This is a question for most guitar players from novice to expert. It is a lifelong pursuit that has many rewards. Let’s break down a few versions of lead guitar.

Basic
This falls under the category of the player that just wants to do simple single note melodies. Like the lead lines song centric from Beatles to nirvana.

Next Level
Learning the pentatonic scale.  All positions.  Learning some rock licks within the scale from your favorite players.  There are tons of examples on YouTube to help you get started.  Also look up interviews of your favorite guitar players and learn about what inspiration they used to become the players they are!

THIS ALONE IS A LIFETIME OF WORK WITH GREAT REWARDS. HERE ARE SOME SPECIFIC TYPE OF PLAYERS.

Shredder
If you are into this type of playing you need to practice a lot. And with purpose. You are doing finger workouts.  Plain and simple start slowly and use a metronome is something EVERY legit SHREDDING player will tell you.

Rocker with Chops
For those players who like joe Perry ,slash ,Stevie ray vaughn ,Eric Clapton ,Jimi page Jim Hendrix. Just to name a few. This is a balance of some serious work on your dexterity with some very serious listening the the execution. The “how they are doing it “ is key.  This is all about phrasing.   Bends. Slides legato alternate picking etc.

Of course this is just a small sample size.  There are many styles of music with terrific lead. Bluegrass  country ,jazz, gypsy jazz, flamenco, countless other styles. I would recommend finding an guitar instructor to give you feedback, knowledge ,and inspiration on your specific style and level.

What is the best guitar strings for a guitar player?
This question is often asked. From beginner to advanced guitar students.   

The difference between the strings used in electric and acoustic guitar is the material. The strings for electric guitar are made of nickel, chromium alloys and steel. Strings used on acoustic guitars are typically made of bronze, bronze alloys, or nylon. Acoustic guitar also requires a thicker string gauge for amplified sound.

The simple answer is that a nylon acoustic string will give you a classical sound (finger style ,solo guitar, gypsy jazz). Nylon strings are made with softer materials and have lesser tension making them easier to handle than other strings. However, pain and difficulty in pushing down guitar strings are part of the learning process. The faster you’ll get callouses, the quicker you’ll be used to the finger pressure. 

A steel string is more for those of you who want to sing and strum. It is the guitar you want for anything rock and pop music. Also for those of you interested in bluegrass and country music! There are many choices of course. ​

Here is the list of the guitar string brands I recommend. They are all USA made guitar strings.
Ernie Ball - Made in California
D'Addario - Made in New York
​Dean Markley - Made in Michigan
Fender - Made in California


Is lighter gauge strings easier to play?

Lighter gauge strings are easier to play than heavier gauge strings because they require less tension. This means that your fingers don’t have to work as hard to press down or bend the string, which makes fretting chords and notes easier. One drawback of lighter Gaged strings is that they have a better chance of breaking, especially on the top 2 strings.
 
Again, the faster you’ll get callouses, the quicker you’ll be used to the finger pressure. 

WARNING. If you buy a cheap quality guitar, it will not stay in tune and will be a huge struggle to play.
An article of specific recommendations of valuable guitars will be coming soon. So stay posted!

There are no rules. These guitars are only limited by your imagination.
Check it out for yourself