Who here is a self-taught?

[kmk108]

When I played bass in the 8th grade, I took one lesson. I prefered just playing, and since I supposedly have a knack for music, I started learning songs and that's how I've always played. Everything I've learned is from learning the songs I like to play. Since I started getting more serious in playing things on my own, I've learned that I'm severely lacking in the theory department. Anyone that is self-taught, give me some pointers so I can expand my learning even more.

[StrangerNY]

I'm self-taught.

One thing I did when starting out (and i still do it from time to time) is sit in front of the TV with my guitar and play along with whatever music comes on - commercials, theme songs, background music, everything. It gets you used to playing over unexpected chord changes and improves your ear.

I guess a more modern equivalent would be to put on your iPod or MP3 player and just jam to whatever comes on. Musical style shouldn't really matter - play along with everything, and you'll end up absorbing bits of everything. Make it fun - guitar playing should be a joy and not a chore!

Good luck.

- D

[Monsyphon]

Lacking in the theory department, you say?
So you want to know about music eh? Then watch!
This'll help you, 100% guaranteed.

[kmk108]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

I'm self-taught.

One thing I did when starting out (and i still do it from time to time) is sit in front of the TV with my guitar and play along with whatever music comes on - commercials, theme songs, background music, everything. It gets you used to playing over unexpected chord changes and improves your ear.

I guess a more modern equivalent would be to put on your iPod or MP3 player and just jam to whatever comes on. Musical style shouldn't really matter - play along with everything, and you'll end up absorbing bits of everything. Make it fun - guitar playing should be a joy and not a chore!

Good luck.

- D

I already sorta do that. I grab a bunch of backing tracks and play along. This has made me an ok soloist, but my lead melody playing is still sad, so I'll give this a try.

[kmk108]

Originally Posted by Monsyphon

Lacking in the theory department, you say?
So you want to know about music eh? Then watch!
This'll help you, 100% guaranteed.

OVERWHELM!!!!!
I'll have to watch all the videos at least 3 times before I'll get it all down, but great.

[StrangerNY]

Originally Posted by kmk108

I already sorta do that. I grab a bunch of backing tracks and play along. This has made me an ok soloist, but my lead melody playing is still sad, so I'll give this a try.

The best advice I can give you is keep trying. You might feel like you 'hit the wall' at points and your playing isn't progressing as much as it should.

But keep in mind that when you hit the wall, a breakthrough is just around the corner. Keep at it.

- D

[Brian1/75]

On guitar and most instruments I play. I took piano lessons for quite a few years when I was younger.

[Monsyphon]

Originally Posted by kmk108

OVERWHELM!!!!!
I'll have to watch all the videos at least 3 times before I'll get it all down, but great.

Same thing going for me too, but it's well worth it.

[kmk108]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

The best advice I can give you is keep trying. You might feel like you 'hit the wall' at points and your playing isn't progressing as much as it should.

But keep in mind that when you hit the wall, a breakthrough is just around the corner. Keep at it.

- D

Weird thing is that I went through a period where I didn't play guitar for a good 6 months. Before that, I was trying to learn the beginning harmony part in Avenged Sevenfold's Burn it Down. I got the notes and everything, I just couldn't get it up to speed. Well, after that 6 month period, a friend told me to play the coolest thing I could think of (he's a metal head, so playing that seemed good). I wasn't expecting it, but I picked up the guitar, went through the notes quickly and went for it. To my amazement, I played it perfectly, and up to speed. I would have never thought that after 6 months of not playing that 1)I'd be able to remember the notes and 2) play it better than I ever had before.
Needless to say, that alone got me started playing guitar again, and I have learned more in the year and a half since, then I ever thought.

My thinking is that I already know enough of what I want to do to start, I've just played it in a song and not realized I was applying theory. For instance, I started messing around trying my own solos, and since I started playing again, I realized I had figured out the blues pentatonic without realizing it. Backing tracks have helped a lot since they usually say the chord progression.

[LJGriggs]

I guess I'm about as "self taught" as anybody... Actually, I don't think anyone is really self taught because we pretty much all pick up things from the music we listen to and the people we jam with. "Back in the day" (the early 70's), we didn't have video lessons, internet, etc. and there wasn't much in the way of professional instruction for rock guitar. Me and my band buddies just learned from each other. I picked up some really good technique mixed with a lot of bad habits. It wasn't until recently that I really started looking at the "music theory" behind what I was playing. I was surprized to find that I was already using the various "scale positions", major & minor pentatonics, scale modes, etc without actually knowing what they were called. I probably would be a much better player today if I would have had access to the internet back then, but I might not have developed my "ear" and ability to improvise and "play what I hear in my head" to the same degree. I guess the bottom line is to learn everything you can about playing the instrument, but don't overlook the fact that real music is played from your soul...

