Opeth isn't for someone who's JUST picked the instrument up. However, I started learning Patterns in the Ivy about 2 months into my playing.
You'll never jump a hurdle unless you actually attempt it. So whenever you can, throw yourself into the deep end and your ability will acclimatise to what you're trying to play.
A month ago I would've said that I'd never play Malmsteen's 'Blitzkrieg' up to the speed he recorded it at. Well what do you know, a month later, I'm almost there.
It's about being persistent and putting in the hard work to get results. Above all, however, you need to enjoy every single moment of playing the instrument. Never force yourself into doing something you don't enjoy or don't see its relevance to you.
Guitar is a hard instrument to start on.
It's an easy instrument to play crap on.
It's a very hard instrument to play very well.
In that middle point there is where this huge majority of mainstream guitarists seem to fit into. Punk, pop-rock, alternative rock... these are just people who've picked the instrument up, jumped the initial hurdle and then just confined themselves playing simple powerchord rock.
Electrics vs Acoustics
The most difficult type of standard 6-string guitar to play is a steel string acoustic. They require the most pressure applied by your fingers and build playing finesse and endurance. I recommend starting on one of these - I did, and despite making that initial hurdle so many times harder, it jumpstarted my playing ability immeasurably.
There is a version of acoustic guitar that is almost as easy to play as an electric. That would be the nylon-string acoustic. These are used mainly for flamenco and the like. Not the richest of sounds, so I don't play these much.
Electric guitar is the end of the line I guess. I waited about 6-8 months before I got my first electric. Playing electric guitar is a different thing to acoustic. They require different mindsets. Don't be a rock guitarist who just jumps on an acoustic and plays powerchords, and don't be a classical guitarist who just jumps on the electric and plays bach suites. Electric guitars with distortion emphasize upper harmonics. Learn where harmonics occur on the strings, learn pinch harmonics, use bends, use vibratos to your advantage. Do these things that are less impressive and less possible on acoustic guitars. Then when you're too lazy to break out the acoustic, play the bach suites with a clean electric sound
. But what I'm really trying to say, and I hope I'm not confusing you, is to learn the advantages of each type of guitar and to adjust your playing style to use them.
