Funny that this thread should suddenly appear: I find myself in pretty much the same boat, Fumble Fingers ! I've always been mainly the singer in any band or set-up I've been in, and relied on other people to play the "fancy bits", while I cheated and got away with the basics. Never had a lesson before (self-taught from "Bert Weedon's Play a Tune a Day - remember that ??)

Now I have the time to spend, and have been out listening to some fabulous guitar-playing, I've got inspired to improve. Just yesterday I called a guitar teacher from the Yellow Pages, who caught me on the hop by saying I could have my first lesson that very evening ! Had a great time, starting from scratch with scales - and he has put me right on some of my bad habits with fingering of chords. Now looking forward to lots and lots of practice, and my next lesson in two weeks time.

Yes, I would definitely say: find a teacher. It gives you the incentive to practise more.

Cheers !
- jeanie