[Leumas]

Originally Posted by kmk108

I already sorta do that. I grab a bunch of backing tracks and play along. This has made me an ok soloist, but my lead melody playing is still sad, so I'll give this a try.

Here's a little trick for that...instead of trying to learn the guitar melodies...try picking out the VOCAL melodies and playing along with those. It will help get your ear attuned to the main melody of the song and how it interacts with the underlying rhythms. I would be way more impressed by a guy who ripped up a James Brown vocal on a guitar than a guy who can play 8000 notes in 16 bars. It gets you in the mode of serving the song.

[djburchfield]

i took lessons for like 6 months, and i didnt learn anything but simple crap. And i got discouraged, and didnt play for over a year

I just got back into it like a year ago and i learned more in a month than i did in 6 months with lessons.

I think self-taught musicians develop their own style faster, and its just easier.
You learn to play like "You" not some guitar teacher

[zplapplap]

Originally Posted by kmk108

Anyone that is self-taught, give me some pointers so I can expand my learning even more.

I'm self-taught. But it's never too late for lessons. John5 still sits for lessons whenever he comes across someone that can teach him something. It's a great attitude for a professional of his stature and an inspiration to me. As soon as I can afford to, I going to get some lessons despite being 7 years in on the instrument.


This book is excellent. I highly recommend it.

[itchybro]

Originally Posted by kmk108

Anyone that is self-taught, give me some pointers so I can expand my learning even more.

Are you implying you only want information from people that are "self-taught"?

Not such a hot idea.

Second, the concept of being "self taught", tho noble I guess, is a bit squirrely at best and not terribly "time sensitive" as you probably get 30 to 50 years to learn then ply your trade. My take has been "give me the entire information buffet and I'll try to choose as wisely as I can."

You mentioned "holes in your theory". Well, if you drill down hard enough ALL that that information is already on the internet. BUT, the key here is finding a guide through the jungle who can help show you specific examples of how to put that information to use in a context you find pleasing. Hmmm... Those guides are called teachers. Some are in formal situations, some are the "hot player in town that teaches at the local store".

Regarding whomever said "get your 'style' together faster..." Well, think of that as the difference between "instant coffee" and "slow roasted blend.

If you take any of your major players you'll find YEARS of study (self inflicted or not) and find their "style" is a number of elements glued together in a way that may not have been combined before along with whatever idiosyncrasies they bring to the table.

The key here is STUDY and HOW you go about it. How you apply it to your chosen instrument. Can a teacher or tutor speed this process? Certainly. Will they pollute your "style"? That's entirely up to you. They may give you information that might lead you to a path you would have never considered before.

Do you have a system in place? Goals? Is there balance between say chord/scale exercises and learning tunes? How much time is spent transcribing tunes and solos? Have you learned a way to notate this information once you've figured out how to play it. (because you will need some sort of "information retrieval system" in place due to the way memory can betray you. You may remember the notes but..."How did I finger that? And where?"

Here are some tools and information I've found useful.

My most useful tools to learn....

A great way to divide your "practice time" to cover all the things I've mentioned.

Jim Campilongo practice method...

So again, you got to ask yourself, what are your goals? What is the most efficient way to that goal? Would a guide help you?

If the shitters broke you'd call a plumber wouldn't you?

[Laservampire]

I've never had any formal lessons but I've picked up a lot from other players. The rest I learned from playing along to albums and watching videos of my favorite artists.

IMHO there's nothing more educational for a guitar player than having a fellow guitarist to trade licks with and learn from.

[thedonal]

I had a few lessons at school when I started playing- at around 17ish. About a terms worth, once a week. Helped get me on the way.

Other than that I guess I learned from jamming with records, tab books and previous musical knowledge.

Recently, I've picked up a few technique books to help me improve- I also just got John Petrucci's Rock Discipline DVD. I downloaded it a while ago but as I've found it really useful, I thought "fair do's is fair do's" and ordered it. Really helpful stuff- just the warmups bit is worth the asking price alone.

However, all these technique books/lessons/articles only help with one aspect of playing- there's also the basic 'musicality' or harmonic language that only playing with other people, or learning stuff by ear will really help with. Doing 16th note chromatic exercises at 200bpm is one thing- but it doesn't teach you how to play/compose melodies and songs..

I think I need to get a teacher for some lessons to get me out of the usual major/minor/blues harmony ruts...

But that's just me!

[bikeracr]

Congrats on wanting to dig into the "why" behind the guitar. If you want true theory, either 1) take a music theory class and/or 2) get a book specific to the theory you want to learn.

