Should a new guitarist take lessons? This question has thrived within the musical community forever, but with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing quarantine, many have decided to take up an instrument with their free time. Kerr Hall’s title as home of Northeastern University’s Living Learning Community makes it a great place to seek answers to this question, in addition to searching the internet for varying blog posts and news articles.
Both answers to this question have very justified viewpoints. The argument that taking lessons is better is based around the idea that it’s the best way to build the basis for technique and understanding concepts such as music theory. The side backing teaching oneself is also valid. The draws toward that include increased creativity, as well as less commitment, as you can give yourself some time to decide whether or not you’re serious about learning.
Lena Hildrich, an amateur guitarist and resident of Kerr Hall, is essentially self-taught, but would do things differently again, “if I had to do it again, I’d take lessons. I feel like I do things wrong and I don’t really know much music theory when it comes to specifically guitar, so if I actually learned more about the instrument itself rather than trying to earn songs, I’d consider myself a better guitar player”
In “Being self-taught vs Taking Lessons,” a blog post by musician Lance Vallis, the author juggles both sides of the argument, unable to choose one over the other. “Everyone works to find his or her own way when it comes to learning guitar. In the end though, it doesn’t matter how you learn, as long as you get to where you want to be.”
Vallis however does provide solid arguments for both sides. Having taken lessons himself, he is eternally grateful for what they’ve given him. In his blog, he writes, “There’s just no way I would have ever gotten to the level I did without teachers helping me out and showing the way.” On the flip side, he understands the damper lessons put on creativity. “Not that anyone forces you to sound a certain way, but when you all have the same teachers, the same courses, and the same graduation requirements, there’s more of a chance you’re all going to sound the same, or at least similar.”
In the blog “No-BS guitar”, author Johnny pushes his preference toward teaching yourself. “Teaching yourself guitar AIN’T a bad idea. It’s smart.” Johnny goes about discrediting so called “guitar teachers,” claiming that only the guitarist themselves will be able to push themselves to learn, writing “Learning the guitar is ALWAYS self-taught in the end. When you really look at it… all a teacher can do for someone is ‘point to a mountain.’ The student (you) still has to be the one to climb it.”
Johnny’s piece is formatted in a humorous way, with short sentences and capitalized words, leaving the reader not entirely able to take his piece seriously. He compares learning guitar to learning to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, pushing the argument that if you can learn the process of sandwich making, playing guitar wouldn’t be any different.
Liam Gibler, a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Portland Oregon, is one on the side of taking lessons. “Without lessons, I struggle to find the motivation to continue learning and playing,” he said in an interview. Gibler also emphasizes the value of lessons that are geared toward your own priorities, as when the teacher teaches how you want to be taught, you lose less creative potential. “My teacher lets me pick any song to learn and he goes about teaching me, or even if I want to focus on learning something like music theory or scales, he’s open to that.”
Arien Wagen is an established musician and resident of Kerr Hall. With a musical background dating to age 3, he has been a long-standing member of the musical community. A multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter, Wagen said in an interview, “I think [new guitarists] should start by trying to teach themselves.” He highlights the countless resources on the internet including YouTube videos as well as content from music teachers, as enough to get your foot in the door of the guitar world. Wagen however emphasizes the benefits of lessons as well, “I do think that having a professional teacher can be really beneficial to you especially if you want to become a more technical player.”
Although these arguments from either said are entirely valid and credible, it is important to note the potential bias in different writers’ work on the topic. While reading both Lance Vallis and Johnny’s work, one should note that these two are music teachers in addition to bloggers. Vallis remains relatively neutral throughout his work, giving both lessons and self-education equal weight, but in Johnny’s piece, it’s clear he is self-promoting in addition to giving his opinion. The conclusion of his piece reads, “I show you how to pick choice B in my No B.S. Guitar Newsletter.”
In understanding that these writers are coming from a hint of financial motivation, trying to recruit people to their online newsletters or lessons, readers should stay aware of their goals. It can be hard to find the correct answers on the internet as so many opinions vary and some people offering advice are more in it for themselves than their readers.
No one person is the same, as some depend on lessons to keep them on their toes, while others prefer the freedom of learning at their own pace. There are endless benefits to both taking lessons immediately or utilizing the internet and other resources to play. There is also the option presented by Wagen, involving beginning on your own and only pursing lessons if so desired. In conclusion, there may never be an end to this debate, and it is up to individuals to decide how they’d like to pursue their guitar playing.