Are you self taught?

Re: Are you self taught?

Lessons for years, then collage for music. Learning can never hurt you.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

I'm pretty much self taught....had about a year of classical/jazz/fingerstyle lessons in high school but pretty much had to stumble around on my own up till that point.....when I finally started playing in bands by 15 I learned quickly.....my belief is that if you can afford lessons from a GOOD and qualified teacher you can relate to then you shuld do it...and mayeb you'll learn in one year what it's taken many of us any number of years to work out on our own THE HARD WAY
 
Re: Are you self taught?

I'm super schooled. :) I have a Bachelor's in Classical Guitar and I'm a Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Jazz Guitar program at USC. Great teachers can give you the keys to the world(See Joe Diorio). That said, I was largely self taught through high school. I came into college with my own take on a lot of things, and in a lot of ways it seperates me from the pack because I have some unorthodox approaches to certain things.

I think everyone has to find thier own way, and for some, teachers can offer so much, but there are many great players who just learned everything they needed to know from records. A big time player once told me everything you need to know is already in your living room(CD collection).

Mike
 
Re: Are you self taught?

For the most part. I started playing piano by ear about the same time I started talking, but later on I took lessons for a couple of years. I started playing guitar by ear when I was 10 or 11. When my piano teacher heard me play guitar I started playing in her son's band and focused on the guitar after that. I quit the piano lessons soon after. I did take 3 or 4 jazz lessons in between gigs in late '74, but that's it. I regret giving up the piano, that was a big mistake.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

100% teacher taught!

a couple of years back(when Mars was around) i took lessons from this guy named Jose. he was a really good flamenco guitarist, after about 2 years with him he basically traded me over to one of the other teachers there(who i now have at this time) name Doug Datwyler. Jose said that he taught me all that i could've been taught wihtin his electric guitar range(i was stupid, i could've gotten really good classical keys from him), and the first time i saw Doug play i was like :bigeyes: this guy is amazing! I, myself, would defintitely put him up there with the likes of eric johnson, larry carlton, greg howe. So, basically, im 100% teacher taught, which im glad i am, because it helps you progress faster. one of my friends(who is also a guitarist) hs been playing for about 10 years or so, and me and him are about the same, the only difference is that i know theory and he doesn't.
lessons definitely help.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

Kind of half and half. Of the 3 years I've been playing, I taught myself how to play for 1 year and have been taking lessons on a weekly basis for the past 2 years. My playing improved dramatically when I started the lessons. I practice the stuff my teacher gives me in addition to my own material and that of my fave bands. I confess that I spend more time on my stuff and the stuff I find online than I should on the stuff he gives me.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

Some of both. I "majored" in music in high school so I learned all about theory that way. I took one course in college, Guitar I. Aced it, it really was beneath me.:rolleyes:

Aside from that, I learned myself. No actual private lessons.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

i like to be self taught, not like vai who studied music at berkley, i'm still teaching myself (and i'll never stop). not that i don't like vai, but i would'nt want to go as far as learing standard notation as well as he did, although i do know some, playing guitar should not really be as serious as he makes it. not for me anyway, i just like to have fun.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

I'm a student of music and recording technology. But for the first 3 years of playing I was self-taught, and I didn't learn ****. It's the truth. I have a real hard time with theory. I'm just real bad with math. I'm not sure why it's so hard for me to understand theory. I've had two different classical guitar teachers over the past 2 years, and I haven't been able to pick up too much useful information, as least the usage and applications and scales and such. I might seek out a private teacher somewhere, I think the biggest problem is finding a good teacher around here, and the 2nd is being able to afford it. I'm a full time student and I don't make any money at my job, barely enough to get the bills paid and that's it.

With all that said, I'm not bad at all at guitar. Pretty good actually, there are just a lot of things I don't understand still that I would like to.

I was looking at Berkley in Boston, I'm not sure if the amount of debt it would put me in would be worth it. If I went to a music school or conservatory I don't think I could commit to the 8-hour a day practice schedule that most demand.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

Xeromus said:
I think the biggest problem is finding a good teacher around here, and the 2nd is being able to afford it. I'm a full time student and I don't make any money at my job, barely enough to get the bills paid and that's it.

I was looking at Berkley in Boston, I'm not sure if the amount of debt it would put me in would be worth it. If I went to a music school or conservatory I don't think I could commit to the 8-hour a day practice schedule that most demand.

You're right; finding the right teacher is everything. The right teacher can teach you theory in a way you will understand it. I know that I couldn't undertand theory on my own w/out good instructors, and I STINK at math!

I have a couple of friends that went to Berklee, and regardless of whether you study @ a conservatory or a method with an instructor, as I did, a serious teacher will require you to practice at least 4-6 hrs/day, depending on your goals.
 
Re: Are you self taught?

Even though I've done/am doing the conservatory thing, it certainly isn't necessary to be be a professional guitarist. I think it is about having sources for the information you need, and a mentor can have a huge impact on your progress. If someone is really serious about learning, but doesn't think school is the place, just find the best teacher you can find. If you're in a big town there are probably some amazing players, and hopefully one of them can teach.

The part that can't be replaced, however, is time in the shed. To reach the top levels of playing you have to have a regular practice routine. Some need 8 hours a day, some need 2(I need more than I'm getting lately), but regular practice is paramount. It is also extremely important to practice the right way. This is something teachers can really help you learn how to do. Once you learn how to learn, you can get soooo much done without any assistance, particularly with all of the amazing books on the market.

Obviously this applies more to players who want to play really sophisticated music(jazz, classical, prog rock/shred)or to guys who want to do session playing/sideman work. If your goals are more pop/rock oriented then its way more about songwriting than being the baddest mofo the guitar ever saw...

I don't know if this is the place for it, but I, and I'm sure others on this board, would be more than happy to take a shot at explaining whatever theory issues might be mysteries to some of you.

Mike
 
Re: Are you self taught?

I took bass lessons for a while, untill the teacher and myself had a falling out. Basically, he was tellling me what music to play, and was unwilling to teach me the styles and music that i wanted to play. He was a Classical/Jazz/Funk guy with special emphisis on the funk, and i'm a blues/rock guy. He also refused to teach me to play with a pick. So, as a result, i'm mostly self taught... I still suck at slap and pop too.
 
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