I want to be a professional guitarist someday so.........?

Question

Should I attend a college or should I just take lessons somewhere?

Answer 1

definantly both. you really should go to college, as a backup plan. also take lessons so you can get good. there is a 1/4 chance anyone can make it in the music industry

Answer 2

BOTH; music theory, band, private lessons, music appreciation etc etc. all you can do.

also take business courses and psychology courses. The more education you can get the better and always, and I mean ALWAYS, have something you can eat and pay rent on because as I write this answer, there are countless extremely TALENTED musicians out there starving to death and being evicted for not paying rent.

Answer 3

ok in college major in something else u like. there is only a small chance that u will be a musician so if u dont become successful u have another job.

Answer 4

There are infinite paths to what you desire.  No one, including yourself can predict the right way to go about something.  

Known and accepted methods of getting somewhere are always a good thing to involve yourself in.  If someone wants to become a lawyer, they must complete undergraduate school and go to law school.  If you want to be a doctor you need to study human biology, go premed and then medical school.

Becoming a guitarist just isn't as clear cut.  You can attend a 4 year music college- Berklee or Juliard- and be no closer to becoming a musician than if you spent those 4 years making musical contacts, playing out and becoming the best player you can.  

So do both of those things, or whatever you feel is working for you.  Try to keep your mind on the goal- that you want to become a guitarist.  Don't be distracted too much by the scene, the drugs, the women, etc...  That may all be there, but you know that there is a bigger picture, you don't want to stop your progress there, happy to be admired by the bar crowd, you need to always remember that you want to be professional- meaning you're in and out, playing your best, not drunk and sloppy, always learning more, always listening to music, and always ready to make the jump to the next level.  

Because the path never ends it just changes.  And as long as you're ready to go with it, you'll continue to grow.