I have recently stopped taking lessons. I think it depends on your goals, circumstances and abilities. There are those who I consider hard core that believe, no matter what, you need a teacher. I, seriously, have not noticed it here. There are many instrumentalists who never had a lesson.

My circumstances, I am a senior citizen. I am not interested in playing in any groups, for any audience. This is just for my own benefit and enjoyment.

My goal? I just want to be able to sit and play simple songs for my own enjoyment. I won’t get into a lot of detail.

I quit because, with lessons, at least for me, it was learn a new technique or whatever and work on a song really quick. I never was able to spend enough time on a song to be able to actually play it, and get a firm grasp of what was being learned in that song. Maybe the typical young student can do that, I could not. My last, and best teacher, adjusted to me and we did spend a good deal of time on a piece, but I was still not able to play a song or song section before we added to it. 

New techniques were never allowed to sink in and used comfortably before being pressed on to move forward. That does not work for me. I need more time. It seems like lessons never have a brake pedal. That said, I did need them to learn the basics (bow hold, etc), shifting, some music terms, etc. But, I reached a point with both my cello and viola that I needed to sit back and just let what I was taught become second nature. I can contact my instructor if I feel I am ready and want to add to what I have learned. If I was more serious about my playing, I would choose one of the three instruments, most likely cello.

Since I quit my cello lessons to work on my own, I feel I have improved. I am working on Chanson Triste (a rushed lesson song), and Edelweiss (from a book I purchased). 

On my viola, I am still working on the song we were doing in lessons. One of the few classical pieces that I connected with. I am also working on a song from my time, not classical.

I find that lessons tend to use classical songs. I find them too difficult to follow, I find the change from the beginning to the middle (movements?) to be disjointed and make no sense, therefore I stumble. I find the middle to end to be the same issue. I also do not see where dynamics fall into place on most of the pieces. I don’t hear where p, f, crescendo, etc are needed. I just do not get it. I don’t feel like a p, f, crescendo needs to be anywhere. Like jazz, to me. People here know I do not like jazz. There are some classical pieces that I do not have that issue, but few and far between. But, teachers use classical music. I am not wanting to learn like a child does with the goal of playing in a school, college or community orchestra, or playing professionally. Therefore, for me, lessons are not really the best avenue. I am a recreational player, I guess.

I am not as stressed during my playing time, now. I can feel it when sit down and pick up my instrument. I am now comfortable.

I do think that if you have long term goals that include more serious playing than mine, you might need an instructor, at least to get started.

So, I think it is different for each person.

stringy said
Dont know if this topic has been posted before, probably has but I cant see it anywhere..I have read about thIs on other forums with various opinions. 

  

Oh, by the way, @stringy, it really does not matter if a topic has been brought up before, as far as I am concerned. Ask away, discuss away, as far as I can tell, going through old posts, which I am currently doing, to find answers is quite difficult. Also, this is an entirely different group of active members, techniques and equipment have changed over the years, so revisiting an already discussed topic? As far as I am concerned, is great. This is not being stated as an admin, this is just my personal thought. 

That said, please do not change his topic subject and respond to my comment above. I just wanted to make sure Stringy knew that I, for one, have no problem with repeated questions.

@stringy, If you hve a reliable internet connection, look into online lessons. I was doing my viola online and preferred them above in person. That was a huge surprise. 

I could practice right up tp lesson time. I could re-enforce lesson material immediately after the lesson, No having to pack up and drive to and from lessons. I was more comfortable. The instructor was able to see how I was holding my viola and fingering it. 

I was amazed. I was able to have a stand with a clipboard next to me and was able to take notes as we went along. In the studio, there was no way to do that. 

If you cannot find an instructor, and/or have COVID issues, and who does not, this might be an avenue for you. You might be able to find one that is able to do affordable once or twice a week or even when the instructor has a time slot to fill. 

The music shop was allowed to open and have studio lessons, but I, and every other student my instructor has, opted to keep the online method. 

Of course, you have to have the ability to set up your device in a way you can be seen and you can see. I used my camera and reversed the screen so I could see what the instructor could see before my lesson. I just adjusted my chair if I had to. Pretty much knew where ro put everything after the first lesson online. 

Just another avenue.