Unlock Fingerstyle Guitar: A Beginner's Guide to Beautiful Fingerpicking

Are you fascinated by the rich, intricate sounds of fingerstyle guitar? Do you dream of creating beautiful melodies and harmonies with just your fingers? Whether you’re just starting your guitar journey or you’re an intermediate player looking to expand your skills, learning How To Finger Pick Guitar can open up a whole new world of musical expression.

Many guitarists begin their musical journey with a pick, and while there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, discovering how to play guitar without a pick, known as fingerstyle, is like unlocking a secret level in your playing. It’s a technique that brings out the natural resonance and warmth of an acoustic guitar, often making it sound even more captivating.

I, too, embarked on the fingerstyle path, initially navigating it alone. This experience has given me insights into how to make your learning process smoother and faster, helping you play more beautifully, sooner.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

The fundamental basics of fingerstyle guitar.
Essential techniques for your picking hand.
Three easy-to-learn fingerpicking patterns.
How to leverage open chords to create stunning fingerstyle arrangements.

Let’s dive in and discover the art of fingerstyle guitar.

What Exactly Is Fingerstyle Guitar?

The definition is quite simple: fingerstyle guitar means playing the guitar solely using your fingers, without any pick or plectrum. While often associated with fingerpicking, fingerstyle encompasses more than just picking individual notes. It also includes strumming chords with your fingers.

Many associate fingerstyle primarily with fingerpicking, envisioning delicate arpeggios and intricate melodies. However, fingerstyle is a broader technique. You can also create full, rhythmic strums using your fingers, offering a softer, warmer alternative to pick strumming. This versatility is what makes fingerstyle such a rich and expressive technique.

Fingerstyle Guitar Practice: Your Path to Playing Songs You Love Faster

Most guitarists start their learning journey using a pick, which is a perfectly valid approach. However, learning how to play guitar fingerstyle, or without a pick, unlocks a completely new palette of sounds and textures. The acoustic guitar, in particular, truly shines when played fingerstyle, often sounding richer and more resonant than with a pick.

Don’t just take my word for it. Observe Nathaniel Murphy, a true master of fingerstyle guitar, in the video below. He expertly demonstrates how to unleash the full potential of his acoustic guitar through fingerstyle playing.

[Video of Nathaniel Murphy playing fingerstyle guitar]

If you are keen on beginner fingerstyle guitar lessons, there are several fundamental skills you can master right away to set yourself up for success. We will cover these essential techniques in this article.

Note: While this guide is primarily geared towards acoustic guitar, you can absolutely apply these techniques to your electric guitar as well. The core principles of fingerstyle remain the same, and you’ll find that electric guitar can also sound fantastic when played with your fingers, offering a different tonal quality and dynamic control.

Fingerpicking vs. Strumming: Understanding the Difference

Many accomplished fingerstyle guitarists seamlessly blend both fingerpicking and strumming techniques into their playing. Each technique serves a different purpose and contributes to the overall sound in unique ways.

Fingerpicking excels when clarity and articulation are desired. It’s perfect for when you want each note to ring out distinctly, creating intricate melodies and arpeggios. Think of delicate folk tunes or complex classical pieces – fingerpicking is often the go-to technique.

Strumming, on the other hand, is invaluable when you need a fuller, rhythmically driven sound. Whether you strum all the strings or just a select few, it adds harmonic richness and rhythmic drive to your playing. Strumming with your fingers can produce a warmer, less harsh sound than pick strumming, making it ideal for singer-songwriter styles or gentler musical pieces.

Fingerpicking is generally considered the more technically demanding of the two. It requires developing independent control over each finger and your thumb, a skill that takes practice to cultivate. However, don’t be intimidated! Learning fingerpicking guitar can be surprisingly accessible, even for beginners, especially when you start with simple, well-structured exercises. With consistent practice and the right approach, you can master fingerpicking and add this beautiful technique to your guitar skills.

Fingerstyle Guitar Basics: Building a Solid Foundation

Establishing proper technique from the beginning is crucial. It not only helps you play more efficiently and musically but also prevents potential injuries and makes playing acoustic fingerstyle as comfortable as possible over the long term. Think of it as building a house – a strong foundation ensures the structure is stable and long-lasting.

