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That can't be true. Most ex-musicians I know quit for many reasons, and most of those were self-taught.

Posture is important so you don't hurt yourself while sitting on a backless piano bench for hours on end. Finger position is important because playing with splayed fingers will limit your repertoire down the road. The best way to prevent bad habits is preventing them from forming in the first place.

The same goes with guitar. I don't teach, but I could and I can assure you that the two exercises I would begin students with would be pretty bad, but so fundamental that it'd be inexcusable of me to not teach them this stuff.

Do a down strum on each one count while I count to 4 and repeat. This is surprisingly difficult to do when you first start. This one is actually pretty fun and can make people laugh at themselves.

Hold your fret hand on your lap, then try to make a C chord. Pick each string from bottom to top. If one of the strings don't ring out, fix your hand and keep down picking until each string rings out. Keep doing this until you get it right on the first time five times. Got C? Lets work on G. I'm actually surprised at how many experienced musicians can't do this.

Yes, it is hard, yes it is work, but it's no different than programming. Nothing worth having is given to you.




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