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Is being self taught really something to brag about? (Rant)
- Thread starter I<34080
- Start date
I have been playing music for 46 years. Some of the very best musicians that I have ever played with were those who were self taught. They seem to possess the ability to freely improvise and are able to use the instrument to really express what is inside of them as opposed to simply being a mirror reflection of someone else.
This always comes up in every music forum I have ever kept up with for more than, oh, twenty minutes or so.
Let me tell you, different strokes for different folks is not just a hackneyed cliche, it's just the way it IS. I can't see why it's so hard for people to understand this. I went through my whole school career as a C student. 'Cause I'm dumb? Nope, because the way the system taught people didn't jive with the way I learn things. I wallowed through college to make my parents happy - again as a C student - only to graduate and teach myself the skill set I needed to become what I am today (Systems Integration Specialist - it's a long job description. Anywho...)
There are those that work very well within a structured curriculum, and would be lost without said structure. Then there are others for whom a structured learning environment stifles and actually prevents them from progressing as quickly as they would on their own with the proper learning materials.
So do I think that the whole world needs to skip out on school and teach themselves how to be a useful member of society (in the case of this thread, how to be a musician)? Absolutely NOT. Do I think that I need to go back to school and pursue a PhD to learn the finer points of my chosen profession? Hell to tha' NO, son!
You is who you is. If you're a self teacher, then start teaching yourself. If not, go get the lessons. There's no reason to condemn or praise either one.
Let me tell you, different strokes for different folks is not just a hackneyed cliche, it's just the way it IS. I can't see why it's so hard for people to understand this. I went through my whole school career as a C student. 'Cause I'm dumb? Nope, because the way the system taught people didn't jive with the way I learn things. I wallowed through college to make my parents happy - again as a C student - only to graduate and teach myself the skill set I needed to become what I am today (Systems Integration Specialist - it's a long job description. Anywho...)
There are those that work very well within a structured curriculum, and would be lost without said structure. Then there are others for whom a structured learning environment stifles and actually prevents them from progressing as quickly as they would on their own with the proper learning materials.
So do I think that the whole world needs to skip out on school and teach themselves how to be a useful member of society (in the case of this thread, how to be a musician)? Absolutely NOT. Do I think that I need to go back to school and pursue a PhD to learn the finer points of my chosen profession? Hell to tha' NO, son!
You is who you is. If you're a self teacher, then start teaching yourself. If not, go get the lessons. There's no reason to condemn or praise either one.
Nothing to brag about, but in some cases an admission that one hasn't used all resources available, to improve oneself.
That is NOT to say that completely self taught musicians can't be very good indeed- having had teachers does not mean you are any good.
I can't think of anything worth bragging about anyways.
Awesome summation. I have only ever taken one bass lesson, but I have spent my entire life trying to learn from other people. I know what sounds good and I don't care that it would take me an hour to read a simple piece of music. Everyone I have ever listened to is my music teacher.
I'm 95% self-taught.
I had lessons when I started. For a year.
I never could grasp learning another language (music on the staff) and continued the way I was already doing. My teacher was showing me the framework for songs that I was interested in learning. I'd come back a week later, learned all of that and most of the rest of the song.
My teacher told me that he really couldn't show me much more because I was learning so much more on my own.
Learning to read would have helped me get more work, maybe, but I'm completly happy with what I've been able to accomplish in 30 years now.
A LOT of my favorite musicians are self-taught. Never hurt them too much.
I had lessons when I started. For a year.
I never could grasp learning another language (music on the staff) and continued the way I was already doing. My teacher was showing me the framework for songs that I was interested in learning. I'd come back a week later, learned all of that and most of the rest of the song.
My teacher told me that he really couldn't show me much more because I was learning so much more on my own.
Learning to read would have helped me get more work, maybe, but I'm completly happy with what I've been able to accomplish in 30 years now.
A LOT of my favorite musicians are self-taught. Never hurt them too much.
Let me try some words of wisdom here. Now don't get your panties in a bind if I use women in my analogy.
Both can make wonderful sounds when in the hands of the experienced. Both can benefit from an experienced person. Both will not respond well if you don't know what you're doing. And it wouldn't hurt to be taught other lessons from someone else's perspective every now and then as it can only help you improve your technique.
And improved technique will always make you a very desirable "player".
Both can make wonderful sounds when in the hands of the experienced. Both can benefit from an experienced person. Both will not respond well if you don't know what you're doing. And it wouldn't hurt to be taught other lessons from someone else's perspective every now and then as it can only help you improve your technique.
And improved technique will always make you a very desirable "player".
First let me say I'm not angry at all self taught players, and have respect for anyone who makes good music, regardless of background.
I do find that locally, a lot of musicians who didn't take lessons hold themselves in higher regard than say, someone like me who took a few months of lessons on bass way back when, and was in the music program throughout school. The idea of having someone teach you something "taking the soul out" of their playing is ridiculous. Most of us grew our chops by playing other people's music, and their style of playing is definitely going to effect your style of playing. Amazing self taught musicians are amazing because they had amazing teachers, and when I say teachers I mean every musician they've admired, played with, or talked to.
Don't take advantage of the term self taught is all I'm asking. It's not an excuse for not knowing what you're doing.
I do find that locally, a lot of musicians who didn't take lessons hold themselves in higher regard than say, someone like me who took a few months of lessons on bass way back when, and was in the music program throughout school. The idea of having someone teach you something "taking the soul out" of their playing is ridiculous. Most of us grew our chops by playing other people's music, and their style of playing is definitely going to effect your style of playing. Amazing self taught musicians are amazing because they had amazing teachers, and when I say teachers I mean every musician they've admired, played with, or talked to.
Don't take advantage of the term self taught is all I'm asking. It's not an excuse for not knowing what you're doing.
self taught doesnt mean you dont know your instrument. you can know as much or more than any 'schooled' musician. it just depends on the person. as far as impressing people with it or having an attitude, that again depends on the person, just as many schooled musicians can have the attitude of 'oh i trained with so and so and the school of whatever'.
Definitely, but that's another rant entirely. Also, I'm not saying self taught people don't know their instrument, but I've played with many of them who have told me they don't know keys, chord names, etc because they were self taught, and felt that it was acceptable. They were writing the entire song with tons of accidentals (Read as: disregard to key) and expect the other people in the band to expect them.
Only if you're really, really good.....
No seriously, I am technically self-taught, on bass at least. I DID have a few years training on piano and voice, with lots of ear training by the vocal coach, which has served me well.
My bass training consisted of following around my local bass hero, who worked in a popular club band around here for years, and just absorbing as much as I could. Then applying what I learned as I practiced playing along with my favorite CD's.
The result is mixed. People like my playing. I can hang with most pro situations. Done my share of recording.
But I can't read. I probably could have had a real career if I'd learned. And, poor technique early on caused physical problems later, which I'm still paying for.
If I could do it again, I'd start by getting a REALLY GOOD teacher, to avert the reading and technique problems at least.
No seriously, I am technically self-taught, on bass at least. I DID have a few years training on piano and voice, with lots of ear training by the vocal coach, which has served me well.
My bass training consisted of following around my local bass hero, who worked in a popular club band around here for years, and just absorbing as much as I could. Then applying what I learned as I practiced playing along with my favorite CD's.
The result is mixed. People like my playing. I can hang with most pro situations. Done my share of recording.
But I can't read. I probably could have had a real career if I'd learned. And, poor technique early on caused physical problems later, which I'm still paying for.
If I could do it again, I'd start by getting a REALLY GOOD teacher, to avert the reading and technique problems at least.
