Self Trained VS Professional Trained Musicians

guitarenthusiast · 11-21-2013, 06:22 PM

What do you think? Abilities and Significance of Untrained Musicians

Jingle Balls · 11-26-2013, 12:00 PM

I self taught myself how to play piano, my grandfather self taught himself how to play guitar and is AMAZING. I think having the ability to self teach yourself is better because I think that way, you are more likely to become more creative with your techniques while playing or even make up things of your own where when you are taught by somebody else/pro taught, you seem to be more likely to follow what you already know. Just my opinion though.

Psychedub Dude · 11-26-2013, 08:54 PM

I would agree that self taught musicians may be a little more creative in a sense, but that doesn't mean the pro taught couldn't be as creative. It's a tough call. Musicians are musicians; self taught or not

I'm self taught Drums, Piano and Vocals. I started with drums; I used to listen to Sublime songs and play to them to learn initially. Bud Gaugh essentially taught me drums haha

Piano I started messing around with and eventually picked up a knack for it. It didn't take much time either. The drums and piano really came very naturally to me. It was like right from the get go they made sense.

I didn't start singing till I started playing guitar which I took one semester class a few years ago that just taught the basics. Stuff like Open Chords, Barr Chords, Blues and Pentatonic Scales. Guitar was the instrument I had a little trouble picking up from the get go. But after this class I took what I learned and went in my own way.

I think I got lucky because my family is full of musicians. My Dad is a gifted self taught guitarist and drummer. My grandma was a really gifted piano player. I think it helps a lot having a musical background in your family. It really goes a long way.

Jingle Balls · 11-26-2013, 10:54 PM

I wasn't saying that pro taught aren't creative. I was just saying that self taught musicians tend to be. There are some self taught artists that aren't very creative either. Creativity depends on the person themselves, self taught or not. Some people just aren't creative. Then again, some are innovators.

Plankton · 11-27-2013, 09:46 AM

It's my experience that trained musicians tend to follow the given rules of their chosen instrument more often, whereas someone self taught will use exploration to get a desired result, and exploration can wield some unexpected results. You could call it creativity, but most often it's just a vehicle for expression either way. Trained or untrained, ability lies within the person holding the instrument and their understanding of music. SOMEONE had to start making the given rules, and it is quite possible there are people that have come afterward that have the same realizations without being told, as the ones who made them.

TheBig3 · 11-27-2013, 10:52 AM

To be self-taunt is fine, but its just a hindrance to yourself. Humans get ahead by stacking knowledge on top of the next generation so they can skip all the trial and error of their ancestors.

I'd wager that trained, uncreative musicians most likely would have never picked an instrument up on their own. But someone who's inclined to explore - trained or not - will explore beyond the confines of the laws of their training.

Plankton · 11-27-2013, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheBig3

To be self-taunt is fine, but its just a hindrance to yourself. Humans get ahead by stacking knowledge on top of the next generation so they can skip all the trial and error of their ancestors.

I'd wager that trained, uncreative musicians most likely would have never picked an instrument up on their own. But someone who's inclined to explore - trained or not - will explore beyond the confines of the laws of their training.

Good point TBT.

I've never actually put much thought into it. I myself have never had a lesson, and just continue down my path blindly, playing by ear. I know my song structuring is weak but the rest of what I do is pretty solid, and that comes from "picking up on" things I personally hear in my own head when I play others works. A "stacking of the knowledge of those artists" would sum it up nicely.

Psychedub Dude · 11-27-2013, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jingle Balls

Creativity depends on the person themselves, self taught or not. Some people just aren't creative. Then again, some are innovators.

Exactly, the instrument is their hands it's entirely up to the musician to use it how they see.

Plankton

Quote:

It's my experience that trained musicians tend to follow the given rules of their chosen instrument more often, whereas someone self taught will use exploration to get a desired result, and exploration can wield some unexpected results. You could call it creativity, but most often it's just a vehicle for expression either way. Trained or untrained, ability lies within the person holding the instrument and their understanding of music. SOMEONE had to start making the given rules, and it is quite possible there are people that have come afterward that have the same realizations without being told, as the ones who made them.

