another musical topic

Sanctify · Post by **Sanctify** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I saw the other thread that was just posted and I as soon as I read it I thought of the following...

How many of us are self taught?

I've been playing guitar for 12 years... 12 years ago I took about 6 months of private lessons...

Today I give lessons once a week to kids and play in a band...

Any one else self taught out here in rockpage land?

ToonaRockGuy · Post by **ToonaRockGuy** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

My first instruments were drums and violin. My dad started me playing violin at age 5, and I played drums and violin in school, and took a single piano lesson, but most of my playing is self-taught. I gave up violin upon graduation, but I've been playing drums now for 31 years. (Since age 4)

bassist_25 · Post by **bassist_25** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I studied piano for 5 years; then I was informally taught bass; I taught myself basic theory; then I studied advanced theory under an instructor in State College.

I also played trumpet in school band, and I'm a hack guitarist.

Daxman · Post by **Daxman** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I'm self-taught and it shows!

RobTheDrummer · Post by **RobTheDrummer** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I started drumming when I was in 5th grade. Wanted to just play...I really don't know why, I just wanted to play. Well, never took a "private" lesson, just learned the rudiments and technique through my perc instructor (jason burkle) in high school. I eventually got my first drumset when I was 16, been playing kit ever since and teaching perc at Tyrone and Huntingdon high schools. I think I was a combination of self-gratification and hard work. Playing percussion since age 9 (14 years) playing drumset since 16 (7 years). That's about it.

tonefight · Post by **tonefight** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

After a couple months of "Twinkle Twinkle little Star " Lessons at the age of 14, I started getting guitar mags and then......... Remember these , Doug Marks Metal Method, Actually they helped alot especially the couple note licks and repetative licks, it made it real easy to keep the interest there.
Anyway, I didn't play any of this stuff for the guy teaching me then I just started rippin some licks off one day, I still remember the funny way he tilted his head and looked at me, it all suddenly made sense to him why I wan't practicing those lame ass songs. I bailed a couple weeks later and stuck with mags and books.

daveb · Post by **daveb** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I took 4 guitar lessons from a cop in Clarion in 1978. I took my KISS songbook and wanted him to teach me Dr. Love. He pitched the book aside and tried showing me Clare de Lune. That was the end of my formal training. I never minded being self taught until I started doing more composing than jamming. Sometimes now I wish I was able to work both disciplines into my early training.

rickw · Post by **rickw** » Wednesday Sep 08, 2004

I studied with Thom Fronauer and Ed McGuier many moons ago. Although I may have not have been the best of students, I did learn. I listen, a lot. Always have. I never considered a style I was unfamiliar with as worthless. Hell, at 47 I've learned stylistic nuances from punk bands (I still can't figure out how they can play so fast and accurately!!)! I've learned from mtv, vh1, cmt, friends, you name it. I think the key is to develop the purely physical skills of playing an instrument guided by a good teacher. Learning to actually read the notes is beneficial too (I get a lot of work because I can read). Lots of self taught too. Roundabout by Yes was the first song I learned on my own. It took a long time. Maybe a teacher could have helped!!

Punkinhead · Post by **Punkinhead** » Thursday Sep 09, 2004

I studied under Shawn Skiles at Music Haven....I am alot self taught and am a teacher myself now as well...