Lessons Vs Self taught

[davros]

whats you guys opinions on lessons Vs Self taught?
Theres certainly a ton of resources to help teach yourself (about a million times more than when I first picked up a geetar) but still is that as good as having a one to one with a good teacher?
Ive got a bunch of DVDs with the likes of Danny Gill. Jamie Humphries ect who are all phenomenal but again even as good as they are would you be better with a real dude who can watch you, hear / see where you are screwing up?

Im considering taking some lessons due to the lack of progress. Ive basically been at the same level for years..... and not a very great level at that!

[joebaxi2]

http://www.justinguitar.com/

this guy talks to you !!! hes quite good at putting it over as well , i really cant rate him highly enough , hes put dorian mode over to my brainless nut fairly easy ,, ya dont have think 6&9 . just a couple of extra notes in each position , hey presto thicko to inteligent
pronto ! well nearly

[Rob]

i took lessons then used dvd's got more from the dvd's to be honest

[ZappaFan]

Self taught here, but I am convinced that I would have been lot better than I am should I have had lessons when I was younger. Due to the shortage of steam powered broadband back then the internet wasnt available. I am sure a lot of the stuff a guitar tutor could teach you can be learned off the net these days. However the one thing it cant teach you is feel, which another player can give you an insight into, also jamming with another musician is a great learning tool too.

[wahwah]

Teaching guitar is my living so better be careful what I say! I'm self-taught but took a long time to get stuff in my head. I'm sure I'd be better if I had more theory onboard. I try to do the stuff that appeals to a 15 year old rather than forcefeeding stuff they ain't interested in...like blues at that age. However, they get a hell of a shock when I show them a Zakk Wylde solo that's made up entirely of the so-called 'blues' scale.

Lessons aren't for everybody but I feel you get better quicker and have an hour where you can really dig in and make a lot of noise without the interference of family...at least you can if you come here for lessons. :)

[ZappaFan]

Teaching guitar is my living so better be careful what I say! I'm self-taught but took a long time to get stuff in my head. I'm sure I'd be better if I had more theory onboard. I try to do the stuff that appeals to a 15 year old rather than forcefeeding stuff they ain't interested in...like blues at that age. However, they get a hell of a shock when I show them a Zakk Wylde solo that's made up entirely of the so-called 'blues' scale.

Lessons aren't for everybody but I feel you get better quicker and have an hour where you can really dig in and make a lot of noise without the interference of family...at least you can if you come here for lessons. :)

I'll get me coat :-)

[Lyle]

human contact outwith the home is required

That's me screwed then...

[Danny Danzi]

I think lessons are over-rated to be honest. The reason I say that is because there are so many un-qualified teachers out there that do it for the money and do not teach properly. A guy like wah wah would be an excellent teacher because the dude is not just a good player, he's an awesome human being. You need that in a teacher. One that can get into your head. The head work is just as important as learning licks and theory.

I'm self taught, but did manage to pick up a few lessons here and there. One of my teachers was incredible, but VERY hard nosed. He would call me names and blow smoke rings in my face when I messed up. LOL! He was brutal, scary looking and intimidating. He fired students on a regular basis when they didn't deliver the goods. Though he scared me and intimidated me all the time, it made me push harder. One day, he looked really sad when I went to lessons.

He never looked sad...always up-beat, mean and nasty. LOL! Little did I know, all along I won over his heart and he wasn't so mean and nasty after all. He told me there was nothing more he could show me and he knew this because the past month I'd come to lessons showing him what he had taught me, and then I'd be showing him new stuff. The student was now teaching the teacher. I'll never forget how sad I was when he went up to my mom and said "Mrs Danzi, I have nothing more to show Danny. As a matter of fact, I'm coming to your house on Saturday afternoon so he can show me some stuff."

It was inspirational to hear that, but it was still sad. Part of my challenge in playing was to out-do this teacher anytime I could. From there, I became a teacher myself and have incorporated quite a few of his methods. I don't blow smoke rings in peoples faces, but I do have a 3 strike rule and have fired several students for wasting my time. I now only deal with advanced students that have a clue, know all their notes and chords and can play what I tell them simply by calling things out.

