David Ward
Guitar, banjo, music theory
David is a marvellously versatile guitarist and banjo player best known for his work within theatre, notably his relationship with the Indian Ink Theatre Company. Since 2004, he has been the composer and music director of all the company’s productions, twice winning ‘Most Outstanding Composer’ at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards (New Zealand theatre’s ‘Oscars’). When he’s not conjuring theatrical magic, you’ll find David gigging regularly with his original jazz ensemble Ruckus, or with old-time, folk and blues projects such as Wheel of Experience and Shindig. Other recent roles include guest banjoist with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and composer/arranger/tutor/banjo advisor for the Jane Campion-directed film Power Of The Dog. He keeps a website of his own where you can follow what he's up to.
In short, our man lives, breathes and dreams music and in his spare time… he teaches! If you want to learn guitar, banjo or music theory from one of the best in the business, hit David up now.
+ What I can teach you
- Banjo. Learn it all – clawhammer, old-time fingerpicking, bluegrass and contemporary banjo styles.
- Guitar. David teaches the styles YOU want to learn – rock, pop, classical, blues, country, funk, folk, jazz…
- Music Theory. With an eclectic genre-stretching career – and a degree in Jazz Performance – lessons with David will help you to demystify technique, scales, modes, harmony, improv. and ‘how it all fits together’. Unlock that fretboard!
+ My teaching style
I encourage my students to play whatever music they love, while underpinning my lessons with a solid foundation of knowledge and practice. I try to instil in the student a desire to explore their instrument, to see the fundamentals as windows into making music. I have experience teaching people of all ages, levels of accomplishment and musical styles.
+ My first significant musical moment
According to my parents I had an uncanny gift of remembering and singing musical jingles as a small child!
+ Most enduring influence
I first stumbled on Thelonious Monk’s album Monk’s Dream in a bargain bin when I was in my teens. I still regularly listen to Monk and he has been a huge influence on both my compositions and my approach to improvisation. He even made it into my son’s middle name!
+ Most thrilling gig I've played
That’s a hard one, as many of the most joyous moments are hidden away in a small gig that no one sees! I was very proud of the season of Wheel of Experience at Q Theatre. Wonderful fellow musicians, rich storytelling and a packed audience. Rapturous reviews. It was a culmination of a long period of creation, rehearsal and touring the show all around Aotearoa.
+ Fave youtube clip
I really love this clip of Ruckus playing Larry the Lounge Lizard, live at the Creative Jazz Club Aotearoa.
Testimonials
“I’ve been taking weekly guitar lessons with David since late 2013, after many years of trying to teach myself and being very dissatisfied with my lack of progress. Through David’s teaching I’ve accomplished more than I could have hoped for, especially in the area of fingerstyle blues. I’ve learned to play songs by Mississippi John Hurt, Doc Watson, and other blues guitar greats, songs I thought would be far too complex and difficult until David broke them down into manageable sections and patiently showed me how to play each bar, slowly at first, over and over, until I got each one under my fingers and the whole song took shape.” > Tom, Auckland
“Neither musical nor theatrical experiences come any more astonishing than the Wheel Of Experience. The three performers seem to have stepped straight out of one of the epic folk ballads that are the basis of this intimate and utterly engaging show. You hear about good performers bringing songs to life, but in this case the songs seem to have given birth to the performers.” > Nick Bollinger, Radio New Zealand