it depends a lot on the person really. some people can just pick up an instrument and play others take lessons. personally, i taught myself to play guitar. i got some guitar tabs(sheet music for guitar tab) and by them and playing by ear i've learned to play fairly well. since then i have learned to play drums, bass guitar(if you know how to play guitar you can play a bass), and i've even tried a little piano.
i know a little bit about reading music mind you, but guitar tabs are the way to go if you are going to teach yourself guitar. they are printed just like the fretboard and you just have to read up on what's a slide, hammer-on, and such.
i can play by ear so i don't find it too hard to figure most things out. i may not be able to tell you exactly what i'm doing mind you (that's where lessons come in handy). if you have access to a good music teacher i'd say go for the lessons, if not well check out some tabs and see what you can do.
good luck
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