How did you learn to play guitar (or bass)?

[Tres Aardvarks]

School trained on horn, did it from 5th through 12th grade. Tried guitar, but the guitar at our house was so bad my little hands couldn't hold chords. My sis picked up a bass at a flea market and I started playing it (Especially since I could already read bass clef). Found out about guitar mags with tab, got a cheap Cort from a buddy and learned a bunch of guitar tunes. Pretty much self-taught everything I do.

Fast forward to the last 2 years and I started playing lead guitar with some friends. This time though I said I didn't want to do it from tab, so I forced myself to learn stuff by ear...I use apps on my iPad to slow songs down enough that I can figure out solos even. In just a couple months I developed my ear more than I did all the rest of the time. I also wish I had taken some lessons, as it would have jumped me over some hurdles. For instance, my chordal/music theory knowledge is minimal, and that seriously irks me.

[Feynman]

Come on folks - entertain/enlighten me!

Brooks? Zenmindbeginner? Brother Lathrop? Harry65? JeffRo? Bruce919? Shredmeistermonster? JackC? Etc...

[HSB0531]

I started by listening to records and learning on a nylon string acoustic.

[velorush]

My parents bought it at Sears (along with my guitar).

The album is completely comprehensive, covering All the Chords and Rhthms:

Vocal Accompaniment,

Ballad Styles,

Folk, Country & Western (both kinds),

Rhythm & Blues,

Shuffle Beats.

After giving this a listen, lessons were unnecessary.

[MCChris]

Come on folks - entertain/enlighten me!

Brooks? Zenmindbeginner? Brother Lathrop? Harry65? JeffRo? Bruce919? Shredmeistermonster? JackC? Etc...

Oh all right. Finally got my old man to cave and get me a guitar in 1979. We went to Fiddlers Music on the far east side of Detroit and although I wanted one of the Hamer Sunbursts that were behind the counter (how i fell in love with the brand; the guitars themselves sold me) I ended up with a Mitch-approved Yamaha classical guitar.

There was one condition: that I take proper lessons, so I did at the same music store. My first teacher was Tom Neme, a local player of some renown for having played on the Noah album by the Bob Seger System. First half of the lesson was from the Mel Bay books; second half was learning songs (first one was "Sandman" by America).

Eventually graduated to a Hondo II electric a year later, and a '70s Strat a year after that, at which time I switched to a different teacher at the same store, Tim Allen (not the comedian). I'll always remember his '50s Gibson Junior and the fact that he showed me the pentatonic scale, after which I was off to the races as I could finally play solos that sounded like the ones I dug from rock radio.

Eventually switched to a third teacher at the same store, Chuck Miller, who was the cat's ass in everyone else's opinion but after a few sessions of sitting there doing nothing while he scribbled down modes and transcribed rock songs, I quit lessons in favor of playing in the high school jazz band, which was my first experience with ensemble playing. Of course, it all went irrevocably out the window when I formed a dirty rock band with my buddies in college.

[Jeff R]

I wanted an electric guitar as a pre-teen, after hearing my first Kiss record. My first guitar officially was a very nice loaner acoustic from one of my Dad's friends. It sounded nothing like Ace Frehley's guitar, so it stayed cased under the bed.

When I first heard Van Halen, that was it - now I HAVE to have an electric guitar. My Dad held firm saying learn how to play an acoustic, then we'll get an electric. After butting heads on the issue for a few years, until I was a sophomore in high school, he finally gave in and bought me my first electric, a nice, affordable solidbody made by Takamine.

I finally had my electric and I couldn't put it down. Literally, Other than guitar, my only other real focus was striving to maintain my grades because I feared my guitar would be taken away if my grades fell. I participated in several sports prior to playing guitar. That shit went out the door (except for track, no sprained fingers running). I didn't go on my first real date until I was a senior - my logic leading up to that was why spend $$$ on a meal and a movie for two when I can get more records and tapes to play along with, or I'm that much closer to the elusive Boss Heavy Metal pedal my little Peavey combo desparately needs. Not to mention, I had a guitar and I was getting better at it - I have an avenue to screw girls without pissing away money dating them.

