It has gotten to the point in my life where I'm confused regarding as to how to progress and improve my guitar playing. As frustrated as I am, I thought perhaps that maybe by going back to where I had started and to answer those musical questions of "why" that had come up so frequently in the past might help unravel this mental knot.

Which brings me to the "leads" (I apologize for my ineptitude of the musical rhetoric) of contemporary music. What allows for certain notes to comprise a lead? What sort of know-how should a lead guitarist have to be at the very least proficient at his craft? Are there specific guidelines one must follow so that the guitar leading portion of a piece sounds "in place", for a lack of a better phrase, with its rhythm counterpart?

Maybe someone out there whose been in my kind of plight can suggest reading material for a wannabe artist? (Like for sight-reading, I seriously sometimes can't tell a rest from a clef.)

I thank you for any offered assistance, for it is always welcomed.

On a side note: I'd like to say Hey to y'all. First time poster, short time reader, prospective long term supporter. Once again, thanks.