Members Cyprien Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 I've been playing for about 2 years and 10 months with a teacher.My teacher has stopped teaching so I don't actually have one, but I know how to play guitar (just as you know how to drive a car after 4 weeks of lessons) in those almost-three years,I learnt Major, Minor, Barre, Power (5) and 7 chordsno suspensions or chord construction (just basics of construction. Lead playing Alt. picking Pinch Harmonics Tapping Hammer-ons Pull-offs Grd 2 Theory some basic repair how to work out songs by ear. Speed picking Aeolian, Mixodian, Iolian etc. pentatonic scales. I've pretty much mastered all of those. and I really enjoy playing. Do I need to find a new teacher or can I pick up all the other tips and tricks from other guitarists, chord calculators, the internet, HC etc. I play Heavy Metal just by the way, and I can play pretty fast during lead work. did any of you drop lessons but still progress well on your own. It's not really teaching myself how to play cuz I know how to play the instrument, its more of discovering new techniques. The only thing I really need to learn are more chords, but I can easily get that on the internet. What you think?
Members invisible_8cat Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 You bet. Teachers are for those who don't have the self discipline to teach themselves. The best people in any field are those who are self taught. I have two degrees in Computer Science and Microbiology from a big state university and I'm not qualified for a single job in either field, really. I love music. I memorize the scales for fun. I figure out songs for fun.
Members mikeyzc Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 definitely...i started playing guitar when I was 10. I took lessons until I was 16 and learned, but didn't really explore much. I'm not 21 and do to teaching myself and self disipline I can figure out songs by ear and write my own songs. I read tablature, but can't read sheet music, but many well known guitarists can't read sheet music
Members Robert Reis Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 A teacher is a good way to keep yourself on track and to monitor your progress. A book or a website won't tell you if you're playing something wrong or if there's a better way to do it. I've been doing lessons on and off for the last seven years and I feel that I always learn so much more when I'm with a good teacher than when I'm studying independantly. Its easy to hit a plateau and stay there when you don't have a teacher pushing you to the next level.
Members Flanger Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 Sure, if you are dedicated. However, I'm not disciplined enough to practice regularly on my own, so I'm taking lessons after years of playing.
Members desmoines_bluesman Posted March 18, 2003 Members Posted March 18, 2003 I think it ultimately depends on the way the guitarist learns and what goals he/she has. If he/she has little or no self-discipline and wants to be the next EVH in a professional sense, a teacher might be a good thing. OTOH, a person who has a lot of self-discipline but just likes to jam once in a while should be fine on their own.
Members AJrockz Posted March 19, 2003 Members Posted March 19, 2003 Originally posted by Cyprien I've been playing for about 2 years and 10 months with a teacher.My teacher has stopped teaching so I don't actually have one, but I know how to play guitar (just as you know how to drive a car after 4 weeks of lessons)in those almost-three years,I learntMajor, Minor, Barre, Power (5) and 7 chordsno suspensions or chord construction (just basics of construction.Lead playingAlt. pickingPinch HarmonicsTappingHammer-onsPull-offsGrd 2 Theorysome basic repairhow to work out songs by ear.Speed pickingAeolian, Mixodian, Iolian etc. pentatonic scales.I've pretty much mastered all of those. and I really enjoy playing.Do I need to find a new teacher or can I pick up all the other tips and tricks from other guitarists, chord calculators, the internet, HC etc.I play Heavy Metal just by the way, and I can play pretty fast during lead work.did any of you drop lessons but still progress well on your own.It's not really teaching myself how to play cuz I know how to play the instrument, its more of discovering new techniques.The only thing I really need to learn are more chords, but I can easily get that on the internet.What you think? But of course! Lessons aren't a bad thing....but sometimes its better to strike out on your own and explore. I took lessons for about 3 years when I started. After that I wanted to move on to using what I learned and from there taught myself at my own pace everything else...either from sheer determination, or from books and such. I know teach guitar.....and I feel like I have a pretty unique way of teaching even the beginner because I don't bury them in theory jargon. I know both sides of the coin, and can interpret the theories into something that the average person can understand without a degree in music theory. So to be to the point....I definitely believe you can progress on your own without continued formal training or education.
Members Halo Storm Posted March 21, 2003 Members Posted March 21, 2003 The key to developing is being able to train yourself. One of the best ways is to take lessons from famous guitar players you want to emulate. I used to take lessons fro Yngwie by learning his songs note for note. Same with Randy Rhoads and Angus Young. They were all my instructors. I had a friend teach me the basics and the rest I learned from the pros. To see how I turned out listen to the mp3 here.http://www.demibarbito.com/halostorm.html
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