I've taught myself all i know so far with a chord dictionary, getting chords and tabs for songs off the internet, and playing with friends. Grant I am definately not great just yet but if i can make it this far, I can keepa goin' i wouldn't take lessons given a chance, i've been given several chances,

How did you learn? Lessons or On Your Own?
and leave your story

_________________
"He who hates me hates my Father as well."
John 15:23

Talman Ibanez Inner City-Suizy Q
2002 American-Made Fender Telecaster-Vengence
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

No lessons here. I taught myself, but I still think lessons could be beneficial.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

No lessons here, either. Though jamming with guys who are better than you, especially if you are attentive, can teach you a lot eventually. I guess I learned by assimilation and repetition. Learning to play guitar is a lifetime proposition, I think.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

+1...I don't think I'll ever get to the point that I feel like I'm 'done' learning. There is always something new.

_________________
Check out my new FB music page!

https://www.facebook.com/TheDevilandMe.Music

The closest thing I had to a lesson was when I asked my uncle what the dots meant on the chord charts-he told me that's where you put your fingers-then I was set to go.

_________________
'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

Never took any lessons while I was learning to play, had a couple unlces that showed me some stuff. But when I find I get into a really bad rut, I go to a store and just take a few lessons, and invaritbly learn something I forgot or didn't know and usually that rut goes away within a week or two. So they can be beneficial.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

+1000

I had been playing for nearly two decades before i started lessons about a year and my god its been worth it...... I actually am "starting" to sound like i have always wanted too.... I have found the biggest guitar monster in the area though....A half pie young teacher would never do.... His been teaching for 20 years plus and playing for jeezez prob 40+....I would hate to guess...... He can shred, Jazz, Blues is his corner stone and play hundreds and hundreds of different types of scales and progressions....If you can find a dude like this no matter how good you are go its worth gold doing so.....

_________________

I am highly against lessons,I've found that if a kid has even the smallest little bit of feeling,Its wiped away till they are nothing but liveing robots ready to be told what to do.

_________________
I LIKE PIE!!!!!

IF I DO SOMETHING STUPID,DON'T SAY A WORD...

Dad taught me until age 14. Then lessons until 17. Then formal instruction in college. Lessons are a great way to get your game up. Be ready to learn fun stuff and not-so-fun stuff. If you want to be a studio musician or music teacher you need the education. If you want to play in rock/blues and cover bands and be a great player you don't have to have it so much.

Teachers push you to learn the stuff that you would be unwilling to learn on your own. As a result, you become a well rounded musician. Things like reading music, theory, and how it all works together. If you take lessons, don't spend that time learning songs (you can do that on your own) spend the time learning something about music or guitar that you don't know. You can learn a lot (if not all you need) on your own, a good guitar teacher will speed up the process and keep you focused and on the correct path.

I think taking lessons in guitar building would be fun. Also, I would like to fill in some theory with lessons. I quit for about 15 years or so, it has been a process to build back up and remember things. Started back about 18 months ago, been playing every chance I get since then. I was into other things for that time, but my body has broken down and I needed a hobby that was not physically demanding. Needless to say, I believe I made a good choice to pick the guitar back up.

_________________
My ability to spell is in direct proportion to the amount of coffee I've had.

I,ve taught myself and after 35 yrs of playin I take the occasional lessen and find it very helpful. I helps you get into a different frame of mind.

For me, lessons have been a very positive experience. I'm gaining a lot of knowledge about playing that I probably wouldn't have ever taken the time to figure out for myself. I'm slowly, painfully putting that knowledge to work to become a better guitar player.

_________________
'10 American Deluxe HSS Sunset Metallic
'10 JA-90 Thinline Telecaster
'15 Music Man JP-15 Blueberry Burst
'07 Les Paul Standard Faded LCPG #82
'14 Carvin ST300
'12 Carvin CS424S
'66 Guild Starfire IV w/Bigsby
'14 Warmouth Partscaster Daphne Blue

I agree 100% here,
for me though, it's a pride thing
if you can teach yourself, you've got talent
lessons, i think, not always the case of course, can weed that natural talent out of you

but there is nothing wrong with a little advice here and there

_________________
"He who hates me hates my Father as well."
John 15:23

Talman Ibanez Inner City-Suizy Q
2002 American-Made Fender Telecaster-Vengence
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

About "50" years ago a Teacher/A@#$%^&a1/2, told Me that My hands were not made for guitar. He said I would never learn to play. Sense that day I've Hated Teachers that Discourage Kids from learning. So If you do take lessons, make sure your teacher is up to the task. A bad one will do more harm than good. Did I ever learn? You bet I did, In about 10 years. I was prity good, for a self taught kid that learned the best way I could. Then I got married at 23 and let my music go for about 35 years. What a mistake that was, not the marriage, but the music thing. Now I'm 68 tomorrow and trying to learn it back. Not an easy task The hands don't work like they yous to. But I'm still haveing a great time and this is a great place to learn. There is probably more knowledge on this forum than any place on the planet. I know that sounds kinda silly but not far from fact. Choose your friends well and study heard and you'll learn.
----Danny,

I'm glad It was GREAT.

_________________
I LIKE PIE!!!!!

IF I DO SOMETHING STUPID,DON'T SAY A WORD...

lessons, yes

_________________
you can save the world with your guitar one love song at a time it's just better, more fun, easier with a fender solid body electric guitar or electric bass guitar.