Wow, I'm in shock and awe! Such friendly comments from everyone! Ivan, it's interesting that you should post in this thread because the style I'm going for is very similar to one of your lessons in particular, the Gary Moore lesson!
http://www.guitarmasterclass.net/solo-guit...advanced-level/(as a side note, if any of you know very very similar lessons to this particular one, I would really appreciate it! I love the style) Ivan - I'll do a little bit more searching around in your section to see if I can't find more videos for inspiration.
As for the "Rome not built in a day" and "it just takes time" - I'm glad that you guys have given me a solid answer. From guitar alone I realized that some things really DO just come in time and after specific milestones of study (no matter what field of study some times!). So, I will continue to push forward.
One thing I did notice one of my friends do, in a class actually, was writing music using the actual music notations (the bars and staves and notes etc etc) - should I try to learn that so I can pull ideas out of my head a little bit more...intuitively, or should I keep going with writing my ideas out in TABs?
Also, is it "right" and "okay" to copy someone elses "popularized" or "well-known" licks? And (if not, which I think is the asnwer), how do I go about manipulating the given lick to produce a more personal sound that resembles the popular, well accepted lick? Do I need to know the Theory behind the lick and then explore possible note selections from there? Or is there a more simplistic way? Unfortunately I'm just starting on Andrew Cockburn's Music theory lessons so I'm really new with the topic and won't have a real foundation in Theory for awhile.
So many questions - so many more to come, I'm sure!
Edit: Thought of another question: When making my own Licks - is it best to know the Theory beforehand so I don't "violate any rules"? Or is it okay just to go with what I think sounds right and leave it at that? I know you could technically do it the latter way but is it "preferred" amongst the professionals to have specific theory knowledge of the imagined lick?
Two answers before I hit the sack.
Regarding your question about writing your music down...You asked if you should go for either Tab or Sheet Music, and I would say both! Knowing Sheet Music provides you an almost unlimited access to both rock music and classical compositions. Everything which is written in sheet music can be adapted to every instrument imaginable, and I think that it is a great advance to be able to read it! Sure, it is somewhat easier to write in tab, and as for us simple guitarists it is also easier to learn from
But in the end, I think that if you study both, you will be prepared for a lot more than if you just study one of them intensely!
And your question about licks....YES! Of course it is both ALLOWED and RECOMMENDED that you use/interpret other musicians licks and try to incorporate them in your playing in a fashion which you find suitable for your attitude.
Countless of guitarists, and other musicians as well, have learned from their inspirations, and theres nothing wrong with paying your due to your heritage by adapting a lick to your sound and ideals. Just rock on and don't directly rip-off the musical ideas and contexts behind the lick/songs, make it happen your own personal way!
Enjoy yourself, thats what matters!
Good riddance.