David James Piano and Bass Studio

Specialties

Next to playing piano and bass, I love teaching lessons on my instruments to others, and have been doing so since I was 19 yrs old. I draw on 36 years of playing experience and 24 years of teaching experience as I offer lessons in my studio.

I have successfully taught piano and bass students ranging in age from 4 to 82. After basics are feeling comfortable, I like to introduce improvisation to my students, something many teachers refuse to do, because they don’t feel comfortable with this particular area of music. Not to be confused with just «playing by ear», improvisation draws heavily upon music theory concepts… people who are skilled in improvisation are spontaneously composing music. This skill allows students to participate effectively in jazz, rock, country, blues, praise and worship, and other popular idioms. I do this while still keeping students involved with the so called «classical» repertoire.

History

Established in 1989.

Started in Emporia, KS in 1989 and have continued teaching while attending college, teaching band and orchestra in public schools, working at a music store, etc.

Meet the Business Owner

David J.

Business Owner

43 years old (in 2011), married 21 years, father to a 13 yr old boy. Grew up in Emporia, KS where I attended Emporia State University. Moved to Wichita, KS in 1993 and taught band and orchestra in the Wichita Public Schools til 1996. Worked for Jim Starkey Music center as an educational representative, string repair person, and print manager until 2011. In the past, also involved in US Army Band, US Army Intelligence, International Society of Bassists, American String Teachers Association, Wichita Area Piano Teachers League, Phi Delta Theta Fraternity.