now currently have my own independent program. I enjoy performing classical music for weddings and events, playing shows with local rock, metal and Django/Hot Club swing groups, writing original music and scoring for films. I love and appreciate genuine passionate music of all genres, languages and cultures.
"Daniel is a great guitar teacher who strikes a balance between theory and practical play. Daniel engaged our child (8) by playing songs they wanted to play even if Daniel had never heard them before. He equipped our kid with tools that allowed him to practice at home. Daniel really brought out the confidence and love in our kid to keep playing the guitar. We're so grateful for finding Daniel!!
As a guitarist for almost 20 years, I began playing guitar at 9 years of age and started playing classical guitar. I then picked up the electric guitar at 16, acoustic guitar at 20, and now play flamenco and jazz guitar at 30. I know advanced chords like 6, 9, 7th, 7b9, 7#9, 7b5, 7#5, advanced scales like altered, Lydian dominant, Phrygian dominant, modes, harmonic and melodic minor, etc. I know music theory very well and self-taught myself all kinds of lessons like borrowed chords, modulation, diatonic keys, dominants, tritone substitution, backdoor dominants, secondary dominants, etc. I also create my own music using music theory, circle of fifths, and advanced techniques. I can also use tabs to read music. I'm specifically, however, good at the guitar and almost every time I play at the guitar center, I receive compliments and praises of people telling me that I'm very talented.