Some of you know that I've been playing the guitar since I was a teenager (40 plus years at this point). I was pretty much self-taught until 2007 when I began to learn 'officially" from Tim Spencer. I've been showing up at his teaching room almost every week since then.
But let's examine self-taught . . . Really, I've learned a lot from others, as well. A few guys who have influenced me over the years: Bill Enanoria, Dave Nelund, Keith Knoche, John Vigil, Curtis Wright, Barry Butler, Woody Totten, Greg Evans, Greg Jones, Kent Beck, Jose Rojas and Richard Harty.
I really should be a much better player by now! I'm a slow learner . . . it takes a while for stuff to settle into this brain of mine.
I read a book recently by Elizabeth Gilbert called "Big Magic". She writes that a lot of people never finish a project because they want it to be perfect. She says that perfection is NOT possible. She said that the folks who actually finish the thing (with all of its imperfections) are way ahead of the class. I find some comfort in this!
A recorded song could always be better. It could have more parts. But at some point you have to ask yourself does it communicate what you want to say.
I'm looking forward to writing and recording some more imperfect songs . . .