I got my first guitar in about 95 and have been totally self taught. I stagnated massively for around 15 years in the middle when I infrequently played then got frustrated all I could do was some Nirvana power chords.
Started playing again around 5 years ago and had my guitar professionally setup - what a world of difference that made! I’ve made decent progress since but it’s still all just the odd riff or solo here and there and there’s a lot I can do a lot better. Using YouTube videos is only getting me so far and some 1 on 1 I hope will do the trick.
My wife started taking piano lessons and it inspired me to do the same for guitar. I’m sure it will be helpful even if they’re going to rip my technique up and start again.
Have you had lessons or are you self taught? What helped the most for your playing?
I started learning guitar when I was 30. That was seven years ago. I’ve had private lessons from the start, and approaching it that way was probably the best decision I made.
The teacher sees my strengths and weaknesses. He gives me tips and important impulses. In addition, the lessons put me under pressure to stay on the ball all the time. Even if I wasn’t that motivated or didn’t have time to practice. Through the lessons, this hobby always has its place.
Randy Rhoads took lessons in every town he toured in. He was always looking to learn something new. Never, ever be embarrassed to take lessons, no matter how good or bad you think you are. It’s not a competition, it’s a journey.
I don’t play anymore, but did for about 10 years.
I started with 1-1 lesson, but I think I only kept that up for a year or so.
I think the biggest things you’ll benefit from through 1-1 lessons are:
1 - getting some solid musical theory behind you (a bit of a bore, but useful when you’re trying to self-teach later on, and ultimately foundational to pretty much everything else).
2 - Having someone there who can see, hear, and correct your actual playing technique. Poor technique absolutely ruins you as a musician when it comes to progression and trying to play anything a bit more advanced, because it becomes part of your muscle memory. That’s why it’s so important to slow things right down and play them correctly, with the right technique, and then gradually speed up, rather than jump into playing things at the correct speed, but doing it sloppily. Having an instructor who can observe and correct you in real time will do wonders.
Poor technique absolutely ruins you as a musician when it comes to progression
Practice doesn’t make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. If you practice like crap, you’ll continue to play like crap.
The best technique I’ve learned is to just slow down. Reduce the tempo until you can play it perfectly, then play it perfectly, over and over. Gradually you can increase the tempo, so long as you maintain that perfect composure, then before long you’ll be playing at normal tempo just right.
However, like you say, getting an outside perspective is always important, even if only from time to time.