My Path To Become A Guitarist

[mrjazzamatic]

I decided to end my weekly private lessons and do self study after two months of lessions at $95 per month. I completed my master degree by correspondence so I should not have a problem with the Hal Leonard Guitar Method books and DVD. Learning the guitar take daily practice using a good guitar method system. I love to research topics of interest and I came across the Guitar College home study program at guitarcollege.com. Do anyone have information to share about the Guitar College. I am planning my next phase of study after I completed Hal Leonard Guitar Method books1, 2, and 3. I am now on book two and is having no problem reading notations. My goal is to become a jazz guitarist. Oh yeah; I just turn 50 and been playing for three months. Please give me your advise.

Thanks
Jazzamatic

[Jakeweiser]

Well, it's a very general thing. It's easiest for everyone here who plays if that when you have, or if you have a specific question then you should ask it instead of general advice. If you do want general advice about guitar and jazz guitar then I would suggest doing a forum search on the Musician 2 Musician section of this site because there are years and years worth of information by very talented people answering questions asked by people like yourself, who are beginners.

However, I would warn you that books are only a small tool. If you've been playing for 3 months and have gotten to book two I have a feeling that you really didn't practice everything in book one as much as your really ought to. I'm only marganially familiar with the Leonard Series. However I've been teaching and playing long enough to know that the fundamentals of the music take more then 3 months to learn.

Here is the purpose of a teacher. Teachers of music are sounding boards and hopefully honest ones who will tell you what is wrong or right in your practice. I can understand the expense of $100 a month, seems pretty steep. In fact seems like the guy might have under charged you ;). But hey, I don't know your teacher.

Anyway, Stopping weekly lessons might be of benefit but lessons all together I wouldn't recommend for a novice to the music. Books are 1 way communication devices that cannot answer specific, personally crafted questions.

Also, the books are limited. Hopefully these books stress listening to recordings and transcription of jazz lines/solos. If they don't then you should start transcribing on your next practice session after your warm up (if you have one).

Best of luck! You're in for a wonderful experience. Sometimes i wish I could start over again hahah

[bassist]

$95 per month!
i take two sets of bass lessons per week when i'm at school. one teacher charges $85 per lesson, the other charges $100 per lesson. together, that is $185 per week!
fortunately, if you are a section leader in a departmental ensemble, my school will pay for your lessons. it pays BIG time to be rhythm section leader in jazz band and bass section leader in orchestra. but i know if i wasn't section leader, i would take lessons with cheaper teachers!
dan

[edrowland]

fwiw, I did 1 hr lessons every two weeks for a while. I think it's a great format. You can deal with units of info in an hour that you can't deal with in 1/2 hr; and you can actally do something meaninful with what you're being fed in two weeks owrth of practice. (And have time to explore yourself).

[jazzfingers19]

Man, with my current guitar teacher the cost of a lesson is worth the price of admission alone just for the inspirational talks.

Although, it is good to take time to sort shit yourself.

95 a month is dirt cheap if the teacher is good.

[Jakeweiser]

Depending on markets; a "made" teacher, someone with experience of many years, degree or degrees, successful recording/gigging career will range from 40 to 100 bucks an hour, contracted to weekly lessons months at a time.

So, for example what I would charge for lessons would be half what you paid. BUT, lets be clear here, I'm not saying you made a bad choice stopping lessons. Seems to me your teacher was not really charging much, most guys I know who give Jazz lessons won't go below 50 an hour in general. After all, there aren't enough gigs to balance it all out ;)

[TheSeanKelly]

from reading your post and based on my own experience, it will be very hard to continue to progress on your own (once you get to a certain point). A teacher is an invaluable tool as far as critiquing your playing and pointing you in the right direction.

Self teaching will take a LOT of discipline and insight to the instrument, which you may or may not have after 3 months (discipline, sure cuz of your schooling and age and such, but maybe not insight to the instrument as far as where you are, where you need to be, and what steps you need to take to get there).

Also, I know that even though I do have a teacher there are even times when I'm confused about where I should go with things...I couldn't even imagine trying to get through those practice blocks on my own.

[thumpyoldman]

Howdy all, new to forum. Was a guitar player for years, long story. anyhow... There isn't a book out there that will teach you to play. You'll learn plenty of different cords and scales and all the bones of the art but nothing you'll really use. Unless you plan on playing like a student. I've heard music majors play 'rock' music. Let's just say it was REALLY bad. Now before anybody gets worked up about what I've said you need to be truthful. Did you learn your feel, your chops, your groove out of a book? A good teacher is worth his or her weight in gold. If your spending cash to sit down, play out of a book, times up go home....you might as well stay home. A good teacher will help and show you the techniques you need to achieve your feel.

A few things about learning to play the guitar.
The hand that holds the pick is THE most important hand. This is where your feel and phrasing comes from.

Playing by ear is more important than playing out of a book. Easier to start than you think. Start by playing something you already know. Christmas carols are great for this. To build your chops find a jazz song you like, put it on a cassette and learn it one note at a time. Always be truthful with yourself. If it's wrong find the right note.

You will play what you practice. If all you practice are scales that's all your going to play. If you practice George Benson, Santana or anyone you really like that's how you'll play.

And last but not least, play with people better than you. Play along with favorite recordings. Solo along with John Coltrane or Monk. You don't have to play what they're playing. Play with them.

You'll learn more about real playing in 3 months of this than in three years out of a book.

Looking forward to hearing good things form you.
thumpy