Are you self taught?

[McLaughysSN]

I've been playing for 5 years now with no lessons. i took a music theory class in high school but was of no use because the teacher was the band directer and focused more on the bare esentials and standard notation.

is there a site out there that gives good explanations and diagrams of scales? (basically what i need to work on most instead of improving solos until it sounds right)

ill be downloading the music theory ZIP from Gunner (in the vault) when i get home

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Are you self taught?

Nope, I´m unteachable. Even I myself failed miserably :laugh2:

 

[chcjunior]

Re: Are you self taught?

www.wholenote.com

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Are you self taught?

I started college for music and then realized that I didn't want to teach music in school, but be a performer, so I dropped out. I studied guitar for several years with Dennis Sandoli in Philadelphia. I also took regular lessons from Bob Wall and John Sheridan in Philadelphia. I learned basic jazz guitar from these guys: music theory, site reading, ear training, etc. I also studied classical guitar at this time (early - mid teens). In my early - mid twenties, I took master classes from Pat Martino, Tal Farlow, and Arlen Roth. I took a single lesson from Paul Gilbert and got to jam with Greg Howe once, which as instructional (and humbling) an experience as any. Last year I started taking lessons again with Mike Campese.

 

[garublador]

Re: Are you self taught?

When I started out I took some lessons from a local SRV clone (he even wore the hat) but had to stop to take trumpet lessons for my high school jazz band. I learned theory there and am able to sorta apply that to my guitar playing now. Besides those several months of teaching I've been pretty self-taught. It would be nice to get a teacher again somteime so I can actually learn how to play, though.

 

[Hawkman]

Re: Are you self taught?

I took informal lessons from a neighbor when I was about 12 years old. I'd mow his lawn and he'd show me a few chords and scales. That lasted one summer... until the lawn no longer required mowing. Everything I know (or don't know) has been up to me since then. While formal instruction is very helpful to many people, I've enjoyed discovering the instrument on my own. Theory never appealed to me as much as the intuitive "feel" of hearing a few sweet notes or chord juxtapositions. There's a saying that "He who had himself for a teacher had a fool for a master" - so, I may be a fool... but, ignorance is bliss in my case.

 

[kelvin]

Re: Are you self taught?

me = soon 5 years , no lessons ,
but piano lessons that help me to understand theory

 

[take2]

Re: Are you self taught?

I had some informal lessons from a friend early on and was then left to my own devices - I am however now taking lessons after 20 some years playing and wish I had done it sooner - get a teacher you enjoy and respect and it can move your playing to the next level in a hurry - I have to unlearn some bad habits I have taught myself - My advice is to go for the lessons, you'll be glad in the long run - not that there aren't some great self taught players.

 

[JOLLY]

Re: Are you self taught?

I'm self taught on guitar. I went to a summer session at B.I.T. years ago, but I had just turned 21 and was thinking more about partying in Hollywood instead of learning bass.

 

[Joey_Bones]

Re: Are you self taught?

There's only so much you can go on your own, IMO. I've been learning through sites and books on my own for the past 8 years - maybe it's because I'm not very bright, I don't know.

Instruction feels more comfortable and beneficial to my playing.

 

[JALIN]

Re: Are you self taught?

I owe my guitar playing to Guitar World, Guitar Player, Guitar School, etc.......... :laugh2:

 

[ex-250]

Re: Are you self taught?

completely self taught. no lessons, books, etc. no previous mucial background at all really, cant even read music like theyre supposed to teach you in school (i always slept through class).

 

[Guitarist]

Re: Are you self taught?

A couple music theory classes in HS, but other than that - I'm a sunofabitch that can't be taught!

 

[Bludave]

Re: Are you self taught?

