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, neo-soul, blues, rock, fusion, and jazz. Dawson also teaches ukulele, a great first step toward guitar.
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).
Guitar Lessons for Every Style
Whether you want to learn jazz guitar, blues, rock, pop, R&B, soul, neo-soul, or fusion, Dawson builds each lesson around the music you actually want to play. Lessons are for complete beginners as well as players ready to explore jazz.
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Beginners start with open chords and power chords, strumming and fingerpicking, and reading tabs and standard notation. Intermediate players move into scales, music theory, and fretboard knowledge, then Drop 2 voicings, modes, arpeggios, and improvisation. Advanced students work on bebop language, triad pairs, walking bass and solo guitar, and chord-melody arranging.
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Every student follows Dawson's four-level guitar roadmap at a pace that fits, in private one-on-one lessons at Jinny's Music Studio in San Jose.
THE GUITAR ROADMAP
Level 0 - Foundations
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Open chords & power chords
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Strumming, alternate & fingerpicking
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Reading tabs & standard notation
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Major & minor triads
Level 1 - Theory & Technique​
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Major, minor, blues & pentatonic scales
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Basic music theory & fretboard knowledge
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Bending, hammer-ons & pull-offs
Level 2 - Musicianship & Expression
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Drop 2 voicings
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Modes, arpeggios & slash chords
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Improvisation & melodic development
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Hybrid & economy picking
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Songwriting fundamentals
Level 3 - Jazz & Advanced Guitar
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Bebop language & advanced scales
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Triad pairs & tritone substitutions
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Advanced improvisation
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Walking bass & solo guitar
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Chord-melody arranging
Styles: Pop • R&B • Soul • Neo-Soul • Blues • Rock • Fusion • Jazz
GUITAR LESSONS FAQ
What styles of guitar can I learn?
Dawson teaches pop, R&B, soul, neo-soul, blues, rock, fusion, and jazz guitar, so lessons can follow the music you actually want to play.
Do I need experience to start guitar lessons?
No. Level 0 starts from the beginning with open chords and power chords, strumming and fingerpicking, reading tabs and standard notation, and major and minor triads.
What will I learn as I progress?
The four-level roadmap builds from foundations to theory and technique, then musicianship and expression, and finally jazz and advanced guitar, including bebop language, triad pairs, advanced improvisation, and chord-melody arranging.
Where are guitar lessons held?
Lessons are private, one-on-one sessions at Jinny’s Music Studio in San Jose.
Does Dawson also teach bass?
Yes. Dawson teaches both guitar and bass. See his bass guitar lessons page for the bass roadmap.
Do you teach ukulele?
Yes. Dawson also teaches ukulele, either as a fun instrument on its own or as a first step toward guitar.
How do I book a trial lesson?
Use the Book Now button at the top of this page.
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
Lessons with Dawson Lau
- 120 US dollars
- 120 US dollars
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.
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, Dawson uses 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 Dawson 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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His 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, he aims 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) and the Louis Armstrong Jazz Award (2020 and 2022).
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At UCLA, Dawson performed with the Jazz Orchestra, Charles Mingus Ensemble, Contemporary Jazz Ensemble, Clayton Cameron Jazz Combo, and African American Music Ensemble. Beyond his extensive jazz background, he has performed across a wide range of genres and musical settings, working with a diverse group of artists and ensembles throughout his career.
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Dawson's teaching reflects this versatility. His curriculum prepares students not only to play jazz, but to confidently perform across genres including pop, R&B, soul, neo-soul, blues, rock, and fusion. His goal is to give students the broad musical foundation and practical skills needed to adapt to different styles, collaborate with a variety of musicians, and become well-rounded, versatile performers.