DS(15) learning the guitar. Does he need lessons?

[mybestchildismycat]

DS(15) has been teaching himself the electric guitar for the past month using a couple of different apps. I think he's also watching YouTube videos.

In the past he has lost interest in hobbies etc quite quickly, but he's properly into this and is spending a lot of his free time practicing, which is great, and seems to be making progress!

No one else in the family is remotely musical, so I'm not sure how important it is to have actually hands on lessons with someone, especially when you're first learning. He says he doesn't want any, and I definitely wouldn't want to force it on him, but if people who know more than me about this think it would make a massive difference to him I'd like to gently encourage him to at least consider it, because he is really motivated to learn.

Thanks!

If he's happy doing it by himself and has refused lessons, then I think you've got your answer. Don't waste your money on something he doesn't want (and you do say he's got form for dropping things). He may get to a stage where he can't progress further without help, and if you've made it clear that lessons are on offer if and when he wants them, then he may decide that he wants to go that route. However, plenty of very good guitarists have taught themselves to play just by trial and error and it's not the worst thing in the world, as long as he is happy. He may pick up a few bad habits, but honestly, so what?

Thanks for your reply, you've confirmed what I was thinking really. It's good to hear that it is perfectly possible to teach yourself - as I said I am clueless so I wasn't sure. I'll just let him know the offer is there if and when he'd like to try it, and then let him crack on!

When my son started playing guitar by himself at 13 (with a ‘beginner’ guitar) I said to him, if you’re still playing at 16 I’ll buy you whatever guitar you want for your birthday.

I thought he’d pack it up but he kept going! Fortunately the guitar he chose was ‘only’ £300…

He’s still playing 10 years later and has five guitars, a couple of basses and a keyboard plus loads of amps and effects pedals.

@AlecTrevelyan006 , wow that's great that he's stayed so committed to it! Did he ever have any formal lessons or did he just keep going teaching himself?

I think Eric Clapton was self taught, well before YouTube tuition!

DD1 has taught herself guitar using apps and YouTube. I know that her favourite app is a monthly subscription (but as a legacy user she does not need to pay).
So I would perhaps offer to put money towards that if he definitely doesn't want lessons

That's great he's found his thing. As pp have said just leave the offer there if he feels he needs lessons in the future but it sounds like he's doing fine just now. Music can such a good release and for some, lessons might take the fun out of it. My kids enjoy their lessons but whatever suits your DC.

One of my lads taught himself from YouTube videos and guitar tab. His big brother who had lessons helped him occasionally. They're both at an equal standard of skill and play different styles completely. As long as he knows that they're on the table should he want them, that's enough.

@FluffytheGoldfish which app is your dd’s favourite? Been trying to find a good one for dd who is also self teaching, thanks.

If he does change his mind, support him. Many people play guitar self taught.

All those guitar players from back in the day taught themselves. All you need is motivation and time!

@Thesoundofmusic23 Ultimate guitar tabs. Apparently they have a website too. Can't get anymore info from her atm as she is in full on study mode for exams. I would say she has been using it for at least 7 years.

https://www.ultimate-guitar.com/

A few lessons is a good idea to get some basics, that's what I'm doing.

Mostly I have enjoyed the game "rocksmith" on xbox. It's like guitar hero but you plug in your actual guitar and learn songs as well as training games. Really fun.

@mybestchildismycat Ds taught himself acoustic guitar, started in the summer holidays after GCSEs, still plays now and he is 20, so almost 4 years. He has learned from a mixture of YouTube, a subscription for lessons but also another subscription for improving your musical ear. He learned all the music theory as he is not a chord strummer but a picker so plays individual strings.

The best thing about any online lesson whether free or paid for is they get to choose when it takes place rather than a set time every week, plus they can do more than one if they are feeling like they want more that day too. Honestly, Youtube has an absolute wealth of people to learn from and you can do that for free.

Thank you @AlecTrevelyan006 @FluffytheGoldfish

DS now 19 started teaching himself ukelele following a big obsession with rock band or one of those games aged 13. He moved onto guitar. He has never had a lesson but got himself through a couple of exams to grade 4 before losing interest in the exam process. He did get a distinction Btec in music performance taken as an additional qualification in sixth form along with his 3 A levels and chose the most heavily weighted piece in difficulty to perform. He has also played in a couple of bands.

Sounds like a complete brag (and I am proud of his achievements) but I just wanted to demonstrate how lessons are not necessary unless music grade success would be an advantage. My DS is obsessed with guitars and playing to this day and has a little side hustle in uni buying and re-selling second hand guitars. He loves it and sounds like your child has the bug too! I wish them much joy in their music.

My now adult DS taught himself. He played by ear a lot of the time and never did learn to read music. He ended up playing in a lot of local bands over the years and supported Sham 69 at one point so he did ok without the lessons.

First thing he taught himself to play? The jingle on the washing machine….. 😂

DS is an electric guitarist (at grade 8 level but hates exams so we never bothered, just continued with lessons with his amazing teacher) Everyone else baked banana bread in lockdown, DS bought himself a drum kit and taught himself to play drums much to the neighbours delight

He's never had a drum lesson but at a recent gig of his I attended (an actual paying for a ticket type affair) he was praised by several people on his drumming. I would assume he's not technically perfect, and I guess he would struggle to pass the corresponding exams for the level he's currently playing. However this doesn't seem to hold him back and has given him an entire social life and friendship group at uni.

Playing in a group or with friends was what sparked the joy for DS. The lessons he had in guitar have given him the musical knowledge and confidence to try things out (he also plays bass guitar if needed) but the real joy comes from mixing and jamming with like minded people.

My D's only started playing electric guitar at 15. He had some group lessons to get him started. He did grades 1-4 then sadly once he left school for college he gave it up but I'd say the lessons helped. He could play proper songs.

I had classical guitar lessons as a child/teen and got grade 6 long before YouTube and the like had even been imagined!

I now play bass guitar in a band (never had any interest in lead guitar - I could do it but I dont have the ego for it 😉). It obviously made it easier for me to pick up the bass (I did my first paid gig 6 weeks after buying it) and I already had the theory etc. But the technique and feel of the instrument is quite different and it was a while before I no longer played the bass like a classical guitar!

I know a lot of people who play electric guitar and bass who are self taught. Some are much more competent players than me some not. Some you can tell by their technique that they're self taught. Others you can't.

The biggest thing is a love and passion for the instrument, playing it and wanting to get better.

My son is self taught on the bass and, whilst I give him pointers on technique now and again, he's a competent player.

Without lessons, you might develop bad habits (like bass players who play the lower E string with their thumb...) but it's perfectly possible to teach yourself. If he's not interested in doing exams then lessons aren't necessary if he has an aptitude for it.

A lot of musicians are self taught. Most of the ones I know/meet are.

I'd agree though that the best way to improve and get the most out of it is to play with other people.

The only thing I'd suggest is that he looks at form and posture - otherwise he could end up with the slung around the knees position that results in wonky shoulders, back and neck pain and possibly wrist tendinitis when he starts gigging.

Other that that, it's perfectly possible to be a good guitarist without formal lessons.

DD also 15 has self taught herself bass guitar

Sign up to Fender play - they do online lessons. DH has been learning since lockdown and I have dabbled a bit with bass guitar