I would highly recommend taking lessons. Find a teacher that you can connect with. It is important to communicate what you want to learn as well as the teacher communicating to you what you need to learn. Take lessons twice a month at a minimum. Practice the material you have been taught a minimum of 30 minutes every day between lessons( and play as much as you want). I would also recommend to practice with a metronome. Timing (or the lack of) will ruin good music!!! If you are not prepared to practice than don't waste your money or your time, you won't learn if you won't practice. Practice is NOT sitting in front of the TV with the guitar in your hands, practice is going into a private place and working on the material you have been taught. Sometimes you may feel that you aren't getting your moneys worth, but 6 months from now you will be a better player because of the practice, and the lessons. LOL DS

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Are you self taught?

Had a few lessons in the start, then I just played by ear and jammed with my buddies, and in highschool I learned musictheory, which I mostly have forgotten now.
Then I took lessons from a friend I had back then, he was a fab rhythmplayer, and knew alot of Carlton stuff, then I again played in bands, saw alot of concerts, sucked in music, learned more, and eventually forgot about it all on purpose and just kept playing with a few bumps on the way.
I learn slowly on purpose, I want it to sink in proper....I am very patient in taking in stuff, I can dabble with a few things for a very long time, trying to do it in alot of different ways.
But mostly I just play and play and play and play...man I just love to play my guitar.

 

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Are you self taught?

I do everything by ear, I've been self taught for over 6 years. I have read some of Gunner's stuff and I think it's great.

Anybody seen the April Guitar Player? There's a unique view of the fretboard there with Pat Martino. I'm going to try and grasp that.

I am realizing that theory would be good to know and even better to help compose. I really have limited knowledge of the guitar and it prevents me from showing off in front of people. My solos are all based around the 5 or so blues scales. I need something different.

 

[TwilightOdyssey]

Re: Are you self taught?

There's only so much you can go on your own, IMO. I've been learning through sites and books on my own for the past 8 years - maybe it's because I'm not very bright, I don't know.

Instruction feels more comfortable and beneficial to my playing.

I agree! Who's your guitar teacher?

 

[midnite_man]

Re: Are you self taught?

I got some key pointers from a cousin of mine over 30 years ago, but for the most part am self-taught. I've just always loved music so much, all types, that it created a drive inside me to excel even at the ripe old age of about 9 or 10 years old.
Whether it was bangin' on empty coffee-cans as drums with pencils for drumsticks, or laying down some righteous licks on a ukelele my mom bought with S&H Greenstamps (you older guys will know what I'm talking about), it's always been there.
I think if you have that kind of drive to better yourself, musically or in life generally speaking, and believe in what you're striving for, you can do anything.
But....lessons are definitely good, and if they would have been affordable when I was growing up I would've loved to learn more about theory, how to write music, play the piano, and more. Regardless, I'm a happy guitar player who has practiced his ass off for a long time and feels fairly confident in my ability to play the kind of music I play.

All the best!

-Bob

 

[strat_master]

Re: Are you self taught?

I'm pretty much self taught, i took a few lessons leanred bar chords, and a very little bit of theory from a guy who looked like edge from U2! haha paul was awesome, but he got sick or something and this obnoxious guy tok over so i quit I want to take mroe lessons actually and learn how to do theory and read musical notation, i have a book but its not goign so well I do try to learn as much as i can everynow and then, and my playing has been getting better cause i always practice since i know a few scales. BUt know i cang et better with a good teacher which i might be doing in my free time during the summmer.

 

[Farkus]

Re: Are you self taught?

Self taught...but different strokes for different folks. Honestly, I'd probably be better by now if I'd had a teacher to help me structure my playing...but I've been able to find my own voice this way, too, by learning what I like to hear.

I'm kinna OCD I guess, but I make up my own lessons based on my weaknesses. Like picking exercises that emphasize strokes that I have difficulty with in real life situations. Here's a little tidbit...I find the Guitar Grimoire series by Adam Kadmon to be very helpful. I use that to set up my own exercises...it has all the scales you'll ever use and charts that show you how and where to apply them. Just being a little creative, you can make some killer exercises/licks. Just my 2 cents worth.

Good luck!