But, to be honest, I learned just as much without a teacher as I did with a teacher. A teacher can tell you the mistakes you are making at an early stage to where you can fix them before they become hard habits to break. The right teacher will show you what you want to learn as well as fine tune what you already know. He should watch your ever move, note, personality and be a force you respect. You need to earn his respect and he should be able to teach you something, and then show you multiple ways to use it.

For example, I had a teacher one time that knew all the theory in the world. He would show me these scales and modes and all this other crap and would not show me how to use the stuff. It's like learning how to spell huge words but not use them in a sentence correctly to be honest. No one needs that. This dude couldn't even play lead well at all. He was a horrible lead player, but was a great chords man and knew his theory. This to me is not a good teacher and you need to watch out for guys like this.

If I show one of my students something, rest assured I will show them a few examples of how they can use what they just learned. I also like to keep their morale up high. To maintain this, I give them something hard and challenging as well as something easy and fun. This stops them from being too challenged. Too much of the hard stuff can really turn a person off. Everything in moderation I say...but you can't just go with any teacher. You need to research and find out what teacher may be right for you or you are really just wasting your time and your money.

Sites like www.wholenote.com (http://www.wholenote.com) are incredible for learning because they offer all their lessons with midi that you can slow down as well as tabs provided. Check that site out sometime...it's free, just sign up and enjoy. So in closing, I think you should use a bit of both methods. Teach yourself what you can, and search for a teacher that will meet your personal needs and requirements. Then you just combine the 2 and you should be in good shape. Best of luck!

[Rick]

if i would have met other players i would have picked stuff up much quicker
i'm almost 10 years in and its been a chore i've had to do everything kicking and beating.

lessons early doors would have worked so well for me

[Rick]

stew you will never hit paul rose standard as long as you have a hole in ur butt
me neither and i wouldn't pretend other wise.

i feel once you hit a certain level where you can can finally figure out what may be happening then you have a chance of being a decent guitarist.

as in so many walks of life some people can do things better than other people for whatever reason it might be.

i've met players who have been playing for 2 or 3 years that make us both look like wankers.
Eventually we might catch up to that standard, but probably a lot quicker if we had early guideance

[bigdoug]

well it seems its horses for courses by the look of these answers, i think getting a lesson or two cant hurt and will make the self taught thing a bit easier/quicker too.

[ZappaFan]

I dont think that was what Rick said.

I read it that he meant that watching Paul wouldnt really be that condusive to learning, he's just far too good to follow and even make sense of most of it.For some it's just like shelling peas for the rest of us it's like trying to climb Everest every day

[Rick]

don't take it badly stew it wasn't meant to be bad, i think when we have reached the level we both have we such have realised we are not going to be paul roses or danny danzi's but we just have to be the best we are for ourselves and lessons or otherwise at this stage wouldn't help.

zapp really did sum it up!

playing guitar is as easy as breathing or as hard as climbing everest watching paul rose wouldn't make me better now or more inspired.

[Rick]

hmm deleted posts!

[Tony4552]

I am completely self taught, I knew very minimal theory from my piano lessons at school. I found reading all the guitar magazines and going to the library getting books on scales and modes, and learning them all. I went to one teacher when I was about 17 and all he wanted to do was too teach me how too play fast. I didnt want that at the time, so I quit there, then I went too another teacher who showed me how too sight read and use my ear but that ended cause I slipped his daughter the length, which was a shame as he was a good teacher lol.

[Highway Star]

hmm deleted posts!

Hmmm.... not surprised!

Farl

[Highway Star]

Well... I'm self taught but there are loads of things I have no idea about! LOL Oh... I had three lessons last year and they were pretty useless!

To be honest I've learnt most of my stuff since being on this and other forums. The net gives great video lessons!

Farl

[Rick]

Hmmm.... not surprised!

Farl

shocking though how the truth can be painfull

[Guitarpima]

It all boils down to this, you get out of it what you put in.

I think lessons are good at the beginning mostly for not developing bad habits. How you hold the guitar, your hands and other aspects are equally as important as learning the notes and music.

A good regiment to use for practicing. 1/4 time-techinique. 1/4 time-something new. 1/2 time-have fun. If it feels like work, then stop. That's the funny thing about music really. You want to have fun. For professionals it's a double edge sword. It is work. The problem though is making the work fun and keeping it fun.

So, keep it fun.

