I have been reading some posts in all of the forums about teaching yourself an instrument. There are a few people who say that it is absolutley necessary to have a teacher. Why do you need a teacher? Yes, you will probably learn faster, and you might be better in the long run, but I don`t think you need a teacher. I have taught myself the flute, and now I am learning the oboe. On my own. No outside help, with the exception of a book. Please, tell me why a teacher is a MUST!

My best guess would be that you might be playing something wrong when you really thing you`re playing it right, that`s when the teacher comes in.

^yea, especially on the oboe. teach yourself the clarinet, but not the oboe of all instruments!

(i play clarinet, i could probably teach myself just as well as my band director, if i had a few books and did my research)

Music is not just about getting the notes or rhythm correct.
If u just wish to attain that level, then of caz u may just study from a `learn-it-yourself` text.
There`s so much intricate details like tone, touch that u cannot pick up yourself. U have to have a decent teacher to show u what `Music` is really all about. If not, your playing will be just purely mechanical with no substance... just puddle and blocks od notes-that is, if you played all the notes correctly, if not it`ll just be nonsense.
Do get a teacher if you wish to play decently or have something sucstantial to pass on to your children or whoever is next in line.

Yer, without a teacher, you wont learn bout wat the meaning of the song is. You could definetly learn the notes on your own, but music isnt just about notes, its about feeling. If you cant get a teacher then try your best to make the best sound that you can, play a lot infront of people, and ask for some critical critisism. Good Luck

i started the cello a couple of months ago.
i`ve taught myself to play guitar and piano and whistle and thought i`d teach myself cello too.
i soon found that there is a lot more to playing the cello than there is the other instruments that i`d learned.
i got a teacher and was surprised at how much there was to learn and how easily you could learn it if only you were shown by an expert.
i know its expensive, but get a tutor.

It is neccesary to have a teacher because the cello is a unique and challengeing instrument. Without some guidence from a good teacher the person will learn bad habits.

I learned the flute by myself for two weeks before my parents got me a teacher and when i went to her she said i was three grades advanced for a beginner but i had already learned to play the piano so it wasnt that hard but when it came to learning cello i couldnt teach myself at all cause i just couldnt figure out the fingering from the pictures in the book. So basicaly i think a teacher is only needed if you get really stuck or if you want to advance through grades.