Lead guitar for the most part is done using only five notes
.. the pentatonic scale (penta meaning five and scale maeaning fishy??
).
I love showing a newcomer or complete novice this scale which can be learnt in minutes then play a slow rythem on my guitar(12 bar blues progression of three cords) in the same key, while they pick at learning their scale on their guitar. Well all notes match and the look on their faces as they realise they are playing a crude lead really without meaning to, is something to see. Add to that an acceptance that most if not all riffs come from a mistake that somehow sounded better than what you meant to do
you are there..When mastered which does not take long at all you can play the guitar as you would hum a tune..it is really that easy
.
alex