How much importance do you place on Lessons? As we progress in our guitar passion do you seek out lessons or try to learn from others formally? I know many people play and play and learn mostly from other musicians that they play with so when is it time for a lesson or two? I first started lessons with a co-worker that has 40+ years playing and frankly has forgotten more about guitar than i will learn if i lived to be 100. since moving to Korea i have been on my own and growing because i play 1hr or more a day. I think when i return to the states i will look for a teacher just to help grow but also i want to get into a band and REALLY play. thoughts?

there are a number of thoughts that go with this.
anytime you have somebody to show you something thats time saved in learning it on your own. plus, they are there to guide you and teach you the in's/out's, of guitar study and playing. a lot you will still have to come up with on your own via the homework and study he/she suggests for you.
some folks will argue that by not going the teacher method, your better because you learned it all on your own sweat. eh, not so sure about that one. there is something to be said when you hear an amazing player and find out hes/shes self taught.
there are a lot of folks out there just like that too.
either way you go, its a lot of work learning to play these dang things right.
i look at it like you gotta move a big pile of dirt. its always nice to have someone else to help you along, but if you do it yourself, there is a bit of pride in it for you, along with a back ache.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

I posted this in another thread but I'll repeat it here. I've been playing guitar since I was 11 or 12, I had lessons and learned to read music, but had several large gaps of time where I didn't touch it for years. Last week I had my first guitar lesson in 45 years. I was tired of sitting home playing by myself and figured I could maintain my interest easier if I learned a little faster with lessons. I'm very happy with my teacher. We seem to be on the same page as to what I need to learn and what I want to play. Part of my homework is EC's I'm Tore Down. Practice the different parts including the bass line and come up with a lead break. Plus I get to torment my wife with practicing scales. So, just one lesson has added quite a bit of interest to my play time.
Now, the following info that I'm going to give you, I'm not promoting. Just letting you know it's an option. For guys who want someone to jam with and can't find anyone. My local Guitar Center has a program called Rock Show. They put together students with like ability and musical interests and for two months they get mentored as they learn 5 or 6 songs to play at a end of month show. It seems lame, but for some guys it could be the stepping stone to get them to go out and play with other people. I know GC has this same program in three other locations including Sarasota Fla.
Bottom line, I think lessons are a good way to mix it up and not let yourself get stale.

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all good thoughts drew.
thats a good program GC has.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

My .02. I'm for lessons. I started back up after a 40+ year lay off. For me I wanted and instructor who would teach me sound fundamentals. I "taught" myself to play golf. Now after all these years I have some bad habits that are hard to break and keeping me from being an OK player. I want to do better with guitar. Hence the teacher.

The key is finding a good teacher. The guy I had recently started out OK then got real lazy. Initially gave me practice drills. Then after a few months lessons consisted of "what do you want to do today?"

Get yourself a good teacher so you can get maximum pleasure from our hobby.

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Fender Super Champ XD

sound advice and a great warning about teachers. some teachers will get lazy on you.
the more they get to know you they sometimes feel that they can.
when that happens set him straight or find another teacher. its your cash,time, and education. find someone strong and strict.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

^^I think part of that comes from just how the lesson is. My guitar teacher, usually asks that question because I only see him once every month or so and I always have an answer. We usually spend a half hour on stuff he thinks is important and the other half on things I want to learn. I like it. Guess it depends.

oh ok. i was thinking that you were on a week by week deal.
i see what hes doing.
some teachers will spend a few minutes teaching on what is really on the mind of the student, something they might be listening to or interested in learning extra to keep the fun value on board.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

i only needed lessons for the first 6 months, then i only went to them to make my parents feel happy. i hated it though, they had no understanding of the disorder i have in my right hand/arm, if anything they made it worse. so i thought "$@!& it" and i didn't go. my playing has improved heaps since i became self taught.

thats just me though, i never really liked help.

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riley