Originally Posted by: CSchlegelThe ability to play scales, chords, riffs, songs, anything evenly in time with good rhythm is fundamental.

At this point, I encourage you to stop focusing or worrying about learning theory & different scale patterns & such. You need to focus on the getting the physical mechanics of playing right.

You need to be able to play any given progression or assortment of open chords or barre chords in time consistently. As far as scales, pick ONE, simple scale pattern from GF2 scale practice. Drill it slowly and in time until you can play it without fail or hesitation.[/QUOTE]
Alright. I'll try that until I can play the scales flawlessly.

[QUOTE=CSchlegel]You've heard it 1,000s of times. :) It is a very generic, stereotypical chord progression that ha been used for many, many songs.

C (I) - Am (vi) - F (IV) - G (V)
"one, six, four, five"

It's the basis of Stand By Me, Stay, Last Kiss (Oh Where Can My Baby Be?), & lots of others. :)