Originally posted by Benoit
It's also easier to learn the right way first instead of unlearning the bad habits.

Sometimes it is good to struggle, because it's part of the learning process. I see all those kids at stores that can play awesome licks, but have no hear whatsoever. Learning by yourself let's you develop your ears, because you're the one teaching yourself. That's why I have posted somewhere that you should record yourself all the time, and listen back to it. You'll hear what your teacher would hear. A teacher is not someone who has something you don't have. He's just someone who sees you and hears you through his senses.
(I'm not saying 'don't get a teacher', I'm saying 'get one, AND work on your own...')