I appreciate your comments, AX,
It sounds like you've gone through the stage where I'm at now. In my case, I tend to be analytical anyhow, so digging into some theory and looking at patterns has led me to the hope that I'll be able to find the "right" notes.
Your point about "fostering creativity" caught my eye. I have no clue about how to approach that. My first thought would be to start reading all about it, but I'd probably end up again where I am now.
So, would noodling around with a backing track, hoping that music falls out be a way to eventually "feel" where good notes would be on the fretboard? I'm a little skeptical, as I can't even hum a tune "creatively". Am I doomed forever to play songs that I already know from the
radio?