I also have a friend who could do it right away, and can happily pick squeal every sodding note on the fretboard!
I find them easier to play on the high strings, and on the naturally harmonic places on the fretboard 3,4,5,7,12 fret areas, but otherwise I'm stuck (no need to offer me any advice, I simply cant do it! lol, although your condolences would be appreciated!)
guns dont kill people, people kill people, and monkeys do too (if they've got a gun)