Small Steps Music

Dave is fantastic. I couldn’t recommend him more highly. I have always wanted to play guitar but didn’t decide to actually start taking lessons until well into my 40’s. My only goal is to have fun. I have a terrible ear and my fingers are not at all nimble. But that doesn’t deter Dave from making sure we have a great time every week. We cover a bit of music theory and sometimes he’s like a personal trainer forcing me though finger exercises if I’ve failed to practice. But more often he is quickly getting me up to speed on just enough technique to have a lot of fun playing in a range of genres, ranging from folk and campfire songs to 12 bar blues to reggae. The lessons are a highlight of my week, and after a few years with Dave, I can now very humbly jump in an play along with friends who’ve been musicians all their lives, which is such a joy.

Dave is simply an amazing musician. It took me awhile to sign up with him because he is so popular, but, in the end Dave was very accommodating and managed to fit me in for a lesson. And everything else is history.
I have learned alot from him in the past two years in mastering how to play the bass. His studio is well-​equipped and I am surprised with the amount of instruments he has available — a keyboard, acoustic guitars, multiple (and very nice!) basses, and a minimalist drum setup.
He is a patient and devoted teacher — he makes learning music very approachable and do-​able, as evident with the number of people that take lessons from him. His students are of all ages and different levels of mastery. The industry also recognizes his expertise as he plays professionally for different groups /​bands.
All in, Small Steps Music is a one of the hidden gems of the Peninsula, and I would not go elsewhere to learn music.
Edit: No way! Just after I posted this review I heard Dave playing on the radio with his band. Very cool!!!

I am a retired adult who loves music (I sang in two excellent choirs) but have never played an instrument or read music. I could not have been a more «know-​nothing» student. Dave took this in stride with an encouraging and optimistic attitude. He makes it clear that he has high expectations but he’s very kind and forgiving when I don’t quite meet them. He finds ways to keep me motivated by giving me things I can do (e.g., work on music theory) when I have trouble doing things I eventually must do (e.g., contort my fingers in ways I never imagined possible). Dave is fantastic and, though the guitar is much harder than I’d imagined, I love practicing, playing and going to my weekly lessons.

I started taking bass lessons with Dave in the fall and can’t recommend him highly enough! He is methodical, patient, flexible in his teaching style and priorities, and clearly able to adapt to students with significant prior musical knowledge to make sure that the lessons are challenging at every level – I’m finally getting to understand harmony, which I never truly got even after years of musical instrument training!
Also, his new remodeled garage studio is perfect for jamming!

Several friends recommended Dave to us, for lessons for our beginning 8 year old. He is amazing. Kind, patient, and most of all, he makes learning music fun. I highly, highly recommend him!

Dave is fantastic. My son started taking acoustic guitar lessons with Dave at age 9 and just loves to play music all the time. He loves the music dave teaches him and over the last year and a half he has learned to play Hotel California, several AC/​DC songs (on electric guitar), Weezer, Bob Dylan, and Dave has encouraged my son to make up his own songs.
Dave is a great teacher and my son has had a wonderful experience.

Dave Minor is the kind of person who was born to teach guitar, especially beginners. He is extremely patient, kind, and enthusiastic. My seven-​year-​old has made great progress and looks forward to every lesson. I’ve already recommended him to several people!

Our seven year old started with Dave five months ago and we have been extremely happy with Small Steps Music. Our son has shown great progress on the guitar, is learning to read and understand music. He and Dave are writing a song together. Most importantly, the lessons are fun and interesting.
«I enjoy my teacher because he gives me small chords to work with, for example, minus two fingers to the C chord and then add them in.» — Devin, 7 years old.

I can’t recommend this school highly enough! Our son has been taking electric bass lessons with Dave for 10 months, and the progress he’s made has been amazing.
The lessons are designed to incorporate the fundamentals and music theory, with enough «jam» time to keep the students having fun and loving music.
Dave is incredibly patient and fun to work with — the perfect instructor for a young person developing their interest in music.

My daughter learned to play the guitar thanks to Simon and his creative teaching. He is a fantastic teacher and very encouraging to the student. I would highly recommend him.