'Cuz academics gonna academic rather than just learn how to play....

You can't become a musician by reading books about play music anymore than you can become a heart surgeon by reading books about heart surgery.

Of course I don't know how heart surgeons practice, but I know what it takes to become a musician. And it ain't by reading books.

This last wave annoying people who have joined the last couple of years all want the microwave fast lane to becoming musicians really changed the flavor of these forums. I haven't wasted the time to check but I'd bet a choklit' shake that they have never even been into the real "music" forums, only the off topic section. The ChatGPT, Scaler, every AI gadget in existence people who think they "write" songs with no human input or musical acumen at all. Sneak in under the tend rather than buy a ticket. I will make a lot of people happy here very soon when I close this account and never return. If it wasn't for the half dozen people here I actually respect I'd have done it already.

Just practice a few hours every day when you would otherwise be reading the books and watching videos hoping you will learn by osmosis. There's no formula. Play your instrument.