[Rob]

I know this for a fact, a practice regime works along with a metronome. I keep saying to myself get a notebook get something down on paper and practice something every day just for 1/2 hour, but I have yet to do it. I just noodle of a weekend mostly saturday. I think if I get my own music room it will happen, I know I can get better I know I can be a competent guitarist, if I didn't think that I would pack in tomorrow.

[Highway Star]

shocking though how the truth can be painfull

Well, personally (and without wanting to start anything) I thought your post was ill judged and insensitive. Read it back later...

I see no need to try to dish out pain.

That'll be my one and only comment though. It's just my opinion.

Farl

[Rick]

how could it be when i included myself in that, do you honestly think that after the time we have been playing watching paul rose or frankly anybody else we will come out and be instant hero's

what a load of bollocks!
we will keep on bashing away and getting on with.

[Lyle]

shocking though how the truth can be painfull

It doesn't have to be. It's all in the way it's said..........

[Rick]

i know i for one will never reach the standard that paul or danny or a good few others on here have and i'm under no illusion.

[wahwah]

Thanks for the comments Danny!!! I agree with the point about not picking up bad habits by having lessons but then I look at someone like Doug Aldrich who has the most unusual style where he seems to barre with his index finger and then run riot with his 2nd and 3rd finger...his little finger barely ventures out but when it does, he's awesome with it. I would say that was HIS bad habit which has become his style BUT most of the time it's about seeing why things are going wrong and showing students how to put them right. That's when it's rewarding seeing it come thru eventually.

[Rick]

It doesn't have to be. It's all in the way it's said..........


yes lyle and i said it how it is!
as i always do!


i'll never be a patch on your playing for example so i won't pretend i can be!

[Stempy]

In my dreams I'm Angus Young, in reality I'm too tall. I think to be a great guitarist you have to be a short son of a bitch. :lol:

I have taken lessons and got a lot out of them, but mainly through the enjoyment of jamming along with someone who is much better than me and then being shown how to do the things that they can do but I can't. The only logjam then is whether I put in enough time to practise. Theory you can learn from books, but having someone show you a technique and then helping you master it your self is priceless.

The difference between me, Rick any anyone else who considers themselves merely average is the hunger. You have to want it so bad you are prepared to sacrifice most else in life in pursuit of your goal. Guys like Paul Rose have dedicated almost all their waking life to the guitar so it's no wonder they are a bit good. And they deserve to be. Sure, they may have had some lucky breaks and may have an element of natural talent, but in the end, you only get out what you put in.

[rubberducke101]

hmm this is very apt for my situation at the moment!!!

i think i've hit a wall and now i do want to get lessons to help me get that extra push and help me learn more!!!

I think both are fine an different people go different ways.

[joebaxi2]

i think we should all have a day busking !! whoever lands the most shrapnel in the hat is the best player on this forum ,, official .

but ill probs get mine robbed in penrith !!

[davros]

but that ended cause I slipped his daughter the length, which was a shame as he was a good teacher lol.
'kin hell tony!! that line is classic!! LMAO!!

awesome replies to this, thanks guys. I'll be checkin out all the links that have been posted for sure.
Sometimes I seem to lack the ability or brains to take info from dvds and do something with it. I can actually identify with what danny said about "learning how to spell huge words but not use them in a sentence". I have the Jaimie Humphries complete guitar dvd and spent ages running through all the scale patterns, bored myself to near death in the process TBH but still couldnt do jack with them, then just managed to confuse myself with the whole process!
I do tend to play things on guitar instead of 'practising' if that makes sense. maybe stay in my comfort zone a bit too much.

very interesting replies indeed.

just a small aside....

Teaching guitar is my living so better be careful what I say!
you played (and still play) in blackrose! full respect buddy. me and my mates used to listen to some of your tunes back in the day. Back when we thought we were the kings of sleaze!!
also you look like the man to bug when I get stuck trying to play songs from the demi god that is Alice cooper!

[Highway Star]

i think we should all have a day busking !! whoever lands the most shrapnel in the hat is the best player on this forum ,, official .

but ill probs get mine robbed in penrith !!

Joebaxi!! How you doing Matey!!

Farl

[wahwah]

just a small aside....

you played (and still play) in blackrose! full respect buddy. me and my mates used to listen to some of your tunes back in the day. Back when we thought we were the kings of sleaze!!
also you look like the man to bug when I get stuck trying to play songs from the demi god that is Alice cooper!

