Are Instruction books to learn how to play instruments good?

Question

I was thinking of buying them. For Guitar and Piano. People tell me to go to an instructor but I don't want to. So, can anyone give me their opinion? Are they good? Can they really, REALLY help me become a great Guitarist and/or Pianist? [If its spelt wrong, sorry!]

Answer 1

I learned from a book mostly but u have to go to a instructor tht is must,if u can't just make some good guitarist ur buddy.Lolz. i also did tht.And it depends on the content of the book theoratically why can;t u but practically it;s a near miracle.

Answer 2

a teacher is the most effective way to learn an instrument, as they can keep you from learning things wrong or bad habbits that you'll have to re-learn later... (and relearning stuff is WAY harder than just learning it right to begin with!).  particularly if you don't have a strong musical background, you're best off going to a teacher.  you don't even have to take regular weekly lessons, just take a couple to get you started off right with basics.

if you have a strong musical background, such as you already play other instruments, particularly similar instruments, you're probably fine with a book,  (for instance i'm learning trombone this summer with an essential elements book).  but if it's you're first instrument or you don't have a lot of musical knowledge, a teacher will be a big help.  and they are good, they are a big help, and they know their stuff! particularly if you want to become "great", a teacher (plus hard work)is your best bet.

but either way, have fun! good luck!

Answer 3

Well here are the pros and cons of both.

A book:

Pros -

1) It will only cost you $8 to $20 and will last you anywhere from 10 to 30 hours of time (depends on your level vs. the book level).

2) It is ALWAYS available for reference.

3) These often come with follow along CD's.

Cons-

1) If you don't understand something in a book, you can't ask it questions.

2) Books don't teach you proper technique (even if they claim to).  You can develop bad habits that prevent you from getting better.

Instructor:

Pros-

1) They have a wide bit of knowledge and experience that a book does not.

2) If you don't understand something, you can ask them questions.

3) They will show you bits and tricks that helped them out.

4) They can show you proper technique and correct you if you are wrong.

Cons-

1) They cost a lot of money. The going rate for most instructors is $20 for a half hour once a week, or $40 an hour.

2) You can't always ask them questions.

3) You only have a limited amount of time to get lessons, afterwords, you are SOL till the next lesson.

My opinion:  Start out on books and go as far as you can until you feel like you are stuck.  You know you are stuck when you have been playing the same songs or licks over and over and over again and you haven't really gotten any better.  Then go to an instructor until, again, you feel you're stuck.  Here you have two options:  go back to books or find another instructor that teaches a a different style of music.

OR

Do what you have $$$ and time for.  Keep in mind that you can do both (which is the fastest and best way to learn).

Answer 4

Music books are indeed good for learning to play, but there is no substitute at all to having a good teacher. Where the music book will focus on theory and give you things to practice to learn that theory, there is just no comparison to sitting with a teacher who can sit with you and, while you are learning the theory, playing for you some of your favorite jams that show the theory at work and how it is used practically rather than just abstract exercises.  When I first started learning to play bass, I could sit all day long and practice scales, but what REALLY brought me along was sitting there with my teacher playing snippets of music that demonstrated those scales in action..you really can't beat it, and there's an added bonus, too: your teacher will be a musician---and a musician loves to play music.  So as the dessert to all of your work, the teacher will be only too willing to sit and  teach you the notes to jams you want to play so that you can accompany him (or her), and then jam them with you...and all of this will help you to learn even faster.  Take it from me, a teacher is the best way to go.  It will cut your learning time waaaay down, and you'll find that you can play songs long before you are actually proficient at theory.  And isn't the goal of any person learning an instrument to be able to play music?  Take my advice, and get yourself a competent teacher, if you can.