garrett
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Thanks... I think my problem is that I started off backwards. My very first instructor told me on day 1, ‘your vibrato is awesome, where’d you learn that?’ and ‘you already know where to stop a bend at’. I was like ‘I don’t even know what you are talking about’.
My ear might be decent but I don’t really know.
Here’s how a typical lesson went with my second instructor:
Them: this is how to play this part...
Me: oh I’ve heard that song!
Them: cool...
Me: umm that wasn’t right... the note in the song sounds like it’s played on the A string
Them: nope, this is right, this is how I learned it... follow along
Me: can we listen to the recording just to make sure?
Them: Fine.
Me: see
Them: hmmmm. Yeah it’s on the A string.
That's excellent. You're off to a great start. Independent study sounds like a good option for you. The way I started out was with a scale book and a stack of CDs full of music I loved. I have never done an actual lesson with an instructor, but I've read, watched, and listened to a lot of stuff. I enjoy finding my own path.
Especially with blues, don't get too hung up on playing things the "right" way. Do whatever works for you and make it your own. It's supposed to be fun and creative, right?