Suprised anyone remembers that stuff from way back!!! Did you used to hang out at the Cathouse in Glasgow???

No worries with any problem solving stuff...and having had to learn 27 Alice Cooper songs on guitar AND keys in 6 days, I feel obliged to give you my full authority of Alice Cooper riffs...if I can remember the f%&*ers!! :)

[mullyman]

I agree with whoever said "you get out what you put in". To use someone we all know as a good example, Paul Gilbert. Paul admittedly spent his youth locked in a room playing endless hours upon hours. EVH has said the same thing, as has Steve Vai......with his 10 hour workouts etc... I don't think you can attain that level without doing something along those lines.

As for the topic at hand, I think a balance between taking lessons and working on things yourself is the key for us regular Joe's. I know I need lessons, I just don't know what I need.....and I think that's where the teacher can help me.
MULLY

[Rick]

Read it back later...




ok i've read it back and it seems to say that as we have got to the stage we are lessons wouldn't help us, put rather insenitively of course but truthfully all the same and i stand by what i say.

If i took lessons now all that would happen is somebody would show me a bunch of licks which i could probably figure out myself and keep the cash in my pocket.

what would be a better way is to go and play with other players at jams or whatever you feed off them, they feed off you.

[wahwah]

Good idea but I don't think you pick up too much at a jam. As someone who has been the 'jam' guitarist at countless jams in my area, people are thinking more of what they are going to play, not what the other guy is. If you DID catch what he was doing and then play it back, that would work for a short while as a call and answer type of thing but mainly the idea of a jam is to hear people's takes on things. The best time for new things is one-on-one or by yourself. I can NEVER stress enough how important it is to slow things right down and sort of affirm what you are doing with your fingers to your eyes and your brain. If there's a part of a song you can't do, don't just play the song over and over cos you'll just keep doing the bit you can't do wrong. Pull it out and practise it slowly and then put it back. You don't pull the engine out of a car if you have a flat tyre. Same applies...nail the bit slowly and it'll fit. Buddha will now rest behind tiny grasshopper.

[ZappaFan]

We run a 'Jam Night' and my missus's pub. It works as a great way for people to get together and play on stage and I do indeed agree with Chris that it's not a great learning tool in that sense. The one benefit though is that we don't normally get going with the on-stage part until about 9PM on the night. Lots of people turn up way earlier tho and can be seen getting together in huddles in various corners, helping each other out, discussing what to play, passing on tips about playing and all aspects of guitaring. It has proved very successful as a jam night and I am amazed how some people have come on since attending and mixing with other musicians. We have a great crowd and everyone is always prepared to help out the new players. Playing at home is okay for some, indeed I dont really do anything else, but the amount you can learn about technique, tone etc and how it fits into a band and ultimately an overall production is priceless. We had number of guitarists that used to come along and play but could only ever seem to hear what they were playing. The band playing with them may well have not existed as far as they were aware. To see them progress over time has been a great thing to see. They are now more confident with their playing and now listen to the rest of the band and make their guitars fit. For e ethat's something that cant be taught but has to be acquired through playing with other musiciians. There is definitely a place for all of the methods discussed, tutors, internet, jams etc. It's down to the individual at the end of the day to pull all those together and make the best of them.

[ZappaFan]

Just as an extra thing to that. I have this issue with the fact that lots seem to think that playing guitar is all about being able to emulate someone. Like a 'learn by numbers' thing. Take a tab, take a backing track and then play along note for note. Whilst this may be good for certain aspects of playing, ie' dexterity and technique exercises. It doesnt really allow the person to expand on their actual ability as a musician in their own right.

I would much rather see someone shown some scales and small licks and then get them to put that into a musical context that they can make their own. It will make them more creative in their playing and get them to learn the freedom to play that the tabs and learn by numbers doesn't.

[wahwah]

Good points. What I meant was it's not the best way to learn scales etc. Licks? Great...and this is where you mentioned the bit about copying guitarists. I play a lick the Jimmy Page, Gary Moore, EVH and Warren Haynes (among others) do and have no idea whether Page nicked it from Albert King or whoever BUT it's inherant in so many songs. Something I haven't mentioned is the Rock School Grade books which I use. They are a great way of learning technique on your own and with a teacher. Check out www.rockschool.co.uk and see what I mean. Loads of different styles.

