Folks who are just starting out.. If you take no other advice from me, take this... always Always ALWAYS practice with a metronome. I've been playing guitar now off and on for about 4~5 years... I never used a metronome and I am dearly paying the price now.

I've had to hire a guitar instructor to help me out, help get my rhythms into check. Oh sure, I'll play something for someone and they will like, I get compliments and what not, but that's not playing with a drummer. One of my best friends who I've know since high school (class of 85) is a drummer and all but refuses to play with me because I screw up his tempo.. He totally dogs me and rightfully so.

Get in the habit because it's your guitar playing best friend.