Hey Demoniac, fellow self-taught guy here. Basically, what I did was learn major scales and the petatonic scale. I'd say I've also got a decent ear, so I can pick out scales when a note sounds right. Learn a few scales, just the patterns, and then figure out what key it is in, and then you can figure out where on the fret board to start. Thats what I do anyways, though others may offer different, more efficient advice. You can jam on those scales, and you'l pick up new things along the way. Hope this helps.