ORIGINAL: Rafael23cc
Common mistake that newibes make. DO NOT TRY TO LEARN BY YOURSELF. It will take double the time and effort if you try it by yourself. An experienced flying buddy will make the learning curve shallower and simpler.
Finding one is sometimes easier said than done. The only other person I know who flies helis has been doing it longer than I have but is afraid to take the training gear off. IMO, it's better to try to learn by yourself in a convenient locale than to not fly at all because it's too much of a hassle to drive the extra distance to meet up with someone.
BTW, I spent a lot of time in your neck of the woods while I was in college over at K-State.