Chas is right. A lot of experienced players who are self-taught (including me) will tell you that they really wished that they had had formal training. That includes many very well-known players in every genre; some at the top of their field.

I had to "woodshead" and ask for informal assistance with reading when I started doing studio work in La in the mid-60's, and that has helped me immensely.

Wish I had chased fewer "skirts" and worked harder on getting formal training when I was young.

(Just kidding about regretting the "skirts" part).

Chas is also right about formally trained musicians who are less than stellar in live situations. There are several music professors from the state Universtiy here who are competing in the local market.

I "kick their asses" on a regular basis. They're really no serious competition, but I really do wish I had gotten formal training as a kid.

I was too busy trying to afford food for me and my brothers from the age of 14.


Russ