Experienced Guitar Player

Dave’s love for music began when he was a teenager. He was first influenced by Led Zeppelin and Metallica and decided to begin playing guitar and string bass in high school. Beginning in middle school, Dave began taking bass and guitar lessons and focused on learning many styles and techniques. He especially focused on metal, jazz, classical composition, and rock. Soon after learning how to play, he began composing music, and debuted his first piece for full orchestra in 2004. The piece: In the Hall of the Mountain King arranged for full orchestra and a rock trio. 

In 2005, Dave traveled to Nashville, Tennessee, to record his first full album, Sometimes, All The Time, an instrumental collection featuring the acoustic guitar. The album showcased Dave’s many stylistic interests.

In 2006, Dave enrolled at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee to study music composition and creative writing. While honing his songwriting skills, Dave was exposed to the experimental elements of classical and electronic music. Composers such as Philip Glass and Steve Reich greatly influenced Dave’s style and lent an atmospheric element to his writing. Trent Reznor, of Nine Inch Nails, was a big influence on the electronic music Dave created during this period. During this period Dave was also exposed to the metal music coming out of Sweden, bands including In Flames, Opeth, and Meshuggah.

After college and attracted to the artistic atmosphere in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Dave moved back to Minnesota to continue his career. Dave finished his second album, Destinations, in 2012. Destinations is Dave’s first album to feature vocals. Through his music, Dave strives to push musical boundaries and simultaneously make meaningful connections with the listener.

Experienced Guitar Teacher

Dave has been teaching guitar, music theory and music composition since 2010 both privately and through music stores. He focuses on integrating music theory into beginning lessons because it makes learning, speaking about and playing guitar an easier process in the long run. 

“It may be more intense in the beginning to learn music theory with the basics of guitar, but it makes learning the connections between scales and chords, speaking to other musicians, and writing riffs, licks or songs faster and more easily done.”

While no longer a full-time teacher Dave continues to teach a handful of students privately and maintains his passion for teaching guitar and bringing the next generation of players into the fold.

More information on Dave’s original music and any upcoming performances can be found at davedoughertymedia.com and find Dave’s random thoughts and happenings on the social networks below:

• Facebook: facebook.com/davedoughertymedia

• Twitter: twitter.com/davedougherty