Quote Originally Posted by somethingfunny
One thing you want to do, is learn alternate (up and down) picking from the start. Most people start with only down picking, and it's a very tough habit to break (as I unfortunately learned ). You'll want to play pretty much everything alternate picked, unless it's heavy metal such as metallica or megadeth (hetfield never alt picked, afaik). Learn how all the scales and modes go together- major, dorian, phrygian, lydian, myxolidian, aeolian (minor), and locrian

I am sure there are websites out there that teach you all about that, once you learn basic theory you will be able to construct any chord you want without looking at a chart, and it will help x1000 with improvising.. it's also good to understand what you're playing.

I can get you started over email or aim, let me know if you want help :thumbsup:
picking downward to learn is fine...once u catch onto it then u slowly use alternating, besides alot of songs u can use only down picking if u want to, just make a routine for ur self everyday and follow it