Learning on your own vs. having a teacher
By Janus Buch
As a full time guitar teacher the founder of my own guitar school I meet people all the time who have been trying to teach themselves without really getting anywhere. I’m pushed by what it is about the guitar that makes people think it’s easy to learn on their own. Maybe it’s the extreme amount of youtube videos or the tabulature system or just the fact that basic guitar playing might look easy, that makes people think they can do it on their own. The fact is though, that having a teacher will save you a lot of time, even more frustrations and in some cases money as well. Read this article to find out why.
Yngwie did not take lessons - why should I?
The short answer is, you’re not Yngwie. The slightly longer answer is, that even though Yngwie did nit take formal lessons he is of an very musical family and both parents and Yngwie’s siblings are playing at a professional level. It does not take anything away from his accomplishments on the guitar or in his music career. It does however mean that he did in fact learn music from somebody, as we all do. Just because we have not attended formal lessons does not mean, that we are self-taught. Everybody stands on the shoulders of the people who have came before them and by simply listening to music you cannot help but to learn something.
There is no reward or pride for struggling and doing things on your own.
At the end of the day, all that matters is how things sound when you play your instrument. Nobody cares if you have taken lessons or not. One of the common things notice among younger students is the fact that a lot of people pride themselves for not taking lessons. As if the fact that they were able to teacht themselves, means anything for the audience. The only times where that fact means something, is if your guitar playing sounds horrible, and if you haven’t taken any lessons, chances are that it does. A good and experienced teacher can shave years of the time it takes you to learn the guitar.
Get good, get paid jobs and deduct your lesson tuition
If you’re serious about your guitar playing and get a good instructor to help you, you will quickly get to the point where you can start giggin’. An experienced instructor will be able to help you get paying jobs as well as real life experience. On top of this, you will be able to deduct your lesson tuition and save money in taxes. All of this becomes a lot easier if you have the help of someone who knows what they are doing and who can show you the way. A good instructor will be worth his or her weight in gold, saved time and saved frustration.
About the author: Janus Buch has a bachelors degree in musicology and he has been teaching guitar for a living for the past 5 years. HIs approach is somewhat different from the “average” guitar teacher and you will find this out for yourself if you contact Bredballe Guitarskole for a free introduction lesson. Janus has been operating in Vejle for the past year offering the best Value for money Vejle Guitar Undervisning. If you don’t believe me, come in for a free lesson and find out for yourself.