Given that David grew up in a musical environment, it was appropriate that he took to the guitar. Many weekends at the Paton household were spent with friends and family taking turns singing and David's guitar playing was a welcome addition. Favorites at the Paton household included Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones tunes. Being surrounded by so many good singers, he never had the nerve to sing for them, but he had no worries about playing the guitar.

He did sing once. David remembers: "My sister and I used to find it funny that our family would sing without accompaniment. When I was very young I remember singing A Four Legged Friend for them. I was so shy that the only way they could get me to sing was standing in a cupboard with the door closed. I bet they were all having a good laugh outside the door."