David Thirgood (Business Owner & Principal Guitar Teacher)

BIOGRAPHY
As of 2020, David Thirgood has entered his 16th year of full time music 
tuition (both privately and in NSW State and Catholic School systems). David
 has been a guitarist since the age of 7 and began playing professionally
 at the age of 14. Having had the opportunity to be mentored by some of
 Australia's best guitarists including Phil Emmanuel, Rex Goh, Brett
 Garsed, Steve Grieve, Rick Price and Ross Ward (of Wards Express), David
 is able to play seamlessly in a variety of styles ranging from Rock,
 Pop, Country, Jazz, Bluegrass and Rockabilly... and many more!

With career highlights including appearances on The Midday Show with
 Kerri-Anne Kennerley, regional NSW Sydney Olympic Torch Relay shows,
 performing alongside Australian singer-songwriter (and record breaking 7 
Golden Guitar winner) Sara Storer, touring with some of Sydney's best
 cabaret/impersonator shows as principal guitarist and performing in pit
 orchestras as lead guitarist with countless theatre groups across
 Sydney, David kept a varied and consistent work schedule always with a
 goal to find the next challenge and to "never stop getting better".

EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHY
David has had an extensive teaching background with students aged from 3 
to 70 years old. Whether the student is a beginner or in the advanced
 category, David has a speciality in understanding that all students are
 individuals and can masterfully create a tailored program that examines 
their wants and needs so as to achieve their specific goals while having 
FUN! David is confident in creating lesson plans to guide musicians 
through their AMEB or Rock School examinations and equally comfortable
 with tailoring a program for the hobby musician.

With a great interest in music technology, David’s lessons incorporate
the use of advanced software and hardware to aide in the tuition
 process. Software such as Logic Pro X, Guitar Pro 7, Neck Diagrams 2,
 Finale, Band-In-A-Box and The Amazing Slow Downer are all put to use in
 most lessons. With 15 years of learning materials that have been
 carefully curated and created, David is always prepared to be able to
 confidently explain all musical concepts and teach 1000’s of songs at
 any given moment.

STYLES OF MUSIC TAUGHT
David firmly believes that students should be given the chance to
 experience all types of music and will encourage this highly in lessons. From an understanding and appreciation of classical guitar,
 through to Jazz, Blues, Country, Rock and Pop, there is always something
 to be learned from each style.

MUSICAL INTERESTS
Having been captivated by The Beatles at the age of 6, David began a 
musical journey that has taken him on an A-Z of influences. By age 10,
 David was beginning to find that the sounds of Eric Clapton and the
 blues guitar greats that went before him captured his heart the most.
 Discovering the guitar virtuosity of Gary Moore, Tommy and Phil
 Emmanuel, Hank Marvin and The Shadows, The Hellecasters, Chet Atkins,
 Mark Knopfler, Robben Ford, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Joe Satriani, Steve Vai
 and so many more during his teenage years turned David’s ears to many
 different genres of music.

By David’s mid 20’s, Country and Bluegrass 
music was playing a large part of his life and discovering the greatest 
guitar stars of Nashville such as Brent Mason, Dan Huff and Brad Paisley
gave David the opportunity to delve in to very different styles of
playing. These days, David can be found listening to anything from
Classical, Jazz, Rock, Pop and everything in between. While David may
 not like all styles or artists, he believes it is important to
appreciate all musical talent and understand that all genres of music 
play a part in the big picture.

Contact David today to discuss how he can help you become the musician you have always wanted to be.