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Question: When learning a musical instrument, is it always neccessary to get proffesional help!?
What I mean is, do you play better when you receive proffesional help!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
It really comes down to the person!. Even with professional help you can be not too good because you never practice what you are taught!.

Lessons help teach things and monitor you, which would help cut down on any bad habits!.

The bottom line is, you could technically learn faster with a good teacher because they can steer you in the right direction, faster than you discovering it yourself!.

But you can also become a good player by practicing and learning on your own!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

it is funny because one clarinet player had to take an audition in one day and asked someone to teacher who to play three scales!. I offered an answer and I touched on your question!. I played from grade 5 to end of high school!. on going to grade 9 HS in Ont I would go in the morning, play every spare and every chance I got!. even though I was grade 9, I sat in with grade 9, 10,11, 12 and believe it or not the grade 13 band practises!. I would also play up to three to five hours at home!. I would played oboe, bass clarinet and clarinet!. my form of practise was just to play songs I like!. if I had lessons I would have been somebody I would have been a contender!. with out lessons I learned the fingering chart and all the alternate ( different fingerings ) a woodwind music can use to make the same note but I thought nothing after that!. it was only years later long since I joined the real world and never played any more that the alternate fingering and used to make musical phrases which would be difficult to play with the common fingering much much easier when an alternate fingering is used and practise would mean the best fingering choice would become automatic!. however it is your goal where do you want to go with this!. however even if they are stuck in a rut practising by yourself will give you a unique flare!. if you just want to play one song that is one thing if you want to become famous that is another!. I did not become great so maybe I shouldn't be offering you an answer but I think many factors!. determine how good you become!. time practise makes perfect, talent and some thing inside you child prodigies have it people like me don't!. and lessons!. lessons I believe can fast track anything!. every human pursuit has tricks of the trade and you are blessed if some master takes it upon himself to help the little guy!. I would vote lessons!. and a can do attitude!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Not necessarily!. But it may make things a lot easier for you!. For instance, maybe you've run into a problem you aren't able to solve on your own!. Chances are, a good, experienced teacher has seen that same problem before, probably with MANY different students, and has a zillion different ways to explain it or solve it!. Teachers are also good listeners and can give you advice and feedback!. Sometimes, you may not want to hear what they have to say, but you probably NEED to hear it!. Family and friends tend to be biased listeners!. Even if the news isn't good ("You suck! Quit now!"), that might help motivate you to practice harder or focus on problems you might be having!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Hi Fronz,

You have asked a very important question!. Many good musicians have never taken lessons!. Others, like Chick Corea, and Wynton Marsalis, received classical training before they played jazz!.

However, they ALL got professional help!. Anyone can play!.!.!.but you can't get much better if you are not playing with someone who is better than you, or studying with them!.!.!.or both!.

Fortunately, you have lots of options for playing better!. You can look for a student from your local high school or college who is willing to play with you, or give you some lessons!. You can join a Group List online and ask other players questions!. You can go to YouTube and watch professionals playing your instrument, and then play along!. So long as you are excited about playing, you will find other players who can help you get better!.

Please read this short Top-Ten List by flutist Jennifer Cluff: "Top Ten Reasons to Take Flute Lessons!." (just imagine she is talking about your instrument)!. Click on the link below!.
http://www!.jennifercluff!.com/blog/2007/0!.!.!.

She has REALLY good reasons to get professional help!.

All the best, and keep me posted on what you decide to do!

- JenniferWww@QuestionHome@Com

If your playing Rock skip the teacher!. I've played in quite a few bands and almost nobody I've played with started with a teacher!. That doesn't mean that a teacher isn't right for you!. Depends on your personality!. Just that few people get a good start from lessons in Rock or Blues!.

If you want to play Classical then you need a teacher!. I know very few accomplished classical artists that are self taught!. It almost doesn't happen!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

There is a pride in saying I did it all by my self!.
Beyond that I think getting help is the best way to go!. You are getting it one way or another!. No one ever actually does it without help!. You either get a book, video or go on line!. You sit down with others and work through it!. You pay or get help for free!.
If you are serious, compare it to any other profession or skills!. Would a pilot, Dr, lawyer etc!. try to reach the top of their profession all by them self!?
Paid or free, find someone to work with you and guide you along the way!. Someone who can catch your problems before they become major!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

i play the flute and i guess depending on what instrument you want to play you would need professional help!. like in in 8th grade and have been playing the flute since 5th grade and have learned through the school!. but some instruments you might be able to master on your own!.

good luck!!!!!!!!!!Www@QuestionHome@Com

I play an instrument !.!. and i think sometimes its much easier if you get a book for your self and learn!.!. you could always go out and by a music book for the instrument you playing that has the notes on the back or something!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I will say that it won't hurt!. The decision is yours!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

honestly i think i'm better of without a teacher cause it makes me more curious about my instrumentWww@QuestionHome@Com