A Conversation with David Leisner: Guitar Culture, Interpretation, and the Long View of Music
It’s always a privilege to sit down with artists who have shaped the field over many decades — not only through their performances, but through their thinking, teaching, and generosity toward the next generation. Recently, I had the opportunity to record a long-form conversation with guitarist, composer, and educator David Leisner, and the depth of insight he shared made this a truly special episode.
David has been described by American Record Guide as “among the finest guitarists of all time.” He currently serves as Chair of the Guitar Department at the Manhattan School of Music and is widely respected as a performer, composer, and master teacher. Many guitarists will also know him as the author of the essential book Playing with Ease, which addresses healthy technique, awareness, and long-term sustainability at the instrument.
In this conversation, we explored everything from pedagogy and interpretation to creativity, cultural shifts in the guitar world, and how musicians can build meaningful artistic lives over time.
Teaching Beyond Technique
One of the strongest themes in our discussion was the idea that teaching is about far more than mechanics or repertoire. David spoke about cultivating awareness, curiosity, and musical responsibility in students — helping them become thoughtful musicians rather than merely competent players.
His work in Playing with Ease reflects this holistic approach, emphasizing physical awareness, freedom of movement, and the removal of unnecessary tension. These ideas are not only about injury prevention; they fundamentally affect musical expression, sound quality, and confidence on stage.
For teachers and students alike, this perspective reframes practice as a process of listening, refinement, and embodied understanding rather than pure repetition.
Shifts in Guitar Culture
We also discussed how classical guitar culture has changed over the past several decades. Access to recordings, online education, competitions, and social media has transformed how musicians learn, compare themselves, and present their work.
David shared thoughtful reflections on both the opportunities and challenges this creates. While access has never been greater, depth, patience, and long-term artistic development can sometimes be overshadowed by speed, visibility, and metrics. His perspective reminds us that artistry is still built through time, reflection, mentorship, and sustained curiosity — regardless of changing platforms.
Composing and Creative Identity
As a distinguished composer as well as performer, David offered insight into how composing informs interpretation and vice versa. Writing music deepens one’s understanding of structure, pacing, harmony, and gesture — skills that directly enrich performance.
Creativity, he emphasized, is not reserved for a select few. It is a muscle that grows through consistent engagement and thoughtful exploration. This resonates deeply with the mission of Creative Classical Guitarist: empowering musicians to become active creators rather than passive consumers of repertoire.
The New Album: Charms to Soothe
We also spoke about David’s newest recording project, Charms to Soothe, exploring the artistic intentions behind the album and the kind of listening experience it offers.
Recordings are more than documentation — they are artistic statements, reflections of a musician’s current thinking, sound ideals, and interpretive maturity. David’s perspective highlights how recording can become a deeply intentional and reflective process rather than merely a technical exercise.
Interpretation and Musical Meaning
Interpretation formed another rich part of our conversation. Rather than relying on fixed answers, David encouraged ongoing inquiry: listening more deeply, questioning assumptions, and allowing music to remain alive and evolving over time.
Interpretation is not about correctness alone — it is about meaning, communication, and authenticity. This mindset invites musicians to stay open, flexible, and artistically engaged throughout their careers.
Influence, Mentorship, and Looking Forward
We also touched on influential figures in David’s life, including Leonard Schulz, and the importance of mentorship in shaping musical identity. Artistic growth rarely happens in isolation; it is nourished by teachers, colleagues, students, and musical community.
As our conversation moved toward the future, David shared reflections on continuing curiosity, creative projects, and maintaining artistic vitality across decades of work.
Practical Career Wisdom
The episode concluded with practical career advice rooted in experience rather than hype. Sustainable musicianship involves patience, adaptability, integrity, and a willingness to continually learn and refine one’s craft.
For young musicians especially, this long-view perspective offers grounding in a field that can sometimes feel uncertain or overly competitive.
Watch the Full Conversation
You can watch the full podcast episode here:
👉 Click Here
Whether you’re a student, teacher, performer, or passionate listener, this conversation offers thoughtful insight into what it truly means to grow as a musician over a lifetime.
If you enjoyed this discussion and would like to explore deeper musicianship, creativity, and artistic development, you’re warmly invited to explore the Creative Classical Guitarist community.