Dimitar Ivanov

Which musician has influenced you the most?
My last guitar teachers George Vassilev and Dušan Bogdanović because of their compositional and expressive musical skills. Egberto Gismonti and Avishai Cohen for their rhythmic and multi-dimensional performances. J.S.Bach for the counterpoint.

What can you teach me on your instrument better than any other teacher?
Using your optimal potential of playing guitar 

How did you learn to play your instrument?
There were always the wrenched guitars of my father at home on which I was amusing as a child. When I was only 7 years old I choose naturally to learn guitar between few more instruments at the primary school in my native town.

How do you go about writing a song or composing a piece yourself?
First is the idea for a new piece. It could be an exciting new playing technique, impression of a place, nature, or else. Then the notes comes easily.

What equipment do you play on today?
My guitar is a 10-string made from the German luthier Dieter Müller. When it comes about amplify its sound I use Carlos Juan CS sensor, his pre-amp/EQ pedal and his custom made amplifier.

What personal characteristic has helped you the most in practising?
Perseverance, pushing my limits, which often is difficult and which becomes easy after, then I push again.

What does your instrument have that others don't?
10 strings, expression appropriate to my way of playing, clear sound.

What do you pay special attention to when teaching?
It is important that the students understand the way they practice efficiently and become independent from their teachers as soon as possible. 

How do you structure your music lessons?
There is a part of the lesson where we work on problems of the current piece. A part for development of the currently needed playing techniques. A part for development of other skills as it could be a particular rhythmic group, chord, dynamics, articulation etc.

How do you approach children?
Children often need very simple explications, showing them how it is happening, following a progressive methodology.

What has been your greatest experience as a musician so far?
In a summer touring between Swiss towns, Berlin and Paris playing in diversity of spaces from concert halls to street festivals.

What was the biggest stage you played on?
A theatre of 480 places 

Which musician would you like to play with?
The Bulgarian kaval player Theodosii Spassov for his ability to communicate with any musician in any style.

Which record would you take with you to the desert island?
Bach’s “Goldberg Variations” performed by Jean Rondeau for its depth.

On which stage would you most like to play or do you most like to play?
Carnegie Hall (NYC).

What else is important in your life besides music?
My family and entourage, the “right” proportions of things, feeling a universally connection with the society and nature, innovation.