Private Guitar Lessons with Dawson Lau
Build a versatile foundation on guitar with structured, personalized lessons from Dawson Lau.
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Whether you're a complete beginner or ready to explore jazz, Dawson teaches chords, technique, ear training, and music theory so you can learn and play virtually any song. Lessons are available in a wide range of styles, including pop, R&B, soul, blues, classic rock, and jazz.
About Guitarist Dawson Lau
Dawson Lau is a seasoned guitarist, bassist, and passionate educator based in California. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Global Jazz Studies from the UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, where he studied under some of Los Angeles’ leading jazz musicians and educators, including Jacques Lesure, Tamir Hendelman, Clayton Cameron, and Hitomi Oba.
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In addition to his extensive training in jazz, Dawson has developed a versatile career as a session and performing musician, working with artists throughout Los Angeles and the Bay Area across a wide range of genres, including pop, indie, rock, gospel, and more. His diverse musical background allows him to bring a broad perspective to both his performance and teaching, with an emphasis on versatility, musicianship, and adaptability.
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Dawson has over 7 years of teaching and gigging experience, including front ensemble instruction for high school marching bands. His honors include the National Jazz Festival “Superior Musician” award (2022) and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2020 and 2022).
THE GUITAR ROADMAP
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Level 0 (Foundations): open chords, alternate and finger picking, strumming patterns, reading tabs and music, major and minor triads, power chords. Books: Hal Leonard Guitar Method Books 1 and 2
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Level 1 (Barre Chords & Theory): barre chords, string bending, hammer-ons, pull-offs, 7th chords, major, minor, blues and pentatonic scales, Nashville Number System. Book: Hal Leonard Guitar Method Book 3
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Level 2 (Improvisation & Voicings): advanced chord voicings, modes, slash chords, chord extensions, arpeggios, enclosures, economy and hybrid picking, songwriting building blocks. Books: The Real Book (Hal Leonard), Guitar Style (Joe Pass)
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Level 3 (Jazz & Solo Guitar): bebop language, advanced scales, triad pairs, tritone substitutions, sweep picking, walking bass, arranging for solo guitar. Books: The Real Book (Hal Leonard), Chord Solos (Joe Pass), Linear Expressions (Pat Martino), Guitar Style (Joe Pass), Tedgreene.com
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
UCLA African American Music Ensemble, Teaching Assistant (2024-2026): organized concert promotion and performance logistics, worked with event organizers and media partners, and designed concert programs, flyers, and stage plots
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Live Oak Emerald Regiment, Front Ensemble Instruction (2025): coached students on technique, rhythm, and ensemble listening, and arranged exercises tailored to each student's level
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Ann Sobrato Marching Band, Front Ensemble Instruction (2022-2023): coached students on technique, rhythm, and ensemble listening, and arranged exercises tailored to each student's level
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Sideman, Freelance (2022-Present): performs with artists on guitar and bass
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Session Musician, Freelance (2026-Present): records guitar for artists
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Pit guitarist for Hooligan Theatre Company at UCLA (2023) and guitarist at Joe's Oasis at UCLA
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Over 7 years of teaching and gigging experience as a guitarist and bassist
Guitar Lessons
Dawson offers structured guitar lessons for every level, building strong technique, ear training, and music theory through a four-level curriculum.
Dawson also teaches bass guitar, focusing on groove, timing, ear training, and music theory. See his bass lessons for details.
Session & Sideman Work
Need a guitarist or bassist for a gig, session, or recording? Dawson performs and records with artists across many genres.
Teaching Philosophy
Drawing on years of hands-on teaching and performing experience, the approach emphasizes versatility and strong theoretical foundation.
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Rather than simply teaching students where to place their fingers to play a handful of songs, I use a structured curriculum designed to help students develop the skills and understanding needed to learn and perform virtually any song. Lessons combine carefully selected material, either written by me or drawn from established instructional books, with extensive ear training, music theory, technique, and practical playing experience.
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Students will also have opportunities to jam and practice with other musicians, developing the listening, communication, and adaptability that are essential to playing in real-world musical settings.
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My goal is to build not only confident musicians, but well-rounded, adaptable players who understand why music works and can apply that knowledge in any situation. Whether a student wants to play for fun, join a band, pursue professional work, or major in music, I aim to bring them one step closer to becoming a versatile, hirable musician who is ready to play anything.
Dawson's honors include the National Jazz Festival "Superior Musician" award (2022), the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2020 and 2022), and Ann Sobrato High School Outstanding Musician (2019-2022).
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At UCLA, Dawson performed with the Jazz Orchestra, Charles Mingus Ensemble, Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Cameron Clayton Jazz Combo, and African American Music Ensemble. He has worked with artists including Chiabiee, Kelsey Kuan, Dasloe, Kiara Skylar, Aleyna Moon, Paolo Sandejas, Sarah Solomon, and Brynne.
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Dawson's curriculum prepares students to play pop, R&B, soul, neo-soul, jazz, blues, fusion, and classic rock.