hey i've read all the conversation...i just wanted to point out that i had been learning guitar just by myself, reading tabs and online lessons and stuff, never had any vidoes....i just bought dvds "Rock House Learn Rock Guitar Intermediate DVD" and "Rock House Hands of Steel - Workout Routines for Guitarists DVD". it really opened my eyes about scales and lead patterns(I haven't finished the whole dvds yet) the other dvd which is for routine, it has some great great finger picking exercises. I'll say just go for the dvds it will help u a lot and put as much time as u can to learn guitar. One advice "Start really really slow when u first play any lead pattern or pick up any exercise". Good luck , man ;)