A couple guitar questions

Question

I've been playing guitar for a few years, but I started playing punk rock where I slammed out power chords the whole time, then I switched for acoustic playing, where I just strum as I sing along.

My first question...I watch these guys playing guitar and instead of just strumming the chords like I usually do, they got these great little melodies and it sounds like two guitars. I try to watch and see what they are doing, but they never show the guitar. They just show the singer. So i was wondering, how can I do that with my acoustic? are they're some exercises?

Okay, my next question is...I was watching Derek and The Dominoes and Eric Clapton played the opening riff and then he would kind of strum his guitar but you never seemed to really hear the guitar until he started soloing. So, I was wondering what he was doing? Does he not really play until then, or what? I'd like to start playing electric a little more, but I want to play pretty music rather than the punk I started out with.

If I can learn some more techniques and how these guys play, I could expand my playing. I fear my songs are starting to sound the same.

I can play well but I don't really have much experience playing in a band so these things kind of go over my head.

If you can help, I'd really appreciate it.

Answer 1

In answer to your first question, I think you might be referring to a certain finger picking style.  A lot of people will use their thumb to play a bass line on the top couple of strings, and use their other fingers to play the melody.  

Answer 2

ok, for the chord part they're playing notes that belong to the particular chord. like, a C chord would have C E G B in it and all other notes would be passing tones, to make the melody more colorful.

here's a simple jazz chord melody:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhRYuqJay...

here's a chord solo:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJJXusY6O...

for excercises i would get "A modern Method for guitar: Book one" from William Leavitt. I use that one and it's for guitarists who are ready to expand their skillz.

for the eric clapton thing i think he's definately playing you just don't hear it. The chords he plays are just like a "bed" for the lyrics and the melody of his voice. it sort of just "goes with it". The soloing is meant to be heard, so of course you hear it!