A common issue with newbs is that they run their chains too tight... most drives with have some variance throughout the rotation as very few chain rings and cogs are perfectly round.

Back things off from the tightest point and then check it where it is loosest... you should be able to move the chain about half an inch at this point or see a little chain drop off the top.

Any more than this means you should try repositioning the chain ring or replacing it with a better one.