Geezerjohn
Fractal Fanatic
Great points guys. As a guitar teacher for many years, I get a lot of students that have been self-taught. Many have developed habits that are extremely difficult to change. I am convinced it is much more difficult to unlearn bad habits (poor picking technique, playing with just 3 fingers, etc.). Such things are difficult to unlearn. Such bad habits definitely inhibit mastering more advanced skills. I did not say that a teacher is a must, but I still think it is preferable to Y-Tube. Finding a good teacher can be difficult, especially in this age of self-taught Y-Tube guitarists.
I had the good fortune to study under the late great Harry Leahey for 5 years. Changed my whole world. Some of his other students included Al Di Meola, and Larry Coryell. He was the go-to teacher in the Tri-State area where I grew up. Not many teachers had a 3-year waiting list, but Harry did. He was not only a virtuoso player, he was a very gifted teacher. He was a good friend. My Yoda. He could take complex things and make them understandable. Prior to taking lessons with Harry I thought I was a self taught bad ass. Then I sat in a chair in front of the master. A VERY humbling experience. I had developed my own bad habits that were tough to overcome. I speak from experience.
I had the good fortune to study under the late great Harry Leahey for 5 years. Changed my whole world. Some of his other students included Al Di Meola, and Larry Coryell. He was the go-to teacher in the Tri-State area where I grew up. Not many teachers had a 3-year waiting list, but Harry did. He was not only a virtuoso player, he was a very gifted teacher. He was a good friend. My Yoda. He could take complex things and make them understandable. Prior to taking lessons with Harry I thought I was a self taught bad ass. Then I sat in a chair in front of the master. A VERY humbling experience. I had developed my own bad habits that were tough to overcome. I speak from experience.