The Lofty Art of Guitars

David Mark opened his second David’s Guitar Loft in old town Fenton last June. His first guitar studio in Webster Groves opened in 2000 and was located in a tiny second story “loft” over a deli.

His wife and co-owner Lara Mark said they were looking to expand their business and decided Fenton had both the right family atmosphere plus a lack of competition from quality instructional studios. She said that David’s Guitar Loft’s main focus is teaching, where as other stores emphasize retail sales and have added musical instruction as an afterthought.

“We’re a teaching store that supports our students,” Lara said.

David has been playing guitar since he was six.

“He taught guitar to put himself through college,” said Lara. He graduated with a degree in computer information systems, but later decided that music suited him better. After working for other music schools in the St. Louis area, he decided to open his own studio so he could teach students his own way.

Lara said that typical music lessons last for a half hour at other places, which isn’t enough time to review, ask questions and still learn new material. David offers hour long lessons for $40 a session. He has a dozen instructors who can teach guitar, bass, mandolin, drums and keyboards in many different styles from classical to rock.

“Most teachers have a masters, we’re very picky about who we hire,” said Lara. “These guys all love music and have a passion for it.”

Every student is invited to participate in a weekly improv session as part of their curriculum. “It’s to learn how to listen to each other, learn timing and discover how to improvise,” Lara said. She added that few people learn guitar or drums to be soloist—they want to be able to play in a band.

Adult students are invited to a free monthly jam session at Webster’s to play in groups. Kids and adults can participate in a 10 week School of Rock style program called Rock Start where students are matched with others of a similar skill level and musical style. At the end of their program they perform on stage at the Highway 61 Roadhouse.