While various approaches exist for learning fingerstyle guitar, this guide adopts a perspective tailored to singer-songwriters and modern folk/pop guitarists. This means we’ll focus on techniques that are versatile and applicable to a wide range of contemporary musical styles.

Picking-Hand Position: Finding Your Anchor

Maintaining a relaxed and stable picking hand is essential for fingerstyle playing. Here’s how to achieve a good hand position:

Rest Your Palm Lightly: Gently place the outer edge of your palm on the bridge of your guitar, where the strings are anchored. This contact point provides stability and a reference for your hand position. Avoid pressing down too hard; a light touch is all you need.
Keep Your Wrist Relaxed: It’s crucial to keep your wrist relaxed. Tension in your wrist can lead to fatigue and hinder your finger movement. Let your arm rest naturally and comfortably on the guitar body. Everything else in your hand position should follow from this relaxed arm and wrist.
Diagonal Finger Movement: When you pluck a string, your fingers should move slightly diagonally in relation to the strings. This diagonal motion allows for a clean and efficient pluck, minimizing unnecessary movement and maximizing control. Imagine your fingers moving in a gentle arc towards your palm.

Optional Pinky Anchor: Some fingerstyle guitarists find it helpful to use their pinky finger as an anchor. This involves lightly resting your pinky on the guitar body near the highest (thinnest) string. The pinky anchor can provide extra stability for your hand, especially when you’re just starting out. However, it’s not mandatory, and many players prefer to keep their pinky free. Experiment to see if anchoring your pinky feels comfortable and beneficial for your playing.

Which Fingers to Use for Fingerpicking? Assigning Roles

In fingerstyle guitar, each finger of your picking hand typically has a designated role, allowing you to efficiently pluck different strings. This division of labor makes complex patterns more manageable and intuitive.

Thumb (T): Your thumb is primarily responsible for the bass strings – typically the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (E, A, and D). It provides the foundational bass notes and rhythmic pulse in many fingerstyle patterns.
Index Finger (1 or i): The index finger usually takes care of the 3rd string (G). It often plays melody notes and contributes to the mid-range frequencies.
Middle Finger (2 or m): The middle finger is generally assigned to the 2nd string (B). Like the index finger, it can handle melody notes and add to the harmonic texture.
Ring Finger (3 or a): The ring finger typically plucks the 1st string (high E). It often plays the highest melody notes and adds brilliance to the overall sound.
Pinky Finger (4 or p): While not always used for plucking, the pinky can be used for more complex patterns or as a support/anchor, as mentioned earlier. For most beginner patterns, focus on the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers.

The Plucking Motion: Flicking for Tone

To pluck a string effectively with your fingers, use a controlled “flicking” motion:

Contact with the Fingertip: Begin by making contact with the tip of your finger on the string you intend to pluck. Use a light but firm touch.
Flick Towards the Palm: Next, move through the string by flicking the tip of your finger in a direction towards your palm. This flicking motion, originating from the knuckle joint, generates the sound. Avoid pulling the string upwards or downwards, as this can create unwanted string noise and less control.
Thumb Plucking: To pluck a string with your thumb, make contact with the fleshy part of your thumb (the side of your thumb, not the tip) and then flick downwards towards your index finger. This downward flicking motion is characteristic of thumb-based fingerpicking.

Note on Finger Grouping: Sometimes, especially when playing across different string sets, you’ll find that the index, middle, and ring fingers will shift down together as a unit to cover the 4th, 3rd, and 2nd strings. This is a natural adjustment to maintain efficient finger movement and reach the desired strings.

How to Learn Fingerstyle Picking Patterns: A Step-by-Step Approach

Learning fingerstyle picking patterns is best approached systematically. Break down the process into manageable steps to build muscle memory and coordination gradually.

