Can I teach myself to

play the guitar?

Yes. You can teach yourself to be a surgeon, too, but no one will want to be around when you do your work. Best bet: find a teacher that is patient, well rounded, and demanding who can help you avoid many of the most common struggles encountered along the path of guitar.

Do I need to be able to read music to play guitar?

No. You can enjoy music for years without ever reading a note. However, learning to read music will open doors that nothing else can, much as learning to read a language creates opportunities for anyone.

Should I learn guitar from tab?

Tablature is a system of writing guitar music that shows where to play a note on the neck, but not when or how long to play it. It is widely available on the internet and is used to share musical ideas, yet it does not convey the complexities of music the way notation does.

A well rounded player will be able to read both notation and tab.