I want to try lance out for the first time. Anyone got any advice for that weapon?
I divide it into two parts in my head, the basic melee work and closing the distance. The triple poke is your basic combo, but you can cancel out at the end by sidestepping or jumping back, allowing you to keep attacking. This is the standard lancer style, notching up damage and staying in close. The counter move is good if you're about to be attacked, but while you are in close, you also want to get your silkbite grapple in- ZL+X, costs two wirebug charges.
You know it's in effect because you can see the silk wire. This then means that once the monster moves away, ZL+B will launch you back at it, allowing you to get in a heavy strike and then settle into your melee routine. Your other options to close in if you haven't got that up:
A) your charge move (A+X while blocking), you can either attack with x as you reach the target or jump and attack with b then x (my preference).
B) from the palamute, practise dismounting forwards (b) into a Lance draw attack (x).
C) just run in and use an unsheathe attack.
Generally the silkbite launch is the quickest and strongest, then if that isn't an option use the charge, and use the palamute instead of the charge if you're a bit too far away to charge or need to dodge projectiles on the way in. You'll soon get used to which way to close in is most effective in the circumstances.
90% of the time as a lancer you'll be doing one of those two routines. There are other moves (the horizontal swipe, the silkbite counter that increases your attack strength as you are attacked), but I'd recommend sticking with practicing your close-range melee and closing-the distance until you're comfortable with those core elements.