I've started the flute this week by myself and i'm kind of progressing, i'm trying to read as if reading for a university degree. I like the flute and am not learning the violin again due to a back injury (flute doesnt pull in same way).

I restart university on Jan 30th and I've timetabled my flute in like a module, i've been reading as if it was a degree, it seems to be paying off.

My opinion is doing it this way allows motivation, time and encourages me to learn better. University degrees are quite literally self taught guided study, so why not apply those skills to an instrument.

I'm using www.fluteland.com and many many books all cross referenced to ensure methods etc. I played my first piece tonight having never been able to read music at all, although i can play the violin a little, very badly. Felt good and although only three notes, it's a start.

I'm booked in to sit grade one theory first session as well.

Taking lessons is going to happen, but i want to get to a decent level, then find a teacher to check, correct and help me begin preparing for exams and then set further study.

What are peoples opinions on this?

(ive always thought of myself as being musically retarded but i loved listening to it lol.... all of it (cept brass)).

Hi Fusian,

There have been a lot of "shall I teach myself" posts lately - must be New Year's Resolutions kicking in or something!
General consensus seems to have been that there is a lot that a motivated person can do by themselves, but it's well worth investing in a little help at the beginning to ensure that you're not using an inefficient or worse, damaging technique.
You wouldn't want to spend months getting to the "decent level" only to find that the teacher needs to back out everything you've schooled yourself with.

Have a couple of lessons now to make sure you're getting the basics right. Then you know you're on the right track. Bad habits are awful to try to to unlearn!

Definitely agree with Andy - ingrained bad habits on the flute are very hard to undo. And if that happens... think how better you could be spending you time. And your teacher can encourage and motivate you, and having lessons may in turn motivate you too. Good luck :-)

I'd invest in two or three lessons (but make sure the teacher knows that this is the case) to get the basics started. Then you can get going quite well on your own, and then have a lesson every now and again to have a 'check up'!!!