I took lessons initially from a neighbor who happened to own a nice local music store, but they weren't paying off because I wasn't learning the songs I wanted to learn. But he taught me basic power chord stuff and basic scales. I used that knowledge to lwear out the vinyl and cassettes, first in my bedroom and later my college dormroom. Also while I was in high school, we had a clique of friends who all started playing rock instruments at the same time and we were jamming all weekend, every weekend. We sucked, badly, at first, but we got a little better, then a little better, you know how it goes. At the same time, I got my first fake ID when I was 16 or so, so I could get into a couple of local blues clubs that had weekly open jams. Believe me, if a novice guitarist wants a crash course in learning guitar, get him on stage with a bunch of old skool bluesmen. Something about fear of being hit by a pool stick or a beer mug that makes you hit those chords and intonate those bends perfectly every time.

By the time I was in college, I was playing in bands (hitting virtually every popular music genre in the process at some time) and until about three or so years ago, I was always either in a band or in between bands. Another great tool for learning: If you're a rock and blues player, get a gig with a country band. Then play with a dance band. The cross-pollenation things does wonders for your playing.

[hamerhead]

When I was 5, I wanted a guitar for Christmas. I got a plastic toy guitar that year, while my older brother got a 'real' one (which I wasn't allowed to touch, and he never learned to play). At 11 or 12 I worked de-tasseling corn to buy a guitar, and spent six months having my brother-in-law show me cowboy chords, and the rest, as they say.......was a lot of learning by ear (Get it? Corn? Ear?).

What helped the most was not being able to play Jimmy Page solos note-for-note. At 14 or so, out of frustration, I was just making up solos that would fit. In the long run it worked out OK, because I have a hint of my own thing going on in there. That and a pretty good ear have taken me all the way to my basement.

[Rodan]

When I was 12 or 13, I began taking lessons from my cousin, who says now that she was just a few lessons ahead of me! She had a thing for Blues and showed me the pentatonic scale, some Stones, Freddie King, Zeppelin and Aerosmith... Her brother also played, but at a pretty high level, and showed me "Godzilla", "Flying Turkey Trot", "Rock Bottom", "Emerald" and a few other tunes right square in my sights.

From that point, I began pulling things down by ear - "Dr Music", "ETI", some Sabbath - and gradually, plugging pentatonics and half-step/whole-step wandering into key signatures, for something close to lead guitar. A couple of intriguing scales from Mel Bay books gave me more models around which to tune my ear to melody.

But I was playing 2-string power chords for everything. I was slavish about playing things cleanly, mimicking inflection really studiously, but it took me a long time to feel comfortable playing full, or even 3 and 4 string chords. I'd say the problem was part underdeveloped technique, part lack of instruction and part desire to play Sabbath/UFO/BOC and other metal the way I heard it emotionally. My lack of chordal sophistication has become less problematic, bit by bit, but it STILL dogs me, quite honestly.

My college bands were alternately drudging and great. Some of the time, I was the Private Perfectionist compensating for a drummer and bassist who couldn't play...together and other times, later on, I got to play with several guys WAY above my level. The latter context allowed me to relax and push mySELF a bit more.

These days, I make some use of web tutorials, but spend a lot of time figuring out melodies (from almost any source) that appeal to me. More than seeking out learning (I've never even had a designated, drop-D guitar), I fight against my limited chord vocabulary to try and put actual music together. All the same, guitar is probably my better voice, even now.

Geez. True confessions. Hope some of this resonates, anyway.

[Tres Aardvarks]

... have taken me all the way to my basement.

You know that the next step is? Follow me to the holy land: someone else's basement!!!! Whooop!

[bcsride]

I love this place, and the nerds that frequent it.

That shit went out the door (except for track, no sprained fingers running). I didn't go on my first real date until I was a senior - my logic leading up to that was why spend $$$ on a meal and a movie for two when I can get more records and tapes to play along with, or I'm that much closer to the elusive Boss Heavy Metal pedal my little Peavey combo desparately needs.

[Thundersteel]

That and a pretty good ear have taken me all the way to my basement.

I don't even have a basement--you're in the big leagues!

[Submariner85]

I took guitar in high school. What a complete waste of time that was. Later in life, self taught. No expert by far but fairly happy with where I am now.

[ET_KenW]

I'm still trying to find the best method. I've tried self learning, private lessons, and videos and usually give up after a while. I need to just sit down and figure out what I really want to accomplish and focus on that.

[killerteddybear]

In my mid teens (the 70s for you youngsters) I picked up bass because Rocktuna started learning guitar. I shamelessly admit to sibling rivalry.

