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I do concede that knowing theory enough to have a common language makes it easier. There were times, like the show band I mentioned, where that would’ve made it way easier to exchange notes. But at the same time, those kinds of groups (hired guns) are mostly at the level where you are expected to already know the material by rehearsal time.

Another example would be when I joined a new band that was starting up, and the primary songwriter was formally educated and was already in a semi-popular band in my city. Now that was a time I felt inadequate, because when he wanted us to do something, I couldn’t just simply translate what he was saying into my instrument. On the other hand, I was also a member of a long time prog rock band with technical players, but we didn’t have to resort to “theory” to communicate, and we got along fine. Everyone was pretty good with playing by ear, so a show-and-tell approach wasn’t a detriment.

As to the tuning out, I don’t necessarily “tune out” or ignore it. It’s just that I’m at a point in my life that music isn’t a primary career for me, and even if I still play with bands and release solo music regularly, I have so much going on with responsibilities that I choose to spend the already little free time I have to just enjoy playing/making music. I guess it’s also why the more complicated stuff I write, I just do myself as a solo artist because I can enact my vision without dealing with anyone else.

I do call out chords. Even without formal training, I still know the basics. It gets dicey when it comes to more advanced stuff like minor thirds, etc. When it comes to that, I switch to show-and-tell by playing the chord for the other members to hear and calling out individual notes.

Funny enough, in our last rehearsal, someone finally spoke up and said it was peculiar that I was calling verses “stanzas” and pre-choruses as “refrains”, which apparently aren’t terms being used regularly anymore. I didn’t realize because that’s how I learned to call them and have used it all my life.

Life, mostly. I have a day job, and I’m in my late 30’s. I still have a band, and I make music as a solo artist that some people would consider “technical”, but it’s all without any formal training.

As someone who plays by ear all the time and never had the opportunity to get a formal musical education, here’s my perspective:

Having a good foundation is important regardless which route you take, so having a good grasp of theory, even if you aren’t aware it’s theory (because you were never formally trained) dictates how good technically, and how good sound-wise you are. I compose and arrange my own music and most of the time I end up being the “musical director” of any band I join, but ask me about theory concepts and I wouldn’t know what to tell you. Like I understand what it is, but I don’t know what it’s called in theory.

On the other hand, applying formal training on top of a solid foundation (theory) will definitely push you to new heights, hence the term virtuoso. And you can bet 99% of all musicians considered virtuosos have training. I had several stints with a casino show band back in the day. I can’t sight read, so it took me several days to learn multiple setlists of songs. I still learned everything by ear, it just took me way longer vs someone who could read sheet music.

But to go back and answer the main question: just like anywhere in education, if your teacher sucks, then yeah you won’t learn the right way. A great teacher will establish the foundation, recognize your skills, build on your strengths, and improve on your weaknesses. And most importantly, a good teacher won’t be rigid by the book and will allow you to explore (as long as you have that solid base foundation). A lot of great technically skilled musicians took music education but never finished them because of that rigidity.

I’m just chilling at home all day. I was supposed to work on some new music but was too lazy. I have work again tomorrow so might as well make the most of my not doing anything.

Thanks! Yeah, even I am still continuously learning new things. In fact, I recently reset my mixing/mastering workflow and started fresh, because of new stuff I learned. I do different genres, but this time it’s gonna be a prog industrial metal instrumental album.

Making music. I’ve started working on a new EP, probably around 5 songs, that I plan to release within 3 months.

Make music. I record and produce my own music in my home studio. I sometimes don’t realize I’ve been in there for hours until I need to pee.

Playing music (jamming or performing) together. Nothing beats getting into a groove with fellow musicians.

I never did lol. I play by ear to this day. It does make it difficult to play songs on the fly, especially when on stints as a session musician where I have to learn an entire set list of songs quickly. But for my own original work, it hasn’t really hindered me.

I’m a musician and I listen to rock, prog, jazz fusion, r&b, kpop, EDM, and film scores just to name a few.

Not only do I listen to a wide range of genres, I play and make music with the same range as well. I allows me to easily fit into different bands without issues. I’ve played with prog rock bands, casino show bands, rappers, metal bands, etc.

My music, and hopefully by as many people as possible.

I make music and release them on streaming. I’m most proficient on keys, then guitars and drums next equally. I wouldn’t say I’m an expert simply because I never had formal lessons and I’m self-taught. But I would say I’m above the average player.

I also learned ukelele, bandurria, and flute growing up.

It’s both art and content for me. I listen to a very wide range of genres; from metal to jazz, EDM, prog, industrial, film scores, kpop, and more. Streaming platforms have a hard time profiling me just based on the stuff I listen to.

I’m also a musican, so it’s my “art” as well, because I create it to express myself. It’s been a huge part of my entire life.

I was able to get an 8-string headless guitar at close to half the price. Then recouped a little more by selling my current guitar. So all in all I “spent” 1/3 of the original price. One of best bang-for-buck deals I’ve gotten in a while.

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