The real age old question: when learning to play an instrument, is it better to take lessons or to be self-taught?  

When I first became interested in playing guitar, I couldn’t wait to learn the ins and outs of the guitar world, and when finally got my hands on the real thing, (after a bit of preamble) I went head-first into picking up on cool licks and riffs from popular songs. I was completely suckered into playing without taking a second’s thought on learning theory and craft.

Over time you pick up on bits of musical theory and terms and how to write a song, but could I be a better guitarist if I learned this from the start?

It might surprise you, but some of the best musicians didn’t take lessons or learn music theory either. Everyone’s guitar idol Jimi Hendrix didn’t take lessons, and neither did Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke. The list goes on: Paul McCartney, Dave Mustaine, James Hetfield, Kirk Hammett, Chuck Schuldiner. What they all have in common is their dedication to learning the art. Take away the heart of a song and all you’re left with is the skeletal-like structure which holds the creativity in place. Liken it to a painting; the theory e.g. time signature, key and tempo is the blank canvas, whilst the splashes of paint is the flare and individual talent which makes a song unique.

The reason why I’m bringing this up now is because my brother got a bass guitar for Christmas, and, like me, he’s gone straight over to playing songs and he really has picked up on the basics very quickly. Every now and then I drop a scale or two in so he understands what he’s playing, but letting him figure out what sounds good by ear is the most important attribute needed by a musician.

However, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t pay for a teacher. Don’t forget what you can gain from lessons.  Private lessons are a great way to start as long as you avoid conforming to a linear learning path based on theory. Playing outside the classroom keeps playing an instrument from becoming a chore, which some of my friends have succumbed to in the past. Yet you still need to get the fundamentals down to a tee, otherwise some bad habits you pick up at the beginning will stick with you for a long time. On guitar, hand positions, picking hand problems or the pentatonic scale rut are common obstacles.

Other options such as BandHappy, a website where you can sign up to webcam lessons with professional and famous musicians, or Rockstar Academy which uses tutorial videos and graphics keeps learning exciting and fresh.

It’s a cliché, but soul and passion for music can’t be taught. We both started playing our instruments because of the creativity you can harness and express. Individualism, like so many great musicians have, has to come from musical discovery by simply listening to what interests you.

To answer my earlier question, I probably would be a better guitarist today if I had lessons. But would I be any more passionate about music? I doubt it.