getting started from scratch

I've been very artistic my entire life but recently in the last two years has music been a huge part of my life, and in the last year almost consumed me (in a good way).

I've never been educated or taken any sort of lesson in music, I bought a acoustic guitar 6 months ago and only played it for a month or so but I only experimented with it starting with very simple melodies then building off of it in my head. For Christmas my girlfriend got a violin and boy what a treat for my mind that was to try...

Last year I have been composing music inside my head and its been growing into my daily life and dreams stopping only when in moments of strong concentration or while listening to music that affects me (sometimes I even build off of it or manipulate it).

Since last year I have had a strong desire to write what I hear however I have no idea what to do, I've made attempts at writing in home-made ways but obviouslt failed.

What I want to know is where I could start. I would like to go to school but cannot afford it... are there any courses that start with no experience in music? Would I have to enroll in adult-ed and start from middle school level?

Thanks in advance.

What type of music do you listen to and what style do you want to compose in?

Check your local community college and see what kinda courses they offer. Make sure you can play some type of instrument too(which is part of learning to compose/learning the basics of "theory"). So you could take some lessons from someone too(community colleges tend to offer courses in such things.

I listen to virtually all music, whatever I can get my hands on. Of course there is a lot of music I dont like, but no specific types. My favorites range from assorted classical, Buckethead, and Matthew Good. As for what style I would like to compose in, is whatever is currently in my head, and that also includes everything.

I am interested in learning how to sing, would that be a start to learning theory? Or at least assist?

i would dabble with the piano, all the scales are laid out right in front of your eyes..once you learn how the notes work and the distance visually they are apart, youll be able to pick out the melodies in your head in no time :)

Singing is very important because it helps you personalize music. If you didn't start playing something very young then it will be heard for any instrument to become an extension of yourself(unless you ended up playing 15 hours a day from now on).

I think though you need to choose the style you like most because if you just say you like all music then chances are you won't go anywhere in any specific one. The rock is very different from classical. They use a lot of the same theory stuff but there feel/groove is different and they emphasize different things.

I'm not saying you can't do different styles together but if you want to be successful chances are you need to start simple else you will be overwhelmed. The theory is basically the same for all though so once you get your head around that you can then move on.

You need to pick something definite though so you can focus your desire on it and overcome it. If you spread out too much then your less likely to make it in any one of them.

I personally would choose classical style because it is more sophisticated and more rigid than most others(if not all other western styles).

Of course you want to learn to play as many instruments as you can because in theory they are all the same. For example, if you know the guitar then the violin is not so hard as starting from the violin from scratch(they are not 1-1 and some habits that are good on one are bad on the other but you are not trying to be a virtuoso in either). Learning an electric bass, for example, is very easy once you no the guitar(compared to learning it from scratch).

But again, just pick one instrument that you really like and that you can play a lot. A piano is difficult because you have to go to one to play. A violin or guitar can be carried around and played anywhere. Piano's are also more expensive and take more room. IMO they are the best starters though because they are more logical so it will be easier to learn on them. They also allow the full spectrum of accompaniment. With a guitar it is difficult to accompany yourself(you can play chord melodies but you are still limited unless you record yourself playing the accompaniment).

Basically most instruments are meant to be played in a group. This can be good or bad. Its good to be around other musicians because it will motivate you and you can learn from them but if your shy or have to much pride/ego then it could also be a hindrance. A piano lets you do everything by yourself. Best is to learn as many as possible ;)

I think it's best for you to talk to someone such as a consoler that can direct you better as I'm sure they have had many situations like this.