[bigdoug]

After years of bedroom playing on my own (no smart comments required thank you) I went along with a friend to a folk club and although I never played any folk music in my puff, I really enjoyed it. Some of the guitar players were very good and had a great ability to play along with anything. I found playing with others in that enviroment was a real turning point for me and it gave me the boost to go learn more. I would recommend you get out and find a open mic/jam night or even a folk club night and have a go.

[davros]

Ive found that playing with other guys, better guys, tends to intimidate me a bit but I suppose you get use to it. I think its gonna be worth trying out some lessons tbh. If I manage to get a decent tutor which will be the key. surely wont make me any worse so maybe just worth a shot.


Suprised anyone remembers that stuff from way back!!! Did you used to hang out at the Cathouse in Glasgow???

No worries with any problem solving stuff...and having had to learn 27 Alice Cooper songs on guitar AND keys in 6 days, I feel obliged to give you my full authority of Alice Cooper riffs...if I can remember the f%&*ers!! :)
I was no stranger to the cathouse in glasgow as it happens! My band even played there once which was about the coolest gig I ever done. fond memories indeed.
27 coop songs in 6 days?!? thats impressive. I can play 3....... and Ive been listening to him for over 20 years!!

[Six]

There's nothing a guitar tutor can teach you that you can't learn by yourself eventually, but a good tutor will speed the process up. I get students coming to me saying things like "I've been learning a song from a video on YouTube but I'm struggling with it, can you help?".
The first thing I do is ask him to play it for me. I then make a mental note of every aspect of how he played it, which is often full of fundamental errors. I'll then have him position his left hand differently, or alter the position of his thumb in relation to the neck, or select different fingers for certain notes, or begin a passage with an upstroke instead of a downstroke. It all depends on the errors being made.
Within a few minutes the student will usually find the piece easier to play than when he arrived for the lesson.

DVD's are a great learning tool but the guy on the screen can never jump through and correct any mistakes you're making.

TAB (books or internet) is usually inaccurate at best.

[wahwah]

'Halo Of Flies' was always me fave cos you could hear whee bands like Maiden had heard it and thought 'we'll have some of that'! Alike Cooper was great fun but hard work. The bass player is now in Zodiac Mindwarp and the sometime guitarist is with Lauren Harris (Steve's daughter)

[wahwah]

Sorry, I've gone off-topic! :(

[wahwah]

TAB (books or internet) is usually inaccurate at best.

Bad tabs have a lot to answer for. Only the guitarist who wrote it is going to get it 100% right and then you are trying to play it like him/her whilst forgetting they may be using their own bad habits thru years of playing.

[Six]

Bad tabs have a lot to answer for. Only the guitarist who wrote it is going to get it 100% right and then you are trying to play it like him/her whilst forgetting they may be using their own bad habits thru years of playing.

Absolutely.

Learning a tune by ear is the best way. You get to put your own slant on it and develop your ear at the same time.

[Rob]

Have to say the 'jam with' series of TAB and CD of BT's are good by total accuracy but I have now moved onto DVD's from Lick Library if I wan't to learn a style or set of songs.

[EpiGib_23]

I've been self taught upto now...i still have a LOT to learn! I can't solo as i don't know scales, and at present i cant do barr chords as i dont have the muscle build up in my fingers to put the right kind of pressure across the fret.

I would benefit greatly from lessons i think, as i would be given professional guidance. At the moment, i rely on chord cards, dvd's and just watching people on Youtube showing you how to play stuff. I also jam with a couple of mates but like me...they don't know everything. I deffo need lessons, and when i can afford them and have the time...i will get them.

[bloodandtears]

learning the some basic scales and theory will help with fretboard confidence.. all the pros know there way around the neck without thinking about it.. thats why they can play what they hear in their heads...

I never had a lesson, I jammed with my uncle for a few months in the beginning, but then i started to cover metallica, van halen and maiden from tab books, soon i had an ear for rock/blues and started gigging in covers bands..

it has to be said though jamming with others who are slightly more experienced players than yourself works a treat...

[Rick]

it has to be said though jamming with others who are slightly more experienced players than yourself works a treat...


well lets put it this way it makes you certain that you are nowhere near as good as you perceive yourself to be.

i love playing with other guitarists around, even more so when they are really good.
It can be a totally frightening situation.

[Guitarpima]

+1 Jamming with others is a great way to learn.

