Everytime a thread like this emerges, it becomes an "us against them" thing. I'm a classically-trained singer and a self-taught guitar player, and I have an undergrad degree in liberal arts and an MBA. And guess what ... none of it means a hill of beans in the grand scheme. I started college as a voice major and changed my major to liberal arts a year later, because it was destroying the joy of music for me. I would have left school but I felt it was important to finish, regardless of major.

The voice and stage presence is a gift from g-d, whom I thank everyday, but I do wish he had given me longer fingers so I'd be a better guitar player. The other stuff has just happened to open a few doors for me.

I DO NOT CARE WHAT KIND OF "FORMAL" TRAINING A MUSICIAN HAS HAD IF HE/SHE PLEASES MY SENSES. Some of the very best I have ever heard have not even a high school diploma.

If you're tone deaf and have absolutely no musical talent .. all the formal training in the world ain't gonna make you better.

If you've got the gift ... formal training may enhance your talents ... it can also stifle your talents.

moonchild