Piano Instruction

Are Instruction books to learn how to play instruments good?

I was thinking of buying them. For Guitar and Piano. People tell me to go to an instructor but I don’t want to. So, can anyone give me their opinion? Are they good? Can they really, REALLY help me become a great Guitarist and/or Pianist? [If its spelt wrong, sorry!]

Well here are the pros and cons of both.

A book:
Pros –

1) It will only cost you $8 to $20 and will last you anywhere from 10 to 30 hours of time (depends on your level vs. the book level).
2) It is ALWAYS available for reference.
3) These often come with follow along CD’s.

Cons-
1) If you don’t understand something in a book, You Can‘t ask it questions.
2) Books don’t teach you proper technique (even if they claim to). You can develop bad habits that prevent you from getting better.

Instructor:
Pros-
1) They have a wide bit of knowledge and experience that a book does not.
2) If you don’t understand something, you can ask them questions.
3) They will show you bits and tricks that helped them out.
4) They can show you proper technique and correct you if you are wrong.

Cons-
1) They cost a lot of money. The going rate for most instructors is $20 for a half hour once a week, or $40 an hour.
2) You can’t always ask them questions.
3) You only have a limited amount of time to get lessons, afterwords, you are SOL till the next lesson.

My opinion: Start out on books and go as far as you can until you feel like you are stuck. You know you are stuck when you have been playing the same songs or licks over and over and over again and you haven’t really gotten any better. Then go to an instructor until, again, you feel you’re stuck. Here you have two options: go back to books or find another instructor that teaches a a different style of music.

OR

Do what you have $$$ and time for. Keep in mind that you can do both (which is the fastest and best way to learn).

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