Meet Todd Hall | Music Teacher, Guitarist, & Poet

We had the good fortune of connecting with Todd Hall and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Todd, why did you pursue a creative career?
I hadn’t planned on making a career in the arts. I studied mathematics first, and for years I worked in neuroscience, writing code and building photo-etched microelectrode arrays. But alongside that, I was always studying music, taking lessons in guitar, piano, and voice, and writing songs. By my senior year in college I realized I wanted to pursue creative writing and education so I could become a better lyricist and a better teacher, and that decision pulled me into graduate school.

Music, though, had always been my constant. I grew up surrounded by it — my grandfather, grandmother, mom, dad, sister, and my aunt, who entered piano conservatory at 16, all played and sang. I picked up guitar in the mid-70s, and it’s been with me ever since. Even after an accident that left me with severe nerve damage and restricted movement in my hand, I still managed to relearn how to play. That process showed me that the guitar was not just something I loved, but something I needed — an essential element of my life.

That’s why I chose this path. I don’t play out much anymore because of the injury, but I play every day in my studio, record my own songs, build and repair guitars, and create material for my students. Teaching guitar became the place where everything in my life came together: the discipline of math and science, the love of creative writing and education, and the music that has always been my anchor.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I run Denton Guitar Lessons through my business, Denton Music & Media (DentonMusic.com). I teach guitar and music to students of all ages and levels, and what sets my approach apart is how I blend technique, theory, creativity, and real-world application. My background isn’t just in music — I studied math, neuroscience, and creative writing, and I’ve been building and repairing guitars since the early 80s. All of that comes together in the way I teach.

For me, lessons are not just about learning chords or scales, but about developing a solid foundation that makes playing easier and more enjoyable over a lifetime. I put a strong emphasis on small yet fundamental things like good posture, support fingers, and rest stroke, along with other habits that promote the health and longevity of the player. I want my students to not only play better now but also avoid injuries and limitations later on. I also encourage songwriting and creativity, since music becomes more meaningful when you’re creating something of your own.

My students range from complete beginners to advanced players who want to sharpen their theory, improvisation, or recording skills. Some come for guitar, others for songwriting or general music. I’ve had students who wanted to prepare for auditions, and others who just wanted to play their favorite songs with confidence. What they all share is a love for music, and my goal is to give them tools that last a lifetime.

Running a small music business isn’t always easy, especially since I’ve had to adapt after a hand injury that limited my ability to perform. But that experience has made me a better teacher. I understand how to adapt, how to break things down, and how to help students find their way around obstacles.

Looking ahead, my vision for DentonMusic.com is to make it a hub for local music resources, lessons, and writing about guitars and gear. I’d like Denton Guitar Lessons to be the place people think of first when they want to learn, grow, or connect with the Denton music community.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend came to visit Denton, I’d want them to get a feel for both the creative energy and the little places that make this town unique. I don’t get out as much as I used to — most of my nights are spent teaching — but there are still spots that mean a lot to me.

I’d take them to Yellow Dog Art Bar & Gallery, which has become one of my favorite places for community. The Spoken Word Night and Songwriter’s Guild meetings there are always full of creativity and connection. For food, I love Green Zatar (which longtime Denton folks will remember as the International Food Store).

No trip would be complete without a stop at Recycled Books, Records & CDs on the Square. I practically lived in the music and poetry sections when I was in school, and I still love the feeling of getting lost in there. Around the Square itself, I’d want them to hear some of the buskers, grab ice cream at Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream, and maybe stock up on sweets at Atomic Candy.

And if the timing was right, we’d go to the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival or, my favorite, the Denton Blues Festival. Those events really capture the heart of the community — live music, local talent, and the feeling that this town has always been built around music and art.

The town has grown so much since the late 80s and early 90s, when I was playing out and hanging around downtown. With more people and money here now, Denton can sustain so many great businesses. We even have a Guitar Center these days, though I’d tell a friend to check out Sky Guitars or Little d Guitars first for that true Denton vibe. The scene has changed, but the spirit is the same — music, art, and community around every corner.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There’s no way I’d be where I am without the people who poured music into my life from the beginning. My grandparents, parents, and sister also played and sang and made music a central part of our household, and my stepdad’s friendships with professional musicians gave me a glimpse of what a lifelong pursuit of music looked like. My grandfather’s jazz guitar playing, in particular, inspired me to pick up the guitar myself back in the mid-70s.

I’d also give credit to my teachers at UNT—not only in math, neuroscience, and creative writing, but also in the music classes I took there. And especially to my major professor in poetry, Bruce Bond. Bruce not only guided me as a writer but also inspired me as a musician. He holds a Master’s in Music Performance from the University of Denver, and as a guitarist himself he knew how to work the rhythms, phrasing, and sonorities of music into his poems. Watching him do that gave me permission to let my own love of guitar and songwriting bleed into my writing, and it’s one of the reasons I kept moving forward when the two worlds felt separate.

Most of all, I’m grateful to my immediate family—my wife Sabrina, my son Alex, and my daughter Anjolie—who have allowed me to keep pursuing music even when it hasn’t always paid well. All three of them are artists and musicians themselves, and their love, support, and creativity have given me the freedom to stay true to this path.

I also want to recognize my songwriting pal Johann Wagner. His friendship and creative spirit have pushed me to write more honestly and to stay committed to the craft.

And finally, I owe so much to the guitarists I’ve studied and admired over the years: Django Reinhardt, Jim Hall, Bill Frisell, Emily Remler, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Roy Buchanan, David Gilmour, and so many others. Their music has been a constant source of inspiration and challenge, reminding me that this craft is a lifelong journey. And of course, my students deserve recognition as well. Every lesson with them keeps me learning and growing. Their curiosity, breakthroughs, and struggles have shaped me just as much as I’ve shaped them.

Website: DentonMusic.com

Image Credits
Alex Hall Joseph Leavell Sabrina Hall