Daniel Martins
Guitar Teacher // Song Writer // Vocal Coach
Daniel (also known by the stage name TRüCO) is an avid guitar player and singer. He began his guitar journey at the age of 14 after his older sister got a guitar for Christmas and gave up after a month. Seeing the guitar lying around he picked it up and began to use it as an outlet for his "teenage suburban angst". In college he formed a band and gigged throughout the California Bay Area, all while pursuing a degree at the University of California, Santa Cruz in Psychology and Music. After graduating he took his passion abroad and spent two years as a solo act in New Zealand and Australia before returning to California. After a number of Years spent as a working musician and teacher in Los Angeles, Ca he moved up to Seattle, WA in 2023 where he currently resides. He has spent Nearly a decade as a guitar & Vocal teacher stoking the musical fire in students of all ages. His wide repertoire of over 300 songs makes him well versed in a multitude of styles. While his sister never returned to playing, she often tells him she's "glad somebody put that thing to good use."
FAQ
Why did you choose to be a guitar teacher?
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Above all else I like the fact that I get to help people develop a skill. The greatest part about learning how to play an instrument is that there are no real shortcuts, whether you learn to play a song in a week or a day is only determined by your effort, and as you grow it only gets “easier” because of all the effort you put in before. In essence playing the guitar is an external measure of internal growth. As the teacher I get a front row seat, and it’s a pretty incredible show.
What sets you apart from other Guitar Teachers?
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While teaching Guitar is the Primary Focus of my curriculum; I believe these lessons are really about musicianship. So if your goals are to be able to sing and play, use the guitar to song write, or just to shred I'm your Dan!
Are you good with Kid's and Teens?
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Yes! I spent 4 years as a music teacher and camp counselor at the YMCA's resident camp, Camp Jones Gulch, where I would work with kids from age 6 to 17. It was a huge part of my young adulthood and gave me quite a bit of insight on how to best motivate Kid's, Preteens and Teenagers to set new goals and reach them! I loved it so much I even wrote a song about my time there, which is still sung at the end of each week during the summer camp.
I want to record a song for my friends and family, do you have any experience in this?
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Absolutely! I spent 3 years working in professional Recording studio's in both Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and in Santa Cruz, CA. Whether it's a simple recording or a fully produced track I have insight into recording technique and mixing to make your track sound it's absolute best!
Do you teach Electric or Acoustic Guitar?
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I teach both! While in essence the fundamentals of guitar playing are the same for both electric and acoustic guitar there are stylistic differences between the two and I switch between them to meet the needs of what my students want to learn. So don't feel the need to buy a new guitar just yet because no matter which one you have at your disposal there is plenty to be learned on it!
