I got my first guitar in about 95 and have been totally self taught. I stagnated massively for around 15 years in the middle when I infrequently played then got frustrated all I could do was some Nirvana power chords.
Started playing again around 5 years ago and had my guitar professionally setup - what a world of difference that made! I’ve made decent progress since but it’s still all just the odd riff or solo here and there and there’s a lot I can do a lot better. Using YouTube videos is only getting me so far and some 1 on 1 I hope will do the trick.
My wife started taking piano lessons and it inspired me to do the same for guitar. I’m sure it will be helpful even if they’re going to rip my technique up and start again.
Have you had lessons or are you self taught? What helped the most for your playing?
I’m self taught since COVID so 3 years now. I can defo see the benefits to in person lessons, because I’ve sat with mates and picked things up off them in a drinking scenario, so sitting sober with a pro would be exponentially better.
But I’m self taught at most things and see it as one of my superpowers or something, so I’m quite happy with my progression.
What I’ve found that’s helped improve me though, is listening to other genres of music. I specifically taught myself acoustic fingerstyle because I’m a metal head. Learning a completely different genre to what I listen to usually has opened up music for me. That, and learning some theory.
One of the things i like to do for practice is trying to play along to music videos. My wife controls the TV remote and I just try and work out the song while it’s being played, then forget it and try and play the next song.
Hello fellow COVID player! My experience is much like yours. The most difficult part of guitar for me is music theory. I just haven’t been able to wrap my head around it properly. But I’m getting there slowly.