Ive actually taken your advice and have been doing exactly what you recommend, you make it look so easy you're my guitar hero, I even learn a new song unplugged so I dont drive my wife crazy, and then increase the volume as I get better, I use different picks depending on what song it is, Im playing a Fender Strat with a VOX VT 20X amp, thanks so much for your input, it is always welcome, Keith