Formal musical education or self taught?

[jordan2]

I was just wondering what percentage of the guys here have had some sort of formal musical education (i.e. lessons, school, etc.) as apposed to the percentage of self taught players.


Edit: If you have both a formal education and something else vote as formal education.

[Tupac]

Self taught, with plans of getting a teacher soon. I suck.

[change-jug]

I taught myself how to play. But I even 11 years later I wouldn`t mind a teacher showing me a thing or 2.

[carlthegroover]

In music, I've been through both. I was mostly self-taught with guitar.

But in bass, I've learned mostly through lessons.

So in answer to the OP's question, I guess I lean towards formally taught.

[briand]

hmm... well, I chose "self taught" in the poll, because by and large I am... I did have the good fortune to attend a summer session with Milt Hinton in Saratoga Springs, NY a few years ago, though...

[Savage_Dreams]

i didnt choose any off them. i have training, but not on bass. 8 years of formal training on clarinet, bass clarinet, & percussion. self taught on bass & guitar. i think formal training in the basics of music is very important. but i see no problem with being self taught on a specific instrument.

[IAmTheWalrus]

I've been in concert/marching/jazz band since the 5th grade playing euphonium/trombone. I didn't pick up the bass though until my senior year in the aptly named "learn an instrument" class. My teacher never got us out of the first book though, so I learned what frets on which string are which note but as for my actual playing technique it's mostly self taught/watching videos on youtube/mimicking what my friend does when he plays bass

[fivestringgecko]

I chose "formal education" because while being largely self-taught on bass, I started piano at age 4 and took lessons all the way through high school. I played sax for a lot of years as well (concert/symphonic/jazz bands like Walrus), until I toured for a year with Up With People and picked up a bass for the first time at a cast party. Found my true passion and have been playing for about 13 1/2 years.

Transferring scales & theory to bass was pretty easy for me and I didn't take lessons until the last year or so, when I've taken lessons with Ray Riendeau, a couple drum and groove clinics and most recently, a bass clinic with Doug Johns.

I also share Change-jug's philosophy... no matter how much you know or how long you've played, there's always something to learn or something to brush up on!

5sg.

[sricks3]

Well, I had formal piano lessons for 5 years. Then I had formal double bass (orchestral) training for about 10 years. During the 10 years of playing in orchestras and chamber groups, I taught myself to play the electric bass, the guitar, and the mandolin. I started playing upright bass in jazz and bluegrass settings without any "formal" training, and I play electric in just about any genre where they'll take me.

So, both?

[dvh]

There should be a "both" option...

[DWBass]

As far as bass goes.....I'm self taught. I have had formal piano, violin, trumpet and trombone lessons though.

[Basshoofd]

Formally self taught

[topo morto]

Originally Posted by dvh

There should be a "both" option...

I just ticked both and voted... not that that's very helpful when people read the poll!

[Jinro]

Interesting how most people here recommend getting a teacher, yet according to this poll they themselves haven't.

[tekdiver500ft]

I have a master's degree in vocal jazz performance, a bachelor's degree in instrumental (band) music education, but taught myself how to play bass.

[Savage_Dreams]

Originally Posted by Jinro

Interesting how most people here recommend getting a teacher, yet according to this poll they themselves haven't.

the experience of not having a teacher could make you wish you had.

[Mayers]

The day I had a bass for the first time I had lesson. I took them for 4 years before I went to college on classical DB and jazz BG. that for 3 years. After I took one year of private lesson and since then it has been 4 years selftaught

[pbasswil]

Originally Posted by dvh

There should be a "both" option...

+1. I did ok as a teenager on several instruments, with only some piano lessons as an intro to the written note.

Music college activated a different musical side of me. But it didn't give me my basic understanding of harmony and melody; it just developed what I had already found by myself.

Imho, basic musical understanding comes from your enthusiasm and curiosity: i.e., wanting to experiment with your instrument.

Structured teaching attempts to shepherd us towards milestones of competency, which is great.
But it can't replace the intuitive, physical connection we get when we're constantly driven to mess with our instrument.

[Garmonbozia]

I am a self taught bassist, however I took two years of Cello lessons in my mid 20's as well as theory classes and such.

[ShredderMaximus]

Wait...

Does Talkbass count as a "mentor?" Because I wouldn't be half the bassist I am now without it, so technically I don't think I can honestly say self taught, I've had thousands of mentors who I just never met face to face.