Exploration can definitely lead to a lot of possibilities that someone not inclined to do so could find. It's all open, that's whats so amazing about music. Every musician is different. I think that's why it's so great to jam with others and seeing how one another jams.

My bassist and friend Chris has been getting lessons for 10 years now. He has a wealth of knowledge on the instrument. He knows a lot more about music theory than I do. Yet it doesn't hinder his creativity. He is really great at improvising. It's like you guys said it's all upto the musician and what you do with it.

11-21-2013, 06:22 PM	#1 (permalink)
guitarenthusiast Groupie Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 1	Self Trained VS Professional Trained Musicians What do you think? Abilities and Significance of Untrained Musicians

11-26-2013, 08:54 PM	#3 (permalink)
Psychedub Dude Nowhere Man Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: In a champagne supernova in the sky Posts: 662	I would agree that self taught musicians may be a little more creative in a sense, but that doesn't mean the pro taught couldn't be as creative. It's a tough call. Musicians are musicians; self taught or not I'm self taught Drums, Piano and Vocals. I started with drums; I used to listen to Sublime songs and play to them to learn initially. Bud Gaugh essentially taught me drums haha Piano I started messing around with and eventually picked up a knack for it. It didn't take much time either. The drums and piano really came very naturally to me. It was like right from the get go they made sense. I didn't start singing till I started playing guitar which I took one semester class a few years ago that just taught the basics. Stuff like Open Chords, Barr Chords, Blues and Pentatonic Scales. Guitar was the instrument I had a little trouble picking up from the get go. But after this class I took what I learned and went in my own way. I think I got lucky because my family is full of musicians. My Dad is a gifted self taught guitarist and drummer. My grandma was a really gifted piano player. I think it helps a lot having a musical background in your family. It really goes a long way. __________________ There is only one beer left Rappers screaming all in our ears like we're deaf Tempt me, do a number on the label Eat up all their MC's and drink 'em under the table [B]Last.fm Shadows Of Our Souls

11-27-2013, 09:46 AM	#5 (permalink)
Plankton Just Keep Swimming... Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: See signature... Posts: 7,766	It's my experience that trained musicians tend to follow the given rules of their chosen instrument more often, whereas someone self taught will use exploration to get a desired result, and exploration can wield some unexpected results. You could call it creativity, but most often it's just a vehicle for expression either way. Trained or untrained, ability lies within the person holding the instrument and their understanding of music. SOMEONE had to start making the given rules, and it is quite possible there are people that have come afterward that have the same realizations without being told, as the ones who made them. __________________ See location...

11-27-2013, 10:52 AM	#6 (permalink)
TheBig3 killedmyraindog Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Boston, Massachusetts Posts: 11,172	To be self-taunt is fine, but its just a hindrance to yourself. Humans get ahead by stacking knowledge on top of the next generation so they can skip all the trial and error of their ancestors. I'd wager that trained, uncreative musicians most likely would have never picked an instrument up on their own. But someone who's inclined to explore - trained or not - will explore beyond the confines of the laws of their training. __________________ I've moved to a new address

11-26-2013, 12:00 PM	#2 (permalink)
Jingle Balls Groupie Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 14	I self taught myself how to play piano, my grandfather self taught himself how to play guitar and is AMAZING. I think having the ability to self teach yourself is better because I think that way, you are more likely to become more creative with your techniques while playing or even make up things of your own where when you are taught by somebody else/pro taught, you seem to be more likely to follow what you already know. Just my opinion though.

11-26-2013, 10:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
Jingle Balls Groupie Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 14	I wasn't saying that pro taught aren't creative. I was just saying that self taught musicians tend to be. There are some self taught artists that aren't very creative either. Creativity depends on the person themselves, self taught or not. Some people just aren't creative. Then again, some are innovators.