did you take music lessons?

[volsball]

Did anyone here ever take lessons for the instrument that they play now? I took piano lessons when I was in 2nd grade, but it was boring to me then, Now I can't play piano , but I wish I could. I play guitar, which I never took lessons for.

[brandondrury]

I've never gotten a lesson for any musical instrument. There is a fine line that lessons must walk. There is a point where creativity gets smashed like high heels to the crotch with some lessons. Then again, there is an entirely excessive amount of sloppiness that tends to be reinforced with the self taught.

Brandon

[richiebee]

I took trumpet lessons during high school and became quite a decent player (started playing at age 12). I also studied music theory at high school too. I got very high marks in exams, but it was basic. I'm very behind on theory now, and would like to improve that area more than any other.

Stopped the lessons when I left school (1985) and started playing trumpet in jazz combos and rock groups. Still am now...

I'm a much better musician now than I ever was before.

Never studied any other instrument sadly. I can play some basic keyboard stuff, but not well enough to gig as a keyboard player. Wish I could play the guitar (I have one, but can't get my fingers into the weird formations to make good chords!).

[volsball]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

I've never gotten a lesson for any musical instrument.? There is a fine line that lessons must walk.? There is a point where creativity gets smashed like high heels to the crotch with some lessons.? Then again, there is an entirely excessive amount of sloppiness that tends to be reinforced with the self taught.

Brandon

Yes, it's ahrd to be creative when you are playing those silly little songs they teach you, but it probably does help to learn the basic notes, etc..

[brandondrury]

I do believe that having a strong, rigid musical background is a plus for anyone wanting to make music. I find myself always wishing I remembered some of my 8th grade music class fundamentals. It would help at times when making records.

The secret is to learn the rules and know when you are breaking them, I think. I read an article about BT (electronica guy who did Fast and the Furious score among others). He was a mega classical guy when he was 10 or something. By the time he was 20, he was dominating electronic music and basically through all the classical training out the window. I'd argue that he through none of it out the window, he just wanted to play a different style of music.

Wish I could play the guitar (I have one, but can't get my fingers into the weird formations to make good chords!).

Ha! You knew music theory and play a real instrument, but the impossible "F" bar chord has you stumped! Ha! Ha! Ha! (world takeover voice).

Brandon

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

He was a mega classical guy when he was 10 or something.? By the time he was 20, he was dominating electronic music and basically through all the classical training out the window.?

I don't use my learned theory when I'm writing (much to my band's annoyance - they all graduated from the music school that I work at!). I just write what sounds good to me.

I couldn't stand being told that parallel fifths were bad. I love them! They're not bad - they're another tone colour to add to your collection.

R.

[brandondrury]

What's a parallel fifth?

Brandon

[richiebee]

Originally Posted by brandondrury

What's a parallel fifth?

Brandon

Harmonies running a fifth apart for more than one note.

R.

[brandondrury]

I'm really stupid about harmonies. Isn't the standard rock power chord a fifth? E and B respectively.

Brandon

[TAlderson]

Yeah, but a parallel fifith is if you're playing a melody and a harmony, and the melody goes down say from a C to a B, and the harmony goes down from a G to a F#, that's a parallel fifth.

The 5-1 chord progression is still allowed, as is a melody and a harmony in a fifth for one note.

-Tyler