John Mayer, Steven Curtis Chapman, Vertical Horizon, Mark Schultz, James Taylor, Jack Johnson, Pierre Bensusan, Alex De Grassi, Big Daddy Weave, MercyMe, Tony McManus, Michael Hedges, Adrian Legg, Phil Keaggy, Dougie MacLean, Don Ross, Keller Williams. David is always listening for new approaches to the acoustic guitar, combined with well-crafted, God-glorifying lyrics.
Neye Benziyor?
David Harsh! Although he has many musical influences, he strives to sound as original as possible.
Where David Performs
David shares his music all over the country. 60% of the venues David serves are churches. Other types of venues that David serves are Christian Schools (10%), Camps (5%), Coffeehouses (5%), Conferences (4%), Festivals (4%), and other venues (12%).
Types of Churches Where David Serves
David will share his music with churches of all Christian denominations (including non-denominational) who believe the Bible to be the inspired word of God, and that Christ is the only way to salvation.
Age Range That David's Music Appeals To
David’s music literally appeals to all ages. Young children are often captivated by the creative versatile presentation that David shares. The older generation appreciates David’s piano and fingerstyle guitar playing. The youth and families are intrigued by David’s creative approach to the guitar. Everyone appreciates David’s heartfelt message of Christ’s love. To say that David’s music is “just for youth” or “just for adults” would not be accurate. His music is enjoyed by people of all ages!
Philosophy of Worship
David believes that to lead worship, the worship leader must help create a space where people can approach God without being distracted. In addition, when he leads worship, David does his best to be peripheral, allowing God to be the focus. He sees performing and worship leading to be two totally different musical offerings.
Does David Teach Private Guitar Lessons?
No. David used to teach private guitar lessons, but because he’s now a full-time performer, he’s not able to make time to do it anymore. He does, however, love to teach. So now, David gives back his knowledge in the form of 6 different seminars (about guitar, songwriting and worship leading) which he teaches at churches and conferences around the country. To learn more about David’s seminars, please click here.
Statement of Faith
“I believe the Holy Bible to be the Inspired Word of God. I believe that by my sinful nature, I cannot have communion with God, but because Jesus Christ died and took my place on the cross, I have been given that opportunity. I believe that it is my calling to share the truths that He has laid on my heart, with as many people as I can. The fact that I am a musician is not central to this…it is just a means of sharing my faith.” – David Harsh
Musical Training
As a vocalist, David was first trained classically in 6 languages, and he spent several years singing opera. He eventually learned to play the acoustic guitar, studying with several very skilled players from around the world. To learn more about David’s academic and musical background, view his resume by clicking here.
Goals
To share God’s truth and love through original, innovative Christian music in full-time ministry, to serve and encourage the body of Christ through a relevant message, and to equip developing Christian guitarists, songwriters, and worship leaders with valuable tools.
This fun song captures David’s entire music ministry in less than 3 minutes, with some clever animations. It summarizes the many different ways that David serves, and it just might make you laugh. Please watch it more than once – you may catch things you didn’t see the first time!
"Four Limbs"
In this song, David plays two guitars at the same time (one with his feet!) It's a song about giving glory to God with all that we have, all that we are, and all that we do.
"Blues for Lazarus"
In this video, David uses a special technique called the "touch style," which involves tapping on the guitar neck with both hands. It's a blues song for Lazarus who, by David's deductive reasoning, had to die twice! What says blues more than that?
"Heart and Soul"
Using only Boomwhackers and Octavators, David utilizes looping technology to play the melody and accompaniment of this classic tune. Watch as the piece unfolds before your very ears.
"Dance With Me"
In this original piano song, David tells the fictitious story of a girl, a wheat field, and a river as the seasons and years go by. It's an allegory meant to inspire us to dance now, because the Lord is with us in this moment.
"Cannon Beach Folk Song"
Several years ago, David worked at a Christian conference center located in Cannon Beach on the Oregon coast. He wrote this comical song and performed it for the campers and families each week of the summer he worked there. Get ready for something different!
