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Self Taught

#64
dude i will say that since i started learning the theory more in depth and started learning to read notation i do feel improvement. it does not complicate it or create rules that you as a good musician should not already be following.

but i feel like technique is a big part too and just because you can read doesnt make you a better bassist then someone who cant. a batter session bassist maybe....
 
#67
williamk said:
there is no downside of being self taught
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Well, I'm self-taught on bass, but there are plenty of downsides to being self-taught if you didn't teach yourself musical notation, key signatures, scales, intervals, arpeggios and sight reading. I learned all that stuff on other instruments and it's made playing bass a lot easier.
 
#68
I myself am self-taught.

The only challenge though is continuing what you started-that is-you need to always be challenging what you know. And if it's just you in a room with your bass, it can be hard to make yourself dig in and play a different way.

I see that being a good reason for lessons, that they would challenge you to see the music in a different way. But if you can keep pushing yourself, I find nothing more romantic than someone playing from their gut and loving EVERY minute of it.
 
#69
Not sure I would say I am self taught. But on bass and guitar I am, but before those I played piano for years with lessons so my theory was already good, as well as being able to read music. I had to learn to read tab but after piano score I found that trivial, and well learn bass technique which I did from studying players I liked and some books on the subject I picked up here and there. This was granted over 15 years ago.

The plus side for me is from already playing music I knew bass was what I gravitated towards. When people ask me what instrument they should learn to play, I ask them when they hear a song, what instrument do they always pick out, relate to, etc. For me the answer was simple, bass. Even when I played keys, the bass and left hand was where I started 90% of my writing.

Ken
 
#70
lupini said:
no flame here , don't want to start anything here but...
I'm self-taught and not because arrogance or problems with people telling me what to do

sometimes you work better on your own, you're more productive studing by books,
dvds and of course the internet :), a self taugh person must have a discipline just like a teacher
guided student.

being self taugh doesn't mean be arrogant...

there's no need for the "terrorism" about learning theory, technique or whatever as if it is almost
impossible to someone learn that by yourself, or if you do you're doing it wrong.

Theory isn't that hard to learn, a teacher may offer to you shortcuts to learn that faster than a self
taugh but of course you can learn it by your self why not?
Why only a teacher is able to teach you theory, technique or music?
There're so many great dvds, book that cover those subjects as well as a teacher...
so why judge self taugh musicians ?

so yes I'm a self taugh and I'm proud of it.. :):)
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Absolutely. Nowadays there are so many good resources - the Web, DVDs, etc - that if you're the slightest bit disciplined you can learn just about anything, for little money or for free. It's all out there on the Internet. If you want a teacher, there's a bunch of them on the Web offering lessons. Hell, there's a ton of lessons on YouTube alone - all free! This ain't like the old days (and I'm old enough to remember) where you had to have a teacher in order to progress, and self-learning books were few and far between. I know I've learned a ton of stuff on the Internet. Just here on TB alone I've learned so much since I joined.
 
#71
I have very little formal training, I refuse to claim to be self-taught.
Every time you figure out a cover tune, you are learning from the guy that wrote it. I do wish I had more instruction, and a better grasp of theory. The bottom line though, if you are happy with your ability, and can achieve your goals then you are good.

I feel like I am okay, if I can hear what I want to play in my head, and play it without too much thought.
 
#72
I picked the foundation out on my own for the most part. I have been able to grow from a very basic level player to intermediate (upper end of the scale) over the past 8 years. I haven't had the time to practice anywhere near like my friends have or how I would like to so the progression has gone slower than it should. I am to the point now where I want to take lessons from an established professional to expand my technique and knowledge of theory. I feel like there's a lot out that I'm missing out on that would vastly improve my playing...
 
#74
I wonder if there is a connection between age and self taught as far as quality of playing and getting in a band. are the guys that its easy for very young.i am 58 and can play songs i read tabs for ,but have trouble wondering off into my own improv.
 
#75
Being self-taught allows you to progress at your own pace and address what you need work on when you see it instead of next week when you have your lesson ; )

EDIT: Yeah, I know you don't always see what you need work on, but that's what youtube is for right? jk
 
#77
I took one bass lesson from a very good jazz guitarist. The rest has been on my own. I had to develop a technique that worked for me. I also went to see every good player I could...you can learn an awful lot by watching a great player.

I did take theory from a very good teacher in HS, and had a quarter in college (not really at as high a level as my HS class :eyebrow:), I can read but not quickly - I might need a run through or two to play a written line right. Charts & numeric are no problem - you need that stuff if you hope to get any session work.

At the time I was really learning to play, I was also gigging a lot and that was an important component too. Being in front of people forces you to get it together quick.
 
#78
ccmbassplayer said:
self taught.. have a great ear and feel,, cant read sheet music.. but I do read Chord charts, tab and Nashville Number system..

I would rather feel the music and the groove than complicate it with rules and boundaries.. LOL!!!
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There seems to be this great misconception that someone who is reading music doesn't play from the heart. That's complete CRAP! Come by some time and watch me play some Puccini or Verdi at the opera. I assure you I'm playing every note from the heart and 'in the groove'. Maybe people need to learn to work harder on learning to play other people's music with passion as well. Playing your own lines or someone else's with feeling are both rewarding experiences.

One of the most important aspects of working with a good teacher is the fact that they will target areas that you might not think to. Most people, left to themselves, gravitate toward playing what's easier for them, especially when creating their own lines. A good teacher will recognize what you're not good at and encourage work in those areas.

Perhaps the most important thing about a good teacher is that they will hear far more of your mistakes in rhythm, pitch, technique, notes, etc than you ever will on your own. And that goes for just about everyone. Even seasoned pros will at least play for their peers and ask for suggestions because it's really hard to be objective about your own playing. I've heard some of the best classical musicans in the business repeatedly make minor errors without noticing it themselves until someone points it out. What makes anyone think a self taught beginner will fare better without an experienced set of ears listening.

Regarding the 'rules and boundaries' comment. People always seem to forget that learning and practicing are not the same as performing. We learn 'rules and boundaries' to see what others may have done in the past (even learning a bass part off a record would be an example of this). We practice to work on the tools (chords, scales, rthythm practice, etc) that we will use when we perform. When it comes time for you to perform on your own, you take what you want from your practice and use it then. The more you learn the easier it will be to play with feeling because you have leaned so much more before the performance.

A good teacher can only make things easier. How many succesful authors were self taught - didn't learn language from school or a teacher? I suppose it would be possible but it seems like it would be a lot harder. Sounds pretty ridiculous, no? Why should music be different?
 
#79
I'm self taught, so I have a bit more "feel" for the instrument (that's what our worship leader said lol). It feels more natural for me and I can ear out a bassline pretty easily as a result of that. I learned by tabs so I can't say my ear is phenomenal, but writing usually isn't a problem for me at all.
 
#80
xxfaux_punkxx said:
How many people are self taught? If so what are the ups and downs to it?

I'm self taught and one of the ups is it really helps give you an ear for the instrument but on the downside, I can't read music.
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I was self-taught in the beginning, and bass was my first instrument.

Evolve. It's never too late.

I bought guitars. I bought an old upright piano. I remained self-taught.

For a lot of great musicians enjoying their craft and even making excellent money, self-taught does the trick.

Like you, I also lamented my lack of reading and formal skills.

Starting at the age of 35 I took piano lessons for three years. Learned bass and treble clef, augmented my already formidable chops and ear. Got a little theory under my belt. So glad I had the discipline and remained motivated. Standard notation is the written language of music, and it can be a very useful tool.

Evolve. If you love something, it's never too late.
 

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