Attended Aural University all my life. Picked up mostly by ear. 4th grd. violin move to Bf clarinet for 4 years, then to sax for a short bit, then Ef contrabass clarinet for 4 years along with tuba and sousa, 5 guitar lesson from my older brother, bought a Gibson Ripper in 78 and just kept going. Sang in concert choir, mens emsemble, select ensemble, barbershop quartet and musical reviews in HS. Joined my first rock band in 78 as a lead singing bassist and released my first full cd in 2005 with Doomtree. Working on the second and shopping a new label as we type.

1 year banjo mandolin
1 year guitar
Various stints with bass teachers

My Dad bought me my first bass when i was 8 years old, but I don't think I was particularly interested until I was about 13, and there have been formal lessons ever since.
Oh, and I just start classes at The New School in about a week. for jazz upright.
that's it so far!
austin

bass lessons from 16-20, than some jazz improv and theory classes in college...almost 18 years later went back for more improv classes for the heck of it...currently shopping around for a new teacher in the philadelphia area...I just like learning....

Gregory,  
I've sent an email about a former teacher of mine now living in Philadelphia. His name is Adam Mantovani and he's an outstanding musician.
 
Sam

Hi All.  
 
Interesting topic.
 
For myself, on the job training (OJT) for the first seventeen years, followed by a seventeen year break.  Four formal lessons two/three  years ago and OJT to current.  
 
Regards,
 
Kimberly  

A lot of variety here in instruments, training, gigging.  
I took a few months of guitar lessons at age 9 or 10.  Played trumpet in grades 6 - 12 (great for reading and listening to other instruments).  Played bass since age 18 (now 52), self-taught, by ear.  Taught myself to read bass clef but still fight treble clef habit.  Have gigged on upright and electric bass and trumpet; dabble with a few other instruments.
Rich

2 years of private lessons on tuba followed by a year of lessons on bass.
 
I'm also minoring in music at college.

Four years and counting of formal music lessons and the remaining 26yrs. by ear (alright, there was about 1yr en toto of previous lessons).

About 1/2 dozen guitar lessons when I first started out. The rest was by ear and self study from a variety of books. Mostly learnt by ear picking up most from listening to musicians on record that I appreciate. Did a 2 year part time Jazz course in 2001 - 2002, although the course did not provide any teaching on individual instruments.
 
Bass, completely self taught and still learning on both instruments.
Jazzyvee

About 1/2 dozen guitar lessons when I first started out. The rest was by ear and self study from a variety of books. Mostly learnt by ear picking up most from listening to musicians on record that I appreciate. Did a 2 year part time Jazz course in 2001 - 2002, although the course did not provide any teaching on individual instruments.
 
Bass, completely self taught and still learning on both instruments.
Jazzyvee

No formal training- and it shows. =)

Started out playing clarinet in my grade school band, took a few private lessons on that.  Switched to alto, then tenor and baritone sax (you should have seen me at the ripe old age of about 12 trying to play baritone sax - the damn thing was as big as I was!).  Later went on to bassoon in high school, took some lessons on that and then packed it in (I hated sitting on a strap to keep it from moving).  Started playing bass at age 15, took approximately two lessons; self taught ever since (and it of course shows!).  I did take some music theory in high school, and two music courses as part of my bachelor's degree, but that's about it.
 
Alan

I have a Wedding to play in a couple of weeks and I'll have to wear a Tux, does that count as formal OTJ training.  
 
Olie
(I'm here all week folks)

Taught myself to read the dots & theory..did the Royal School of Music theory exams to advanced level, have attempted to play as many styles as I can.
No family history of musical background although grandmother played piano but only by ear.
As with jazzyvee..never too old to learn, never too humble to ask.