Experienced tutor in Music theory in New York, David offers private lessons tailored to your needs.

I am deeply indebted to David Berger for his generous sharing of knowledge that informed and inspired me in my early days of arranging and composing. In a classroom setting, or private lesson, there is no finer jazz writing instructor than David in today’s jazz education world. His legendary efforts of historical transcription and study, indefatigable enthusiasm for the art form, and eloquence of conceptual expression only serve to increase the likelihood of a student reaching their maximum potential as an artist.

Mr. Berger’s teaching consists of a unique combination of orchestrational techniques combined with an emphasis on aesthetic, playability, nuance, and style. These lessons have proved to be invaluable.
I would highly recommend David Berger as a jazz composition/arranging instructor. Any student fortunate enough to study with him would benefit greatly.

David is a master of the fine details of jazz composing and arranging like no other, and has the rare ability to be both artist and teacher at the highest level. During my studies with David, which are still ongoing, he’s encouraged me to find my own voice through hard work, deep study of the masters and their work, and conversations about common ideas used in writing and arranging jazz as well as ways to apply them to my music. He has the ability to see a piece I’ve presented him, whether a small sketch or fully composed work, and almost immediately recognize what my thought process was while writing it, as well as how I can develop and improve the piece. One of my favorite parts of studying with David is his individual approach to teaching each student and how much I can tell he cares about my work, as well as the childlike excitement he has when hearing new music. Another favorite part of my studies with David are his encyclopedic knowledge of all things jazz, and music in general and the wonderful, many times first hand, jazz history lessons I am given during each lesson. My time studying with David has no doubt seen me grow more than anytime in the rest of my musical development and I look forward to many more years of study.