It's always been a combination of play-along and self motivated theory studies.

I've taught myself enough basic theory (mostly the intervals in major and minor scales) to be able to tackle most music.

One thing that really helped was playing in bar jam sessions - do it if you have the chance! Learning to listen and think on your feet goes a long way!

[moozak]

well, my father was a professional country musician waaaaayyyy back when in the 40's and 50's. in fact, he appeared several times on the old Midwestern Hayride program (which was later replaced by Hee Haw). somewhere in the 60's he started managing music stores and from there went on to run his own store for many years... it was a really cool place to hang out while i was young and growing up... all through the 70's... i ran into a LOT of cool musicians (it was in the college town of Muncie, Indiana and was called Rocky's Music Center)... many of which were kind enough along the way to give me some tips now and then. somewhere in the late 70's i took some theory lessons from a local guy, a fantastic player with a real 59 les paul by the name of Skip Frye (who later moved to florida and is now listed on the Blues Hall of Fame website):

http://www.blueshalloffame.com/Local_Blues_Talent/Local_Blues_Talent_of_Florida.html

from there i just kept playing in bands and learning from other musicians... and also continued to be self-taught from books, tapes, whatever i could get my hands on. in fact, i still do that from time to time (mostly youtube now).

it was a cool way to grow up and i have really enjoyed playing guitar for many years now - and i met some great players along the way! some were pro, most were just local players... which i found could mostly play better than most of the pro players.

[dragan]

parents ( mostly my mother ) made me take piano lessons from the age of 7 until I was 10 , when I convinced them to let me switch to guitar . first guitar lesson Oct 31 1965 , took years of guitar lessons 4 different teachers until i was 16 . learned to read music through the 7 th pos . started teaching guitar around 1972 while still in High school & realized while I could read music pretty well I didnt really understand it well . after college & short stint with a band playing no texas / so oklahoma , I returned to lessons with a jazz guitarist who showed me how scales ,keys , & harmonized scales work & also took a couple of part writing / theory classes at the jr college ..thats how I learned what I know . through the late 70s & 80s I played around 150 nights / year & taught lessons ( I was living on money made playing guitar , that also was a " learning" exp ) . I think I learned as much from teaching guitar as I did from taking lessons. having to communicate / verbalize musical concepts is an education in its self . anywho thats how I learned

[elduave]

1) Kiss Easy Guitar songbook. Chord diagrams.

2) Older dude in my building shows me bar chords, and Rush.

3) Picked up pentatonic scale.

Lucky to have a good sense of theory without really knowing theory, and blessed with a good ear.

[Brooks]

1) Kiss Easy Guitar songbook. Chord diagrams.

2) Older dude in my building shows me bar chords, and Rush.

3) Picked up pentatonic scale.

Lucky to have a good sense of theory without really knowing theory, and blessed with a good ear.

this! kinda.

took lessons when i 1st started in 5th/6th grade; became obsessed, picked it up quickly. changed teachers and took some classical lessons in 6th/7th grade. quit lessons & started on clarinet (then bass clarinet ) in 6th/7th grade, quit that by 9th grade. kept learning guitar by ear & guitar player magazine. took music theory/jazz improv/jazz band in jr college. studied jazz & classical @ U of North Texas, but quit the jazz program at the end of my jr year due to apathy & a lack of sight reading chops (still salvaged a bachelors degree that is 3/4 music).

mostly learned by playing gigs in bands from jr high up thru last weekend, primarily hard rawk covers but some original bands and some funk/jazz/top 40 gigs too.

[zenmindbeginner]

in 1983, I wanted to play guitar really bad but was only 9 or 10 and didn't have a job. My brother received a bass guitar from my Dad that year and started to mess around on it. Dad would go on to give my bro and I some sort of "lessons". My Dad would let me use his guitar during the lesson. He taught us the Asian guitar riff heard in the opening to "Turning Japanese" and the 4 note per string chromatic scale. Basically, I didn't learn anything cool or useful and had to give my Dad his guitar back at the end of every lesson which was retarded.

Then, 1984 hit and RATT, Motley Crue, Scorpions and all of that earlier metal and hard rock had turned into mainstream MTV schlock and I ate it up with a fucking spoon.

