The Guitar...

[Peter Williams]

I've been getting bass lessons with a formal teacher for the last year at $15/half hour. So $10/half hour is pretty good.

[sw204me]

Well spoke with my friend some more at the party he was throwing tonight and he showed me his many guitars and his keyboards and other cool studio gadgets. He said he wants to cover the basics on a piano as its easier to learn it on that, then just apply it to the guitar. Also showed me a bunch of his music books hes gonna let me borrow to read and go through. Also said a cool thing to do is once you start thinking your getting the hang of it, hes got some really cool recording software and equipment, he wants to record me playing and just put it on a MP3 so we can play it back and I can hear how it actually sounds, not just how I THINK it sounds when I am playing it. All in all I'm hella stoked!

[Swingline0.0.1]

That sounds cool- my friend has a bunch of MIDI stuff (she records and arranges music for a living!).

I've been playing for a few years, and I'm always amazed at how easy popular music is to play. When I started, Nirvana was cool! It depends on what kind of music you like- country music is usually just 3 chords (especially the older stuff), and it's tons of fun to play.

Around here, you're looking at $20-30 per hour for professional lessons, so I would say that's fair... but again, it's about what you want to do with your playing. Do you just want to be able to show off at some parties, or actually learn the theory part and be able to play jazz or something more improvisational? All my brother does is learn the chorus and maybe a solo for whatever is out, then plays it for his friends.

I also have an acoustic (classical style) and I sort of mess around with classical music. It's also fun to learn some of the unplugged versions of popular songs.

[sw204me]

well, went and got it all. Also got a 10% discount just for being a Full Sail student. What you all think? Got everything for $207, the stand was $15.00 and the combo pack was $200.00:

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59321.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59331.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59371.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59341.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59351.jpg

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v7...=101_59361.jpg

[MasonC2K]

I started playign in '93. No formal triaing. Just a friends help and a lot a tab. Used to play a lot of Metallica. Love hard rock and metal stuff but I like some accoustic. Haven't been able to really play much lately though. I am more than slightly rusty.

[Kennyxemerson]

i'm 18 and i've been playing for 11 years.
those prices you listed were pretty awesome in my opinion.

[sw204me]

think im gonna take lessons from the store. first one is free and after that is $20 a half hour, but I have a feeling i would learn a lot more with them then with the guy from school.

[West Coast Jungle]

with your bad self! Sounds like you are ready to rip it up! Have fun and keep on rocking! Music is Life

[cassandra]

Looks like you're ready to rock! Just remember to keep trying, take it slow and make reasonable goals for yourself so you can attain them and get satisfaction to keep going...and keep practicing! I found setting a regular schedule when I was actively playing* helped force me to stay on it.

*While I did take a couple guitar and piano lessions in there, I took private flute lessons for 8 years growing up and played in the high school band and orchestra. I now own three different flutes; a piccolo, a flute and an alto flute, I think my favorite of the three. =) I drag it out and play occasionally but I've lost my chops and breath control, hehe.

As with any musical instrument and the practice thereof, remember the "sonic" feelings of your friends, family and neighbors; playing loudly, late, excessively during times of the day or week that makes them grumpy will diminish their support for you, hehe. =)

[anthrpicdecadnce]

do what i did:
Teach yourself