Years of horrid classical piano lessons when I was young. I loved the piano but disliked the teachers. The lessons were very useful for technique, but all the REAL music I learned came from my Dad. He taught me how to understand music theory, how to phrase, breathe, read, interpret, and appreciate. His interest was mostly church music but he also got me started with folk music. My Mom played piano alot as did my brother and sisters while growing up and there was always music playing at home, live or recorded.

I've had some serious vocal lessons over the years and have sung in church choirs for nearly 40 years. The timbre of my voice isn't the finest, but it works. Every practice is an education with an elderly and very skilled choir director.

Though I teach private guitar, bass, mandolin and some 4 string banjo lessons, I never really had a formal lesson myself until decades after I was playing for pay, and those lessons were workshops and the like. A few classes with Simon Mayor (and one unbelievable impromptu private session) on mandolin absolutely transformed my playing. Several workshops with folks like Don Ross, Pierre Bensusan, Tony McManus, Chris Proctor, John Renbourn, haven't hurt either.

But all things considered, it was my Dad who set me straight. No wonder I miss him.

Peace, Mooh.