I took a general theory class in college and it taught me how to think in that vein and break down chords, scales, cadence structures, etc. Since then, I have moved way beyond that class and it has ultimately helped me become a better musician.

There are many good guitar-specific books out there as well. If you want to learn chord theory (very useful if you want to get into more complex rock, jazz, etc.) get a good chord book that discusses theory behind it. It you want to learn to be a lead guitarist, get a book focused on that (I recommend "Soloing Strategies for Guitar" by Tom Kolb for starters).

Many guitarists may not agree because you need to "feel" the music. You can still feel the music but still have the knowledge to make better music. I still subscribe to the mantra: Knowledge is Power.

Good luck.

[capitalalchemy]

I'm self taught and after reading through some of the replies there are some common themes that I am noticing.

My biggest bit of advice would be to recognize when your playing is going into a rut and take it upon yourself to find the information to get out of the rut.

I'm not fond of theory at all personally. I know it and I teach it, but there is a difference in my opinion about being creative and well equipped with musical theory. I think jamming to music that you hear should come first, and after a while you'll start to see common patterns, so when you do start studying theory it will be a lot easier by that point. Don't forget that playing guitar is fun and that you should be willing to learn from your own mistakes. To me that's the point of being self taught. You can either take lessons and have everything explained to you or go on a personal journey where you can develop your own music, at least that's why I quit taking lessons years ago, and even then I played for 3 years before taking a single lesson.

Darkness Descends

Darkness Descends

[cmcoram]

I can't consider myself "self-taught," although I've never taken a guitar lesson. I played took piano lessons as a child, and then learned the trumpet in Jr. High and High School. Through the trumpet, I learned other brass instruments. All of this I applied to the guitar. So even though I never had a lesson, I'm not really self taught.

And anyone I've lifted a lick or riff from is a teacher, and I am the student.

[LiveOak]

Self taught over here.

[BurningBag]

Haven't had a lesson in my life. I don't really learn other songs, I have much more fun experimenting on my own. I feel like it builds my creativity a little more

[gilmourjunkie]

I would say that to truly free your playing, you need to have as much knowledge as possible. Otherwise you are limited to only what you know. While the self-taught method may work for some, I think a teacher can get you there faster than you would on your own. Until I got with a teacher, I didn't even realize that I had been a prisoner of my own playing. Its not about speed or technique, its about understanding what you are playing. I don't know if I'll ever get to true freedom, but that's the goal... for me anyway.

[Dannyelectro]

Lord I wish I was self-taught. Tried to take some lessons.. teacher called me untrainable and threw me out! Tried to teach m'self.. quickly realized my teacher didn't know a damn thing!

I'm completely UN-Taught!

40yrs later I've almost got two chords all the way down. Soon as I learn another one I'll be ready to join a hair band. (..fraid it's going to have to be a gray hair band though)

[gilmourjunkie]

Originally Posted by Dannyelectro

Lord I wish I was self-taught. Tried to take some lessons.. teacher called me untrainable and threw me out! Tried to teach m'self.. quickly realized my teacher didn't know a damn thing!

I'm completely UN-Taught!

40yrs later I've almost got two chords all the way down. Soon as I learn another one I'll be ready to join a hair band. (..fraid it's going to have to be a gray hair band though)

Yikes, what an ass of a teacher. Find yourself a good teacher, they are out there but unfortunately you really have to search or luck out. I had two bad teachers and quit them both. If they can't help you learn, move on... there is someone who can. Its not your shortcoming, its theirs.

[Tuya Customs]

Originally Posted by djburchfield

i took lessons for like 6 months, and i didnt learn anything but simple crap. And i got discouraged, and didnt play for over a year

I just got back into it like a year ago and i learned more in a month than i did in 6 months with lessons.

I think self-taught musicians develop their own style faster, and its just easier.
You learn to play like "You" not some guitar teacher

Amen to that

[The ConGREGation]

Self taught and most of the time it shows.......

[Thundergod]

Not one guitar lesson in my whole life and I ended up teaching

[redneckuprising]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

One thing I did when starting out (and i still do it from time to time) is sit in front of the TV with my guitar and play along with whatever music comes on - commercials, theme songs, background music, everything. It gets you used to playing over unexpected chord changes and improves your ear.
- D

Thats a pretty good idea! I think I'll try that

[jonesy]

I am...

[Eliott]

Originally Posted by StrangerNY

The best advice I can give you is keep trying. You might feel like you 'hit the wall' at points and your playing isn't progressing as much as it should.

But keep in mind that when you hit the wall, a breakthrough is just around the corner. Keep at it.

- D

I agree with this statement. I started years ago alone, in small room, without any good idea what and when to do? Now, I have in total 5 guitars, where 3 are always at close distance, like the gun... Practice makes a wonder!