The first thing to remember, beginner or not, is to keep the palm of your hand parallel to the fingerboard at all times whether soloing or chording. The thumb has to be in the middle at the back of the neck and NOT over the fingerbaord like many players tend to do. When your hand is correctly placed as I stated, the finger stretch are simpler especially for the pinky finger.

Also, start playing your scales SLOWLY and with the least amount of mistake. It is better to walk perfectly than to run in a bent line. It will pay off in the long run.

Here is a excellent beginners site and will teach you step by step with visuals. How to hold your pick correctly, fingerboard, etc..

http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa071200g.htm

http://www.freeguitarvideos.com/lessons.html

Delight in !!!

Hope this helps?

Then, practice, practice and practice.

You will then improve what you know and then, you need to practice some more.

Just keep doing what you’re doing and if you have any aptitude, you will improve and then you can reckon of taking lessons.

Yea, Jimi Hendrix never took lessons. Are you Jimi?
Yea… me either.
Keep in mind that Jimi did his own thing, and it took PROFESSIONAL MUSICIANS to figure out what he was doing and follow him. Jimi could not work the other way until late in his career. You couldn’t say: “Hey Jimi… 12 bar blues in A!” And have him play it. HE would play what was in HIS head, and OTHER musicians would figure it out and follow. So as ground-breaking as he was, he still wasn’t a ‘professional level musician’ until LATER in his career!

If you never want to leave your bedroom, you can get by on DIY lessons. If you want to be professional quality, you need professional lessons and devote full-time student time for several years. No other way, unless you are a phenom. But if you’re asking this, you (just like me and a miliion-million others) are no phenom. Get the formal lessons.

The process of mind and guitar must come simultaneously, but only by excellent habits of steady practice and keeping the incentive to build upon expertise gradually. You won’t become as a professional until you are really relaxed with the guitar as you are with your arms or legs. And that will not come for several years, at a minimum.

To play as a professional you must build upon experiences or events in playing before others–from small groups to large auditoriums with the same ease as if you were playing in the solitude of your living room. This takes time, perseverance, and practice. Have you noticed how often I mentioned the word practice? That should instill in your mind the importance of it. You cannot grow your calluses and your expertise without practice.

Your best option for now is to get lessons from a reputable and knowledgeable guitarist and teacher so you can get started with excellent practice habits.