question for guitarist

[MetalMilitia]

But i think it is good to have a base knowlege of open chords and how the fret board is layed out, note wise before learning how to be mr fancy pants fast picker.
IMO, its running before walking. For instance when you very first started learning you must have just played around with power chords and tabs getting used to actually playing in time and gaining strength and stamina in your fingers and wrists?