Where did Brian learn to write music?

[clinikillz]

It's known by many Beach Boys fans that Brian wrote his own chord charts for studio musicians during recording sessions. Does anyone know where Brian learned how to do this? Was he formally trained or was he self-taught?

Thanks!

[pixletwin]

I would think it was likely that his father taught him. He also took accordion lessons and I am sure that provided some theory training (however brief).

[Mr. Cohen]

He also took some music classes in high school. The combination of such experiences probably gave me all he needed to continue learning on his own.

[Letsgoawayforawhile]

God.
Duh!

[lance]

His uncle taught him.

[Runaways]

i would say anyone who has a favorite chord and key definitely has done a lot of self study.

[Paulos]

Where did Brian learn to write music? The Wilson family music room, 3701 West 119th Street, Hawthorne, California.

[Joshilyn Hoisington]

If you mean "notate" music, rather than simply compose music, that makes a difference.

The stories go that Brian did not write very effective charts--they usually needed quite a bit of cleaning up, stems on the wrong sides of the notes, problems with accidentals, etc.  That's partly why he had to use so much of the session to go around individually and get everybody playing what he wanted.

But he was certainly able to communicate on some level in notation.

[Mikie]

Fred Morgan probably gave Brian a coupla pointers...

[JanBerryFarm]

From this geezer.....