But had no guitar. My brother put his bass in the closet and just didn't play it at all that year. I however BURNED to play the guitar sooooo bad but had no outlet. My brother and I returned to NC the following Summer and my Dad continued the lessons but allowed me to play the guitar between practices. He taught us the "boogie woogie" melody, taught us to swing and taught us the bar major chord and the intro to Proud Mary. He also gave me the guitar to take back to Chicago. The guitar was an embarrassment in the days of pointy shredders because it was a Norlin Epiphone Wilshire with covered pickups and a god awful body shape and pickguard. I played the fuggg outta it though.

Still had no real decent lessons or anything at that point.

My mom paid for my brother to have lessons that following school year. He would come home with the lessons on tape and he was paired up with a guitar student so I was able to play his tapes and use his notes to start jamming on my own.

Still no real decent lessons but I was learning as much as I could get my hands on. I soon discovered chord charts and went on to learn a little music schooling like the notes of the scales and whole notes and all of that shite.

I had been saving my money from birthdays and Christmas for a couple of years at that point because me goal was to have a decent guitar. I begged my Mom to pitch in some and take me shopping for an axe after that Christmas season was over.

She said that she would think about it.

Well, the Bears won the Super bowl that year and she took my brother and I to a big ol' party where we were like the only kids. My mon was cool and treated us like little adults and wanted to know my picks for the gambling "pool" at the party. I did four picks and went about stuffing my face with as much party food as possible (I LOOOOVED FOOD as a child and sometimes that was all that I was interested in). Well, I won 3 out of the 4 quarters and went home $150 richer that night. My mom took this as a sign and pitched in the money and we bought my red Scarab II with that money... my Mom ended up pitching in around $170 or so we just scored so to speak.

Well, that guitar student dropped out of my bros class and there was an opening for me and I ended up getting lessons for about 3 months before he kicked me out (he didn't particularly like hair metal and I kept up with the RATT, Dokken and stuff... he got to the point where he couldn't stand me).

Those were the only lessons I've ever had. His method of teaching consisted of asking me to bring in songs I wanted to learn on cassette with me. He would then learn them quickly like a savant and teach them to me in a FUCKING HURRY!!!! He taught me some shit like what it meant to augment or diminish, the major and minor scales and that was it. No advice on technique, how to play, theory or anything else.

Gary from the Sound Post in Mt. Prospect... they were a Hamer dealer but I didn't buy my Scarab from them.

So, I just had my Mom buy me "Guitar For The Practicing Musician" when the issues had songs in it I wanted to learn.

I've had no real learnin' and am COMPLETELY FUCKING jealous of you fuckers that had parents with money who bought you decent lessons and just fucking gave you nice gear. My Mom did all that she could do for me on her waitress income... God bless her for doing all that she could.

I consider myself "self taught" but this is the actual long story behind it. Thank y'all for indulging me. : )

[Feynman]

For what it's worth Zen, you more than paid back your Mom's sacrifices - you're one of the best players I've heard. It was a guitar in the right hands.

I'm sure I've told my story here before, but I'll recap since I started the thread.

I always wanted to play guitar, but we were poor and my father had a pretty stern policy against useless things like music and literature (my two favorite things). There's no way in hell I could have gotten a guitar or lessons.

When I was 25, I was in the Air Force and working at a coffee house in the evenings. A guitar playing friend from the coffee house gave me the Yamaha he used through his music degree, on the condition that I promised to learn to play someday. It sat in my apartment for over a year (he had since moved out of state), but I finally decided to buy myself guitar lessons for my birthday. My first lesson was the evening of my 27th birthday, and I was hooked in no time. I played that Yamaha for years before I was in a position to buy something nicer, but that was a pretty great guitar anyway. I only recently found a deserving home for it which I'm very happy about, but I had logged thousands of hours on that guitar over the last sixteen years. It was bittersweet to see it go, but far more sweet than bitter.

I got pretty decent with the ole Yamaha, so I feel like with some effort I can be decent at electric someday too. I really like theory, and fingerstyle anything, and Bach and Bossa Nova and jazz and flamenco and...well, everything. Unfortunately, between work and night school and a bunch of kids, practice time is next to zero. The things I learn are given no time to reach my fingers...it's very frustrating. Someday I'll actually finish school and have some time on my hands to work on improving. I suppose until then I'll just hack away in my spare moments, try out new guitars and chat with you lovely people.

Thanks for listening.