If you are really disciplined you might try the DVD/canned lesson route. I have a bookshelf full of how-to books and videos but sadly most of them are still in pristine condition!

But I find that when I sign up with an instructor I almost always move forward and learn more, faster! My preference these days is group classes. Been taking fiddle, banjo and songwriting most recently. Accomplished more in a year of classes than in many, many years of how-to books and recordings!