"David sings Opera at the wrong conference"
Watch as David goes onstage in front of 2000 people during the 2008 Northwest Ministry Conference and takes the audience by surprise as he sings part of Leoncavallo’s “Pagliacci” Prologue before he taps all over his guitar.
David Harsh is a unique Christian artist. He strives to create excellent, innovative music that carries a strong message of Christ's love. He does things with a guitar that few have attempted, including playing 2 guitars at the same time (one with his hands, and one with his feet.) He's always exploring exciting ways of broadening his sound, while remaining focused on sharing his faith through music.
He was first trained classically as an opera singer, and while that was a strong foundation for his musical development, he later chose to pursue a more down-to-earth way of sharing his faith. He began playing the acoustic guitar sophomore year in college, and practiced hard. He took several years of private lessons, and sought out masterclasses and guitar seminars with some of the best players in the world.
David continues to develop his sound, utilizing tools and techniques that appeal to all ages. He enjoys using looping technology, but only on some songs. He likes to experiment with alternate tunings, two-hand tapping, fingerstyle, and much more.
In addition to a full-time performing career, David enjoys serving churches by teaching seminars ranging from guitar to songwriting, to worship leading.
Not only am i your 150th comment and your second friend on my space.. but i was you first comment toooooo.. !!! wow if that is not stalking i don't know what is.. :-)
Great show last night. God never fails to show up.
ps maybe you can be in one of my crazy myspace pictures?!?!?!
Harsh, I figured out your first gig ever. I've been watching the land of the lost reruns and you know the theme song... with the banjo... It was so you!!!
Thank you bunches for the advice. Now to only find my capo! I will do my best. I figured out how to play the song in the key of F though, and I can sing along to it as well. But I will be sure to try to the 1/2 step tuning.
I have been DYING for you to add "unknown" to your play list so that I cold add it to my profile. It is a truly amazing song that has inspired me. I am devoting myself to learning it by ear if I have to, down to the last note. I even spent the last two hours frantically writing down the lyrics and getting them perfect.
I don't have the money to get one of your CDs, but I do have a guitar and a computer and I want to share this song with as many people as I possibly can. So as to spread the word about you and the message that this song carries. Thank you so much, you have really inspired me as a musician, a fellow guitarist, and a christian. I will never forget this song.
Thanks buddy. It was great to see you at the church. Definentely one of the highlights of the year for me. Thanks for all the encouriging words. It's always nice to feel appreciated for something I take so patinentely. Have a great day and well see ya very soon.
thanks for adding me as a friend. you were such a blessing at our church in grants pass. i hope that they have you come back i know that i really enjoyed it.
hey david! I cant wait til the 21st when you're playing in Anacortes again! You're music is so inspirational! :D I hope that you can play at the St. Mary's Festival in the summertime..that would be great! Will you have any merch to sell on the 21st?
Many Blessings to you and your family! I would love to hear some of your music/songs on a WOW cd. Thank you for all the emotions your music and words bring to me.
hey just wanted to drop by and say u were awesome----- last sunday at west seattle christian. u are one of the best performers i have seen in my life keep livin the dream god bless u i hope to see u again u are amazing
No problem Bro... you are a true Christian Musician and thats what this world needs... i was amazed at the amount of talent you show with such little effort! look forward to seeing you again! -Koty-
Dave, Time is flying as usual. Thanks for your encouragement and mentorship with my first album. It's definitely been a labor of love. It is so cool to see God using it - all glory to Him. I'll continue to keep you, the album, and ministry in prayer. It's exciting to see how God is using you and your family. Keep in touch. Blessings Brother, Rich
so like i really think i love your music. And beacuse i love your music and beacuse i am a senior this year you should come back to seattle christian so i can watch you again.
Hi David...I added one of your songs again to my profile....Satisfied...What a great song of encouragment! Please come visit us again in San Diego soon!!
hey david! my pleasure for adding you, it was such a blessing to serve with you, sir. I've been taking my iPod to church letting my youth group members listen to your awesome songs, and they were jealous that they couldn't see you when you were in olympia..haha I can't wait until I can see you again. since I'm heading up to UW in the fall, I'd love to make your november 23rd show at West Seattle Christian Church. hopefully see you there. =) God Bless!
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