Hi Nick[br] I'm a lead guitar player in a hair metal / classic rock band . I learned my licks by learning the leads to my favorite songs . I would suggest finding some songs you like that aren't to hard to play and learning those leads . After you learn then try and determine what scale they used to play them .

As far as jamming goes I would stick with the minor and major penatonic for now . If nothing else get yourself a looper , play a few chords and try putting a lead over them . It won't be to long till it stops sounding like scales and starts sounding like a lead .

Good luck

Tim