basics

it is essential for every guitarist to look back at his basics every now and then, at least thats my take on it.i realized this quite late though.basic exercises like the spider the legato technique,chromatics should be done on regular basis for a sound base.
the advantage being that it becomes much easier to pick up songs and to become adept to a certain style of music.it is also essential that one keeps an idol and follows that person religiously,by following his lessons or by trying to copy his playing style(initially).