So how long did you take lessons for...

[Larry]

How long did you or didn't you take lessons for?


I took them for about 3 years... I think I learned more on my own though than I did in lessons...

 

[marduke]

i havnt taken any lessons, but i want to do some music theory sometime soon, i dont think ill get guitar lessons though.

 

[Jimmyb]

I've never taken formal lessons.

Which probably explains why I'm so cr4p!!!

 

[ivanmihaljevic]

I took lessons for 6 years. I didn't take just guitar lessons, I also took music theory, ear training, harmony, history of music, singing and piano lessons.
All that was a part of the program in the music high school I attended.

Nowadays, I'm giving guitar lessons (most of my students don't know much about music theory, so I incorporate that into the guitar lessons as well)

 

[Dizzy]

I learnt classical & did practical & theory exams from ages 9-15, then did my own thing until I was 23.

I stopped playing totally for just on 10 years (sport / work) and started playing again just before I joined the forum late last year.

Best thing I ever did.

Balls helped me find a lost passion.

 

[mikeller]

Initially I took several months of lessons. Then I had a very well respected guitarist teach me some riff's, which got me on my way to playing.

After several years without lessons, I did restart formal lessons with several jazz and music theory teachers and if I recall that went along probably off and on for 3 or 4 years.

 

[Ang3lus]

i'm still taking lessons after 4 years with two teachers now, one for theory, one for rocking

 

[candid_x]

Never had a guitar lesson and don't know half the names of what I play. Hence my self definition of 'guitar hack'. Have a lot of fun though.

Individuals are wired differently, some not for formal edjemication. That's the cool thing about playing guitar, it doesn't necessarily require one. If you have fingers and a soul, you can find your way.

Not to say by any means that formal lessons are a bad thing. I would have taken them too if I was smart enough.

 

[satriani17]

I took piano lessons for 7 years, which lasted until i was about 12. This helped me pick up the guitar a lot quicker I think, but I've never taken any formal guitar lessons

 

[robelinda2]

took lessons for 4 years, then went my own way.

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

I took violin, cello, and some theory lessons/classes a long time ago. I'm self-taught on guitar.

 

[fogman]

I never took lessons, but am currently thinking of taking some for a little while.
There are a number of things I want to know, after which I will probably quit.

 

[JMB27]

Took lessons for about 3 years back in the 80s (also learned a little about playin' piano and trumpet too - jack of all trades, master of none. d'oh! ).... and have been learning ever since

 

[glockaxis]

About a year. Ever since I've amasses a bind-boggling array of instructional books/magazines. I'd like to start up lessons again at some point.

 

[ernie1966]

I took them for 4 years back in the mid 80's when I was teenager. Did some classical stuff in college. I've been taking jazz lessons for about a year and a half now. My teacher, Paul Casino, knows his stuff. He's studied with Pat Martino, Lenny Breau and alot of other amazing jazz players. Plus, he's like a walking history lesson of jazz and blues developement. He has a story for every song, style and player.

 

[mesadualrec]

I have had NO lessons,I have learnt it all by myself,theory and all.The only lesson I have ever had was a few weeks sitting with a renowned bass player and a metronome and playing along with every beat on(anxd then getting hit if I went out) that is the best education you could get as a guitar player (our timing normally sucks!!)

Ohh I also went to college for 6 months to study modern music but ended up teaching the tutors so I left

Im pretty proud Im self taught

 

[pauldogx]

I've been playin for 28 years and I just started takin some lessons lately with a Jazz guy in the Chet Atkins/Tommy Emmanuel style. Playin in the solo jazz style has always been a weak point for me and this guy is a monster. Any player of any style or ability level can benefit from lessons with the right teacher . Find someone who inspires you that plays well in an area in which you are weak, take a few lessons and stretch your mind a bit!!!!! Foolin around with other instruments can also expand your guitar playin---lately I've been foolin around with the violin. What a blast!!!

 

[brasco68]

Never had one lesson...however when I look at someone like Paul Gilbert, I wish I would have studied guitar, instead of totally going by ear.

 

[Multiversal]

For the last 6 years I have been almost totally self taught with the exception of one month that I tried to take lessons. I couldn't handle the lessons(I wasn't learning anything) and couldn't muster up the dough to pay the guy.. so I stopped.

Now that I'm at Berklee I am realizing that the chances of making it in this industry without much formal training are small. I highly suggest that everyone get at least a few years of formal training under their belt, and if you're serious about it.. go to a music school.

I swear, this place is like Disney World.

 

[paranoid70]

I took a guitar class in high school that taught me the very basics. Nothing beyond that. I really really wish I did, I would probably be a lot better today.

I was thinking of taking some but I don't really know what type of lessons to take. I know most of the basics i.e. chords and stuff, and I know scales by memory from reading books. What I guess I would need to know is more theory on how to tie it all together. Don't know if that is something you can get for $20 / hour at the local music store.