12 Rock Legends Who Were Completely Self-Taught

Rock music, like anything, is all about hard work. Teachers can help guide you along the way, but not every successful person has had the benefit of an experienced mentor - in fact some, like these rock legends, became seriously good at music without ever having received a lesson. 

It's all down to their own talent and effort. 

Good on 'em.

Elton John

It's a little bit funny that Elton taught himself the piano from the age of three. Didn't do him any harm though as he became one of the most successful, influential and highest-selling musicians of all time. 

Keith Moon

The best drummer of all time? Plenty would argue that. He certainly had one of the most distinctive styles with the sticks in his hand and that style was totally self-taught. Check out this awesome solo from Moon's last ever concert for The Who.

Jack White

12-time Grammy winner White didn't need any teacher to guide him on his path to rock stardom, fronting The White Stripes with wife Meg.

Jimi Hendrix

Jimi's distinctive playing style won't be found in many textbooks - it looks basically unteachable - which is why Hendrix is such a phenom with the guitar. Remarkably, he learned to play originally on a one string ukelele!

Kurt Cobain

Driven by that distinctive angst and an extraordinary ability to capture the soul of a pained generation, Cobain wanted to learn to play guitar to make himself a better songwriter. So he did.

Noel Gallagher

The songwriting genius behind Oasis taught himself to play because he was bored growing up on his family's Manchester housing estate. 

Prince

Not content with learning piano at the age of seven (without a tutor), Prince then learnt guitar aged 13 (again, by himself), and drums a year later (without guidance, obviously). What a guy. 

The Arctic Monkeys

The Monkeys' Alex Turner and Jamie Cox wanted to learn music and did so purely from an Oasis songbook and the James Bond theme tune. And drummer Matt Helders had never even played before they started The Arctic Monkeys!

Eric Clapton

To be fair, like Hendrix, that Clapton style isn't something that could be taught. The three-time inductee to the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame was given his first guitar by his grandfather and never looked back.

Frank Zappa

Renowned genius-cum-crazyman, Zappa taught himself various musical instruments, as well as giving his children - Dweezil, Ahmed Emuuka Rodan, Moon Unit, and Diva Muffin- the weirdest collective set of names of any parent in history. 

David Bowie

To teach yourself the guitar is impressive. To do the same with the piano, bass, drums and harmonica is frankly extraordinary. Oh and he also taught himself the koto (us neither. Turns out it's one of these, below).

Dave Grohl

Technically perhaps Grohl shouldn't be on this as he did receive a music lesson. But given he only got one - at the drums - and then decided to teach himself, we'll let him off. Not least as he probably didn't pick up much during that half-hour that set him on the path to being one of the most ultimate rock stars in two of the greatest bands of his generation.

You can teach yourself a lot. But sometimes there's no substitute for a good apprenticeship. The largest provider of apprenticeships in Victoria is Chisholm TAFE. To enrol yours, call 1300 244 746. And follow the story of an apprentice here.