[mullyman]

well lets put it this way it makes you certain that you are nowhere near as good as you perceive yourself to be.

It could be just the opposite though, Rick. Maybe someone lacks in confidence. Shit, I don't know if you were just massaging my ass cheeks or not but you gave me some good words on my playing from the jam room. I've had people tell me that they loved going to see my old band play and they really got into the Van Halen solo I used to do. I've been complimented on my tone and said that it's very unique............and I still think I suck all kinds of ass and when a jam occurs I consistently opt out and just sit and watch what everyone else is doing. I've been to so many jam sessions at bars etc... and I swear to God I've only played at one of them and swore I'd never do it again. I just don't have the confidence to get involved.
MULLY

[Danny Danzi]

i know i for one will never reach the standard that paul or danny or a good few others on here have and i'm under no illusion.

What if I told you I disagree? I think you could do it, I really do. But you have several things going against you, Rick.

You have a job, a wife, a different way of life, deadlines in life, chores, it's different than living music 24/7 like Paul and I do. The other side of the coin is, guys like Paul and I did most of our hard work learning to play while we were young lads. If I were to just start to play guitar...or even if I was playing for 5 years, there is no way I would be at the same level I am now.

Also, if you compared where I might be today after playing for 5 years vs where I was level wise back in the day in my 5th REAL year, my back in the day 5th year would blow my 5th year today in the dust. Then again, with all the new resources available, I don't know how true that would be. All I had were vinyl albums and cassette tapes...no video's or tabs or even phrase samplers to slwo stuff down.


You have to devote a part of your life to it that is a major sacrifice. If you could do that, or you had the desire to put more time into it, you would easily be right with Paul, me or anyone else. Look at young Lyle. He lives, eats, sleeps, shits guitar. He goes to school, does his homework, keeps his grades up and plays as often as he can. I don't hear Lyle telling me drinking, drug or women stories. Some may say because he's too young...I say he's too disciplined to even think of that way of life right now and I can't see him ever going astray. This is the best frame of mind he could be in.

In your situation, it's a bit different. You have been playing for a number of years. You do what you do very well. You have a few things you could improve on and you have some habits you probably want to break. All this comes with how you practice. If a person practices 10 hours a day, it doesn't mean they will be good. The practice regiment itself has to have a meaning and a purpose that covers many bases. How you practice is the most important thing in playing guitar.

There is no doubt in my mind (regardless of what you may think or know deep inside) that you could be the monster player you wish to be with the right practice habits, focus and the amount of time to put into it. But let me ask you....would you really want to be that great? Even if you were, what would you do with it?

If any of us on this site right now wrote the greatest album of songs of all time, what would you do with it? It's not like you can get a major record deal these days. Even me...I've been in this business for years man. If I put out an album right now that rivaled Van Halen I, no one would care other than my friends and the little following I've built.

If you don't want to be great to be a songwriter and being a great hobbiest is what you're after, all you have to do is put in a little more time and practice the right stuff man. It's also good to have a pro player that is better than you listen to you play and tell you everything that is wrong with how you execute, finger pressure, all the little nuances that may be wrong that you are soo close to, you can't pinpoint...and your over-all feel and playing aspect.

All this needs to be examined really. Some of the bad things about myself, I learned to fix from other players, teachers, and most of all, studio engineers. Things I did that I never noticed until we hit playback. Then they'd have to show me where I went wrong because I simply couldn't hear the stuff. So seriously man, you can do this IF you really want it. Right now you jam here and there...learn a song or 2 per week or whatever...but that is not going to make you really grow or climb the ladder the correct way. If this is something you are really serious about, I would be willing to take you under my wing and help you out. But, I'm an asshole and you may ban me from the site once we work together as "Rick my friend" will not totally exist in that realm. You will be "Rick the champion to be" which takes massive training and time.

It's also a bit harder to learn as we get older because our desire is not quite what it used to be. There are other things in life that hold a presidence man. That's the difference between being 17 and being in your 40's. Where the dude 17 may be still living with mom and dad, you ARE dad. LOL! You are the one supporting...so it's a different animal. I'd not be too hard on yourself though. You are a much better player than you give yourself credit for. I'd not say that unless I meant it. I don't give compliments away for the sake of making someone feel better.

