Self taught hack.

[mas music]

I have never posted on this section of the forum. As a self taught hack I don't think I have anything of great value to bring to the table. Throwing caution to the wind I will dare to post.
                     I have developed 2 separate and distinct modes of playing.
1 THE CHART MODE - Reading chord charts, singing, playing with other musicians & strumming my steel string.
2 EAR MODE - Little or no awareness of the notes or chords I am playing. My ear is my guide. I improvise, compose and play my own music which is finger picked on the classical guitar. Most of this music is instrumentel ,personal and private.
                     I really enjoy both modes but they are really separate and distinct experiences. Can any of you more accomplished  musicians relate to this dichotomy ?

[flatlander]

Well since you ask, I'd say this. I remember when I first started playing and particualy when I went up the neck with chords, I didn't know what I was playing. It gives a certain freedom and you come up with some original changes as you have no preconcieved idea of what you're doing. But for me learning about chords has had many more pros than cons. Everybody's different but it was like this for me. At first when I set out to learn chords especially up the neck it was restraining as I played the whole standard chord. After many years and understanding chords better, I edged back towards having more freedom as I understood the chords better and knew how to chop them down or mutate them more freely.  Learning the chords and progressions well will definitely help you play with others better and you may not need the charts at all.

[mas music]

Wow, you really nailed my guitar playing approach. Your point is well taken, if I had a better understanding of what I was doing these two seemingly disparent worlds would come together and that would be a good thing. I have been blessed with a good ear and enjoy comming up with changes and progressions my more accomplished musician friends have never conceived of. Having said that they are far more flexable ,adaptable and gig-able then I. 

[unclrob]

I'm also basically self taughtand pretty much work along your line's.Its been so many years that I've gotten to the point that I can now learn songs on the fly,as long as I can see someone else hands or I can hear the pattern the little musicsl knowledgee that I've picked up will raise its head in my brain and tell my hands what to do.

[tuffythepug]

Self Taught Hack describes me perfectly.   I prefer this term rather than Pitiful Rank Amateur which I am also.

[DJ in FL]

[quote   I prefer this term rather than Pitiful Rank Amateur which I am also.
[/quote]

We would make a great duette in that case!  Great description of my playing "style".