Learning music

Finding a good teacher from my experience is a must. Yes, there is an huge amount of information on the internet and it's a good way to learn, but having the one on one dialogue between a teacher and a student is really important. If you can't find one or that you learn better by your self, then going down that path is another way of learning. It is like each individual finds their own way that suits them best. I have a great teacher who i have been going to for years now, i have always left the lesson with a feeling that i am a little further along in my learning. Learning music is a psychophysical act, your training muscles to do things we were not created to do, and it's not easy. Like any sport we have to build up muscle memory and practice regularly. Then slowly our muscles get used to it and loosen up a bit. That's the physical side which is challenging enough. There are thousands of books on how to play or read music, but very few on the psychological side of learning. W. Timothy Gallwey, wrote a series of books called "The Inner game of Music" The inner game of tennis" and " The inner game of golf"etc . He teaches in his books, how to mentally process the information and to send that information down to our bodies to execute it. I have a few friends who are so completely blocked up mentally and physically that they can't get past themselves. One has small hands and just struggles with the physical side and focuses on the guitar set up all of the time and doesn't progress because he always "puts the cart in front of the horses", to use a metaphor. He is always trying to find an easier way. Instead of just getting disciplined and doing what he needs to do. We all are different and what's easy for one person is murder for another. My other friend is into self flagellation and beats himself up to the point of sadomasochistic flogging. He will watch guitarists like Jeff Beck, Joe Satriani or the Steely Dan studio guys and thats how he measures guitar playing. So he is going to feel bad about himself. Its like trying to sing along with Freddie Mercury, he was a freak of nature with a god given voice. I try to focus on doing songs of Bob Dylan or Tom Petty that you can get through and you don't feel bad about your self. Their vocal range is achievable and with the chords they play you don't need to be a virtuoso to play them. I spent years going over Dylan"s songs, it did two things. 1. I couldn't sing like him without mocking him, i had to develop my own voice. 2. It helped me become the songwriter i am now. So be kind to your self! Everyone had to start just like you did. If you feel blocked up, You likely getting in your own way.