I also think you have what it takes...you just have to really want it, get focused and change your game-plan mate. It's as simple as that. Focus, putting in the time, practicing properly, learning things you don't already know instead of hashing over what you already do, and pretty much putting it all into perspective and having a goal. Think about some of this....I've always been here to help you or anyone else...you know that man. Don't hesitate to take me up on it. There are several ways we can go about it. But we'll cross or burn those bridges when or if we come to them. :) In the meantime, don't be too hard on yourself. I've heard people that are supposed to be pro players not close to where you are man. :D

[zeusse]

How do you say passion is the driving force and knowledge is the fuel....ok damm I just said it but what do I know......its actualy what I tell the kids at hockey but I think it works on most things. Players can debate the positives and negatives of both perspectives of taught and self taught, but how do you ever arrive at a conclusion. To me its an instrument that demands all aspects of the human condition and offers inner harmony....yeah I know the Zen of this and that but to me thats the outlook I have on it. I actualy have two books here one is a little beat up book called 1001 chords and another hastily taped together scale book that shows every scale you could ever want or need. No there aren't any tabs because I just enjoy being able to read music...but I actualy can't get my head around tabs cause they are actualy harder for me to read. Maybe the best thing you can do is take a little bit from what everyone has commented on, and try them all....its like a box of Cracker Jacks everyone has a surprise.

[mullyman]

I'm thinking of ditching the lessons I'm taking now and get working on that regimen that is on justinguitar.com. He's got some workout ideas that appeal to me in a big way. I think it's like Danni said, all I need to do is apply myself and put the effort forth. As it stands right now I can honestly say that I don't put as much into it as I could. I have plenty of time to practice at least 4 hours a night if I wanted to go that far with it. It surely wouldn't hurt for me to devote at least a half hour, 45 minutes to working on a trouble area.
MULLY

[Rob]

I think what is a major factor in the way you progress as a player, no matter what methods you use to learn, is that you need a practice regime. I am totally convinced now the reason I have not progressed as far as I should, is because I don't practice enough, I have had lessons lots of em because I was unemployed at the time and playing electric guitar was something I had always wanted to do as a child, then at 30 years old found myself unemployed and had lots of time, I didn't apply myself to the challenge at the time though but the lessons give me a solid grounding. Since finding this place good old six string heaven, I feel, like a few have mentioned I have come on leaps and bounds as a player (still not great) but I am doing things now and have the confidence to try things that I would never have before.

When I do concentrate and practice e.g. recently went through some lessons on alternate picking, sweep picking and some andy james stuff I found wow I can do this, but I had to apply myself in a way I normally don't, I used the metronome slowly and building up to speed then tried to incorporate what I had learned into some of the Jams I have taken part in over the last few months (I don't know if anyone has noticed, I am trying to be subtle with the new stuff but it's creeping in) This is why I am saying that a practice regime works, but like Danni was saying about Rick, I am 43 and really I have only one window of time during the week when I can have some me time to play, I really just wanna play then, maybe do a cover or just noodle over a bt but I know if I want to play the stuff I hear from EVH, AC/DC etc. and some of the stuff you guys come up with then part of that day needs to be a structured practice session.

[davros]

Is there anything you should look out for when choosing a guitar tutor?

[Tony4552]

Yeah that he has a hot daughter the same age as you

[Tony4552]

Sorry about that joking aside, I personally would want a teacher who could show me how too play the guitar as a band instrument and not just a w*&king toy, I would want theory and tricks, and taught timings and signatures, generally I dont want to be a one trick pony

[Danny Danzi]

Is there anything you should look out for when choosing a guitar tutor?

First thing to do is listen to the cat play. He should be able to audition for you...if you like what he plays, you know that you can learn some of that. Try a few lessons and see how you fair, how his attitude is, how well he literally reaches out to you and teaches and go from there. You should know in 3 lessons whether you like the guy or not. You'd know in one lesson if I was your teacher....but sometimes people are not as easy to read. :)

[davros]

You'd know in one lesson if I was your teacher....but sometimes people are not as easy to read. :)
I wish!

I'll see who is around and try to organise a few lessons then, take it from there.

[Lyle]

Look at young Lyle. He lives, eats, sleeps, shits guitar. He goes to school, does his homework, keeps his grades up...



Well, the first sentence is true :mrgreen:

Actually, come to think of it none of that was true. Shitting guitar would hurt............