Guitar Lessons?

Question

Have you learned to play guitar on your own? I only had a few lessons. Now I am a teacher and recommend getting a good teacher for students who want to learn. I didn't really learn it out of a book. How did you learn and what has it changed or improved in your life?

Yes, I are a teacher, yesterday I couldn't even spell it! WE need real blood pumping guitar teachers out there to help get music out there, I'm just one of many and I did go to college and dropped out and hired my music professor to work with me privately. I am published and well known, I've been on radio and TV. For my students I ask who is next? They say those who can do and I do and they say those who can't teach and I teach.

I have been a teacher for over 38 years.

Answer 1

I started out on my own. My first guitar was almost unplayable and did a lot of damage to my fingers. My first book was the standard Mel Bay, which stated that I had to learn the C chord first. Well, I had short stubby fingers and I could not play that C chord, so I wandered away from guitar and went back to piano. Later on, I got a classical style guitar for Christmas and learned the three basic rock and roll chords that gave Neil Diamond his career ( E / A / D ) and futzed around with those until I could eventually play almost twelve chords. I made the mistake of trying to modify my guitar (I wanted to go fretless - long story, no moral, no punchline) and that set me back a few years as well.

I didn't really make significant progress until I dropped out of school, (again?) threw a guitar on my back, hitchhiked to California and tried to make a living by playing it. I was going to be a folksinger, and although I never found "Fame and Fortune" I got a pretty good reputation, never went hungry, and eventually got to the point where I was considered a professional guitarist.

I eventually joined the Army Band, (Really long story for another time) and it was there I received the first professional lessons I ever had on the guitar. The fist thing I realized however, is that I had benefited from the experience of over a thousand teachers. I was a pushy little kid who wasn't afraid to bug people, so I got tips from almost everybody I played with, sometimes just so I would leave them alone. I'm not going to bore you by dropping names but considering the people who have given me a hand up, I really should be better than I am! If only I had been blessed with a better attention span, and hadn't been profoudnly dysfunctional all of my life ( - sigh - )

I got the benefit of structured lessons in College, when I pursued my teaching degree as well, and learned a whole lot of things I should have known all my life during those extremely interesting and frustrating three years (Big thanks go out to Curt Warren, Stefan Shyga, and Steve Eckles for their supprot and especially their patience) Now I teach guitar and although I have my own philosophy of teaching, (for one thing,we do not ever start out with the dreaded C chord - we start with the E minor seven with a suspension, move to the e minor seventh, then to the e minor and so on. Start with what you can do and build on it!) there is something from all of my teachers incorporated into my style. I will always recommend that a student find a teacher as well, but I recognize the fact that there are stubborn, hard headed individuals just like me, and for whatever reason they are dead set against the idea of having a "Teacher!" Maybe they ran into a bad one, or had an even worse experience in public school. Maybe they have a dysfunction in their learning process and are using the guitar as a way out and a way up. I recognize the fact that I have a duty to help out in any way that I can. I owe it to over a thousand other teachers who didn't even recognize their role in getting me to where I am today. Someday they will get to the point where they recognize the value of structured education. Until they do, they will get the scraps left around the table like I did. That's not necessarily a bad thing, and it is part of what makes the guitar such a community based discipline. Nothing gives me more joy than to see two students propped up against the back of a stairway, jamming together. One student sharing what they already know, and the other one playing catchup, usually so they can go off and try and start their own "Band!"

Big shout out to Guitarpicker above. I really heard your passion on that answer and just had to respond. If you pick anybody on this page today, pick him. It's those kind of answers that bring out the best in the rest of us!

