well, since about a month, now.

I cant afford lessons but I'v got a book with cd.
utube and improvisation stuff is keeping me going. (I know somethings from playing the guitar for many years.)

How necessary is a teacher? People keep saying that I definately need a teacher.
I wonder what I might be missing out on, therefore the question.

Rightly said:

It depends on how naturally talented you are and you're "ear" for music.

If you can sit and jam with other musicians, with no music and just "feeling" you're way through, you'll probably be fine. People that can't do that tend to need somewhere to start, which will be lessons.

Lessons can be helpful for rudiments and playing technique and also for theory and music reading, but I wouldn't say its essential. I had already been playing by ear for a few years before I got the opportunity to have lessons. However, I had about 12 lessons and decided they weren't for me, so I remain basically self-taught on all the instruments I play. It was the same situation with drum kit, as it was piano. Guitar and bass I've never had any lessons at all.

Mindflux said:

thanks for the reply.
At the moment my understanding of the instrument seems to be moving faster than my fingers. And I feel quite good about it all.
But sometimes I wonder if a good teacher could give me some boost, or save me from going down the wrong road.