Being musically inclined is a gift for some.

Algonac junior Ryan Lane is one of those people.

Despite the fact that Lane never learned to read music, he has been playing the guitar for the last seven years and began giving guitar lessons in 2005.

“(Not being able to read music) makes no difference in my ability to effectively teach music,” Lane said.
Lane said he cannot imagine learning any other way.

Algonac junior Ryan Lane teaches St. Clair Shores junior Charlie Kilcline basic guitar chords. Lane does not read music, but is proficient at guitar and has been playing for years. (Libby March/Staff Photographer)

“It’s not necessary to convey something on paper when you could convey it in action,” he said. “I think people pick up on it easier actually playing than trying to learn how to do it by reading it off a sheet of paper.”

A hobby, not a job

Lane was inspired to begin giving lessons after he was offered an opportunity by the Downriver Recreation Commission to give guitar lessons for $10 per hour his senior year of high school.

Although he gets paid for each session, he does not consider giving lessons to be a job; it is more of a hobby that involves some extra cash.

Lane believes he offers a unique education and style of teaching for students interested in playing the guitar.

St. Claire Shores junior Charlie Kilcline takes lessons from Lane whenever he has the chance.

“I like taking lessons from him … it’s convenient because he will meet up whenever,” Kilcline said.

Ironically, Lane does not plan to pursue a degree in music. Instead, he is majoring in sociology.

“I would have gone into music but I never had a formal education in it,” he said.

Informal teaching

Since Lane does not know how to read music, he teaches a mixture of songs, chords and everything else he knows about the guitar.

“I have an informal type of teaching, and I like to pass on my imaginative aspect of guitar,” Lane said.

Even though he cannot read music, he writes songs frequently and is hoping to record a demo in the near future.

When writing songs, Lane puts it on paper and then memorizes the tune.

“I just let it come to me,” he said.

He also plans to do a cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” soon.

Lane said he plans on learning to read music soon, but does not foresee it affecting his teaching style.

“I will eventually learn to read music but, right now, it is easier to teach students by practicing rather than having them read it,” Lane said.

E-mail the author: Mara Kieren