Hello,
I am 17 I have been playing acoustic guitar since I was 10, I taught myself.
Violin is something I`ve wanted to play since I was a small child but my family don`t have much money. I have saved up enough money for myself to buy one. I feel confident about teaching myself as I have aquired books from friends that seem to explain quite clearly. I don`t think I can afford lessons. Has anyone else taught themselves? Am I being practical or do I really need a teacher?

Thanks for your time!

you`ll need a teacher for at least the first year.
i dont have a teacher and i`m doing fairly well only because i`ve played for 3 years with a teacher prior teaching myself. the reason you need a teacher is that he needs to ingrain in you the fundamentals, correct positioning/holding, and other essentials. if i was just to start without any teaching, it would be a clusterfuzz, i`ll learn everything the wrong way and sacrifice violin showmanship just for the sound, which is undesired. This is what i do. After learning the essentials, i downloaded finale, this music notation program. Then i download midis and open them in finale. I use the playback function to practice. I press play and play along with the piece. you should try it, but not before being taught the fundamentals.

hey i agree, see i was taoght buy a teacher well a couple of teachers for nearly FOUR years then i put my violin down for two years and now iv desided to pick it up again. ill aventualy get another teach but for now im teaching my self the basics again. its hard and you need pataince so i recomend getting a teacher for year maybe more cos then you`ll learn to respect your violin then you can teach yourself your own way with confidence. i hope my advice helps you!merry christmas

i`d say if you know where the positions are, teach yourself, and then have someone show you (later) the things you need to work on.

well either way works... if you really get used to something quickly and you cant change easily id suggest going straight to a teacher. but if you are different you might beable to get by the other way

while I do agree that having a teacher is the best way to go, especially when first starting out, don`t let that stand in your way. If you want to play, play. Unless you are looking to go solo in a symphony then there is nothing wrong with it. Sure your techniques will need to be improved upon but you can get a feel for the instrument now and perhaps later you can afford to see a teacher to make the necessary corrections.

.. if thomas jefferson taught himself to play violin, so can i

ihope so iam 14 and i will try to teach my self

do you have a friend willing to teach you the basics?