Help!

OK, got my new Ibanez guitar- check
Got my new Kustom Arrow 16DFX amp- check
Got nice GYC cable- check.

Plugged in amp, plugged guitar into amp- all lights and indicators operating as they should- yet the amp is not making a sound.

Am I making some gormless rookie mistake here (tried pretty much every permutation of the volume settings on both amp and guitar) or is there something amiss?

Feel free to point and stare- I just want to make some noise :-)

Strumming Tips

I am having major problems with acoustic strumming (with a pick), particular in terms of alternate strumming- the sound when I strum upward sounds like a cat being dragged through a place where cats really shouldn't be dragged. Backwards.

One of Kris' tips (I think in a scales lesson) was to angle the pick slightly which has helped to a degree but I was wondering if anyone had any other tips or lessons/exercises to try. I've looked the strumming lessons on GMC but as far as I can tell there aren't any that focus on this really, really basic (I know, I know!) technique.

Acoustic Beginner

Hello,

I've had an acoustic guitar for a while and have enjoyed playing around with it and learning a bit about musical theory in the process (on the basis I am a musical novice in every sense of the word).

Having toyed around with a few self help books (guitar for dummies anyone?) I improved to the extent I started to really get into to it (I'm still completely crap but can play a few chord progressions with some confidence and now wear my callouses with pride).

Now, after witnessing Kris' excellent e-marketing via You Tube (YOU PRICK ) I'm here and just wanted to know if anyone had any advice on learning with respect to the acoustic guitar. I had a look at some of the lessons but some seemed geared to the electric guitar and others were still above my station.

Anyway, cracking site, here's hoping I can play something relatively simple soon (as I'm investing in an Ibanez after X-mas...)