Answer 2

Actually, I'm mostly self taught. Several years ago, I broke down and took a classical guitar class at the local university (Yes, I can spell too!) to work on my finger-picking technique. Before that, the extent of my lessons was a three day clinic taught at my elementary school. Most of what I know, however, came from a lot of hard work and a good ear. As for being a teacher, being published, being on the radio/television and being recorded. I wouldn't break my arm patting myself on the back, if I were you. I have done all of that, myself, and could name, off the top of my head, at least a dozen close friends (some of whom you may have even heard of), who have all done the same. That said, what has it changed, or, how has it improved my life: well, I can't necessarily say how, or if it has changed, or improved my life. I've been playing for almost thirty years, and can't really remember a time when I did not play. As for improvments, I have been dragged out of semi-retirement to play twelve string or other types of guitars, banjos, mandolins, etc. whenever they become fashionable for a minute or two. Plus, I have learned enough, partly through playing, to be able to do repairs on instruments, and to build them outright, which is always good for extra cash, so. I guess those could be labeled as lifestyle improvments.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if you mean you're a school teacher or a guitar teacher. I certainly hope you mean a school teacher. NO one who has had "a few lessons" should ever be allowed to teach the guitar. Of course there is no law against it, so you can.
I got a Master's and Bachelor's in classical guitar performance. It is my life. I became a virtuoso with a vast knowledge of music.
I'm sorry but if you don't have at least a lot of years of lessons and education behind you and you are teaching guitar, you should find another job.

Answer 4

In August 1956 a friend from Kentucky drew down 11 chords on a sheet of paper for me. With intermittent help from him in working out rhythm methods, I focused on the standard Country tunes of the times. While in high school I took a year of Vocal and learned how to read and write music--the best thing that ever happened for me to progress.

I purchased a guitar chord book that also had music theory notation fitted for the instrument. Using what materials were available, I soon began to write music, which prompted even more theory study and application.

In essence, I never had a professional lesson from anyone unless I count that old boy from Hazard, Kentucky, and his sheet of 11 chords.

I've been playing and teaching guitar since then--discounting some times while serving in the U.S. Army. My guitar mentor, through the years, has been Chet Atkins with sprinklings of Andres Segovia.

You must live, breathe, and love the guitar to do it.

Answer 5

I learned a lot by watching others. An older friend played and sang at home several nights a week and I would go over and try to change chords when he did and keep up with him. I also got chord books, song books, read guitar player magazine cover to cover, and went to hear and watch local bands. Later, I went to jam sessions and got in garage bands (this was the sixties). After playing about 6 years, I finally took a few lessons off of a very good teacher who taught me some jazz standards, rock and country licks, etc. That helped so much because I still use a lot of that knowledge...the licks, chord substitutions, etc. in other songs. I also bought any records by guitarists I liked and played along with them over and over and over.
It has changed my life by giving me an outlet, a hobby, friends, interesting travels, and something in common with a lot of people...oh, and it probably kept me out of trouble!

Answer 6

I learned entirely on my own for the first two years. It took a lot longer, but for me I had to get to a point of basic competence before I was confident enough to go to anyone for help. Then I was lucky enough to be introduced to someone who has been playing for over 40 years, and I progressed tremendously. The only thing better than a guitar teacher is a more experienced friend or band mate.

Answer 7

I first learned on my own with a beginner book and some Ramones albums but I had already been playing bass. I didn't get a teacher until much later which helped alot but only because he was a really good one. It's been a great thing for me. I've played in bands since I was 17 and now I mostly do recordings for other bands. Find a good teacher or learn on your own...Just do it.

Answer 8

I never had a guitar teacher. Learned myself. One website that offers free guitar lessons is http://www.mamamusicians.com

Answer 9

I had a gutar teacher at 15 who was an egomaniacal s.o.b. and he only wanted to teach so he could sit there and play and have kids idolize him close up. I LEARNED NOTHING. my first day he told me to improvise!

with what you moron? sorry that bit always gets me.

I picked it up again at 29 and have been on and off with it according to my work schedule. but one day when I was "between assignments" I picked it up and as I was playing scales and I hit just the right two notes by accident and things started coming together for me. I put the whole structure of scales together.

since that day my life has changed for the better in so many ways. I still have yet to play with anyone else, but i am working on that now.

But it did give me the confidence that I could achieve things I never thought I could. now I just give EVERYTHING my best shot and it turns out I had a lot of hidden talents after all. I haven't been out of work since then. and i havent gone more than a week without listening to new music.

Answer 10

Go on Youtube. This Australian guy gives REALLY good lessons on popular songs. I love the guy. His username on Youtube is: Jest Song Channel. He plays songs like: Imagine One How to Save a Life and lots of others. Happy playing.