C77,
I don't believe that you could legally train yourself to do longline. Since you have to attach a cable to your helicopter to do so, I believe that you would fall into the area that would require you to have a 133 certificate. Just my .02.
I did my training in a R44. Didn't like it. The T-bar made it difficult to know where the cyclic really was. Remember much of the controls are done by feel backed up by what you are seeing. At least that is the way it worked for me and from what my instructor told me. As you become more familiar and comfortable with it, easier it becomes.