I learned to play first the trumpet, then guitar (some), then organ, without much help other than high school band. My mother signed me up for piano lessons when I was seven, but I didn't stay with it long. It did however, give me a start as far as learning the keys and notes and we always had a piano and/or organ in the house because she was very accomplished at both, as long as she had music in front of her.
I can read any treble clef line but never paid much attention to the left hand, so started faking it with the chord structure. Learned what little I know about singing on the bandstand and imitating people. That's NOT the way to do it!
I don't think it is destructive to get off topic some, and I love hearing about how the others learned to do what we do, but I do apologize if South isn't the right direction!