If you're not a member of an archery club, try and find one that's got a contingent of trads and join it. Hanging out and shooting with other trads will get you going a lot quicker than trying to muddle along on your own, or getting advice here, because they can watch you shoot and help you correct any problems you're having. A LOT easier than we can over this internet contraption. [&:]

Check out 'Become the Arrow', a book by Byron Ferguson. VERY good instruction manual.

Everybody is different. Some folks shoot longbows better than recurves, but far more people do better with the 'curve than the longbow. (It's best to have one of each, of course.)

But the one, single piece of advice that is way over and above everything else: HAVE FUN!