Originally Posted by: JFRICKThat question is going to get a lot of opinions as answer's. There really is no straight up answer. It's all opinion. I myself am self taught, which to me, makes you develop your own style. I can't read music, just tabs, but I can play Eruption.....You don't have to be able to read music to be good or great. My opinion of taking lessons is that your going to learn the style of the person teaching you. But at the same time, taking lessons takes the guess work out of learning. You get a clear path on what to do in certain situations. If your wanting to learn theory, the best thing to do is take lessons, but if your wanting to develop a unique style, I'd suggest keep on learning on your own.....

First, I'd like to thank you for you input, it is really appreciated. Secondly, let me ask you, how does one build their style. Basically, I am asking if you do not have a teacher, how do you learn how to piece together chords, notes, arpeggios, etc... into forming songs and developing a unique style.
For example, I try to use my scales, chords, and arpeggios into creating melodies and tunes, but most of the time it sounds horrible. What I'm getting at is for example, James the lead singer and songwriter for Metallica couldn't point out a note on the guitar by name (self-admitted in an interview that I saw) nor read sheet music if his life depended on it, however, the guy creates great music. He writes almost all of his string parts for all of his songs. My question is this, how does he and other like him do it???
This is a question that haunts me all the time. Maybe you could shed some light on it.

Thanks again:

Frank