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do they not have a music sheet

if not ask what key they are playing in

then you will know what chords are likely to sound right in that key (and if  you don't know enough theory to do that - someone here will give you an idea

othewise its tuning issue (and some good advice here already)

I tend to go along with the consensus here that Led Zep are not a metal band

- however cytania is right to point to Zep as a ancestor because black sabbath were influenced by led zep but wanted a "heavier" sound. Certainly 'dazed and confused' is a riff often copied in early metal 

Ironbutterfly also played a part in defining the bass line - In da gadda da vida could have appeared  on any sabbath album

as to other forerunners - no one's mentioned hendrix - hendrix more than anyone else invented (almost single handedly) the lead  guitar style that underpins heavy metal.

finally deep purple must share some of the credit (or perhaps some  of the blame).

Try these sites for some tips on strumming

http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa072600e.htm
http://www.activeguitar.com/lessons/guitar/19-1.asp

Try these sites for some tips on strumming

http://guitar.about.com/library/weekly/aa072600e.htm
http://www.activeguitar.com/lessons/guitar/19-1.asp

My least favorite chord is C or G Barre shape (but I don't use them much)

however open chords have become easier with practice

it good to have a good chord dictionary with alternative fingerings - try this site 

www.guitarknowledgenet.com/LearningRoot/chords1.html

one point of advice

do beware bad transcriptions in book or on web site. Most are good but some are not

the most common problem is that the chord changes are harder than they should be - because the transcriber has not given the most appropriate shape

for example if you are used to playing barre chords a quick change from a E to F is fairly straightforward but in open chords its not so easy   

cheers

If you are learning classical guitar the guitar should be on your right knee with a stool to raise the leg a few inches. Otherwise most players rest it on the left leg. Someone will know where a picture is

it takes a long time to play the guitar properly - not only is sight reading hard but training your fingers to play the notes takes time. If you are learning barre chords - then you are probably on the right track

pressing the strings down for barre chords in particular requires lots of practice (and it takes times for your fingers to achieve the necessary strength. Practice a little every day will help 

if you are playing classical music or want to sight read then don't write the names of the notes
under the notes (you have to learn the notes, I'm afraid)

Finally - don't give up - it sounds as if you are making solid progress - if you are enjoying it, stay with it

sounds like fun - and other people ask how to practice (sounds like you have the answer to that one)

Play electric and acoustic but usually practice on my electric because heavy strings make my fingers hurt (boo hoo)

In reply to hopeful - MOR means middle of the road.  I've edited my post

By coincidence "In the Middle of the Road" just happens to be a great song by the Pretenders who had a very capable female Rythm guitarist, song writer and vocalist - Chrissie Hynde

First look carefully at the song and make sure that you can hear the whole song in your head.

In general strumming pattern are used to sketch out the tune. Some songs are recorded with a simple strum pattern but most pop groups use a more complex rhythm. However that should not stop you playing along to the songs using a strumming pattern.
Many solo guitarist rely on strumming patterns in at least part  of their repetoire.

First you need to try to divide the song into "bars". These are the measures of time which govern the song structure. Bars are sections of the song which each last a equal amount of time. The precise length of time will vary from song to song.  A bar might last for 2 seconds for a rock song and 5 seconds for a slow ballad.

Think about whether this is a ballad or a uptempo rock song.

It may help by starting to play equally spaced up and down strokes ( four downstrokes in every measure). This will help you find the appropriate tempo and to work out where the chords change

Next you have to try to work out the rate of chord change in the song

You might start by assuming that the chords change at the start of each measure. However there may be parts of the song where it becomes apparent that the same chord last for several measures. You may also find that there are parts of the song where the rate of chord changes picks up a bit. Two chords per bar is common.

For most rock songs each measure of music will be divided into four beats. Not all beats may be played and the guitarist may subdivide the beats but these song nethetheless have an underlying 1 2 3 4 beat rythm. The first beat in the measure typically has a very clear emphasis.   This is called "common time" or 4/4 time.   

Some advice now on strumming patterns. We can''t stay with downstrokes for ever.

A word  first about the notation used below

V indicates a down stroke
n indicates an upstroke

The first pattern is a common time pattern known simply as down strokes.  I mentioned earlier. These are four equal downstokes in each measure

When you  raise your hand to begin the next down stroke make sure that it does not touch the strings of the guitar on its way up but keep the speed of your arm pretty constant 

1...&...2...&...3...&...4...&
V........V........V.......V....

The second pattern is called eights 

It includes an upstroke between each downstroke

1...&..2...&...3...&...4...&...
V...n...V...n..V...n...V...n...

The next patterns are popular variations on eights. This seems to be popular with Chordies

1..&...2...&...3...&...4...&
V.......V...n...V...n...V...n

Many songs alternate these patterns between measures. So for example a song might start with one eights pattern and replace that in the second bar with another before reverting to the first pattern

Now the more common variations.

There are many songs which use Sixteenths. This divides the each quarter beat into four

1...e...&...a...2...e...&...a...3...e...&...a....4...e...&...a
V...n...V...n...V...n...V...n...V...n...V...n...V...n...V...n

Many of these songs are quite funky. It is therefore rare that the guitarist simply strums all the notes in a sixteenth pattern. Usually many of the sixteenths strums will be missed leaving rests.   

You also come across songs in Waltz time or 3/4 time. This is very  different to common time. The underlying beat is 1,2,3. It is relatively rare in rock music but more common in country and folk. The most basic Waltz strum pattern is fairly straightforward

1...&.. 2...&..3...&
V........V......V....