Music Lessons vs. Self-Taught - Guitars101

npminard · 12-21-2005, 12:05 PM

Was wondering what everyone's thoughts on this are. Do you guys think that some amount of lessons are needed and what feelings do you guys have on musicians with music degrees from a university (formal training, reads sheet music, etc.) vs. little-known guitarists who have all the chops but lack the formal training. Just curious

**Riff Addict** · 12-21-2005, 12:11 PM

I've always been self taught. I play more by ear than anything. I took lessons for a couple weeks 15 years ago and the teacher wasn't teaching me anything I couldn't sit home and figure out on my own so I stopped. I have no patience whatsoever for learning theory and memorizing a million chords. I just enjoy playing rock and metal covers by ear and just coming up with original stuff off top of my head.

Not much I can't figure out by just listening to it. I may not be able to duplicate style or speed but I do the best I can and for most cover band musician's, thats good enough.

cormack · 12-21-2005, 03:42 PM

well my dad can play incredibly fast and knows alot of weird cool chords, and has alot of songs.. without knowing anything about music... although he did quit for 20 years

metalnick · 12-21-2005, 07:34 PM

Honestly, I do not care, so long as the dude/ette in question makes it sound good.

Rythameen · 12-21-2005, 07:58 PM

I've always been an ear player, just figuring out things, lessons couldn't hurt I suppose, but the best learning experience for me was playing in a band for 10 years..................makes you get better. So I guess what I am saying is jam and play with other people, that's the best way.

AllenElgin · 12-22-2005, 02:37 AM

When I started playing guitar, I just picked it up and went for it. But looking back, there were a lot of things about playing guitar I ended up just stumbling upon that would have been very helpful to know during my first year playing. I might be better today if I had taken lessons in the beginning. But it's always been my extreme independence that continues to get in my way of seeking outside help. But now with the internet what it is today, I've picked up on a lot that I didn't know just by reading and studying on the net.

If I had to do it all over again, I'd have done it just the same, with the exception being I would have purchased a college textbook on music theory during my first year. Every time I study music theory, I grow more musically which has always been important to me.

P.J. · 12-22-2005, 03:28 AM

I think you should take some lessons - but only until you feel your not learning much anymore.

But you can only learn so much from a teacher. And real world experience in a band is one great place to learn about the guitar and a lot of other important things about the music biz.

There are some people, even some people around here at this website, who proudly wear their self taught button upon their glittery sequin shirts - like it's some badge of honor or something. To me it's not. It's weak man. Because the more you know about music, the more you can play.

Why limit yourself? Taking lessons can only help you.

evilpenguin · 12-22-2005, 06:13 AM

Amen to that, Pee Jay!

In my opinion you can always learn more whether it's about theory, technique, learning other instruments, learning composition etc. To think that you can't learn anything from other people is just arrogant.

npminard · 12-22-2005, 09:19 AM

Thanks for everyone's insight. I've been taking lessons for about 8-9 months and I feel I've made progress. I was mainly asking b/c I was thinking about going to college for music i.e. Jazz or Classical guitar, but I doubt they have a "101" course b/c they require an audition. Which leads me to think if I want to do that, I should take some more private lessons in either of those styles and then try to audition in a year or so.

P.J. · 12-22-2005, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by npminard

Thanks for everyone's insight. I've been taking lessons for about 8-9 months and I feel I've made progress. I was mainly asking b/c I was thinking about going to college for music i.e. Jazz or Classical guitar, but I doubt they have a "101" course b/c they require an audition. Which leads me to think if I want to do that, I should take some more private lessons in either of those styles and then try to audition in a year or so.

That might be a good idea. .

MusicIsNeat · 12-22-2005, 07:34 PM

Both of them are different but useful methods that can be used in conjunction with eachother. I always found that lessons gave me material to work with on my own, so it enchanced my self-taught part as well. And I also found that some of the things I learned in theory classes was a confirmation and/or expansion on some of some things that I already had taught myself.

Lessons can improve your technique, improve your sight reading skills, make you learn tunes, and gives you an outside perspective. Exploring on your own improves your creativity, helps you find your own voice, works as self-inspiration, and encourages composition. Overall, the exploring on your part is what makes people get technically better as musicians over time. Music theory can give you a foundation to work with, gives you an idea of tradition, improves your composition skills, improves your music reading skills, and instills a certain sense of discipline. So I view them both as complementary methods.

kmanick · 12-22-2005, 08:32 PM

I think a combination of both is vital. Learning theory will open up many ideas and learning stuff on your own sharpens your ear, and lets you develop a style of your own.
I've done both, still do both, but at this point in my life, lessons now would be for something very specific.
I've found the most important thing is just always playing with people who are better than me. I always see different ways to do things or different approaches that make me open my way of thinking.

RHOADSFREAK · 12-23-2005, 12:30 PM

I try to do things myself and learn things by trial and error or listening to great players. But now and then I'll take a lesson from a blues guitarist or some jazz lessons to help me get out of a rut. By rut I mean when I'm not feeling very creative or I feel my playing has become stale or isn't progressing. Although I am a bona fide metal head it is always rewarding to study otehr types of music and styles and to learn the instrument as a whole.

ziggysmalls · 12-28-2005, 07:34 AM

I am self taught on guitar but believe that you should have lessons if you want to get the most out of guitar. The reason is because I used to play trumpet and took lesson for about 5 years. It vastly improved my playing with that instrument.

I think saying it hampers you is being ignorant. Anytime you can get formal training in anything you do, painting, golf, home improvement, singing, Microsoft Office products, etc, you are better off.

Guitar is not some mystical instrument where the rules don't apply.