Step 1: Picking Hand Practice on Open Strings: Start by practicing with your picking hand only on open strings. Don’t worry about fretting chords with your left hand yet. Focus solely on getting comfortable with the fingerpicking pattern itself. Mute the strings lightly with your left hand if needed to avoid unwanted noise, or simply rest your left hand gently on the neck. Repeat the pattern slowly and rhythmically, focusing on evenness and consistency.
Step 2: Pattern with Bass Note on Low E String: Choose a simple chord, like G major or C major, that has its root (bass note) on the low E string (6th string). Practice the fingerpicking pattern, ensuring your thumb consistently plucks the low E string as the bass note. Keep the left-hand chord shape simple and focus on coordinating your picking hand with the chord changes.
Step 3: Bass Notes on A and D Strings: Repeat Step 2, but now choose chords that have their bass notes on the A string (5th string), such as D major or Am, and then on the D string (4th string), such as Em or G/D (G chord with D as bass). This step helps you become comfortable with your thumb targeting different bass strings within the pattern.
Step 4: Pattern Across Multiple Bass Notes within One Chord: Select a chord shape, like C major or open G, that allows you to easily access all three low bass notes (E, A, and D strings). Practice the pattern, and in each measure (or bar), intentionally pick a different bass note with your thumb. For example, in the first measure, pluck the E string, in the second measure, pluck the A string, and in the third measure, pluck the D string, then repeat. This exercise develops thumb independence and rhythmic variation.
Step 5: Chord Progression Practice: Choose a simple chord progression using chords you are familiar with, such as C-G-Am-F. Practice the chosen fingerpicking pattern while smoothly transitioning between the chords in the progression. Start slowly and gradually increase the tempo as you become more comfortable. Focus on maintaining a consistent rhythm and clean chord changes while executing the picking pattern.

Below are diagrams illustrating how to read chord charts, followed by four chords you can use to create your own fingerstyle chord progressions for practice.

Here are four chords you can use to create an easy fingerstyle chord progression and practice these steps.

Image alt text: Chord diagram for C major. Shows finger placement on the fretboard for C major chord.

Image alt text: Chord diagram for G major. Shows finger placement on the fretboard for G major chord.

Image alt text: Chord diagram for Am (A minor). Shows finger placement on the fretboard for Am chord.

3 Easy Fingerpicking Patterns to Get You Started

If you already possess a basic sense of rhythm and know a few guitar chords, learning how to play guitar without a pick is primarily about becoming comfortable with fundamental fingerpicking patterns. These patterns act as building blocks for countless fingerstyle songs and arrangements.

When you first start learning these fingerstyle guitar patterns, they might feel awkward and your timing might be inconsistent. It’s completely normal! The biggest hurdle at the beginning is often learning to stay relaxed and avoid tension in your picking hand. Patience and consistent practice are key.

Once you ingrain these exercises for fingerstyle guitar into your muscle memory, you’ll find that the patterns become automatic. You’ll be able to focus more on musicality and expression, rather than consciously thinking about each finger movement.

Fingerstyle Picking Pattern #1 – T123: The Foundation Pattern

We’ll start by adapting a simple 4/4 strumming rhythm into a T123 fingerpicking pattern. This pattern is versatile and forms the basis for many fingerstyle songs.

Thumb (T): Your thumb will be responsible for plucking the bass notes, typically on the lower strings (6th, 5th, or 4th).
Index (1), Middle (2), and Ring (3) Fingers: Your index, middle, and ring fingers will pluck the higher string sets, usually the 3rd, 2nd, and 1st strings respectively.

Below are the fingerstyle guitar TABs (tablature) for the T123 pattern. Tablature is a simplified way to read music for guitar, showing you which strings and frets to play.

Image alt text: Guitar Tablature for T123 fingerpicking pattern. Shows thumb plucking bass string, index finger plucking G string, middle finger plucking B string, and ring finger plucking high E string.

If you’re new to reading TABs, here’s a quick guide to the basics:

Reading Direction: Guitar TAB is read from left to right, just like standard musical notation.
String Representation: The six horizontal lines represent the six strings of your guitar. The top line is the thinnest string (high E), and the bottom line is the thickest string (low E).
Fret Numbers: Numbers placed on the lines indicate which fret to play on that specific string. “0” means to play the open string (no fret pressed down).

For a more in-depth explanation, check out this comprehensive guide on how to read fingerstyle guitar tabs.

Fingerstyle Picking Pattern #2 – T12321: Adding a Syncopated Feel

Here’s another essential pattern, T12321, which works beautifully with songs in 6/8 or 3/4 time signatures, adding a waltz-like or flowing rhythmic feel. This pattern introduces a slight syncopation and a more melodic character.

Image alt text: Guitar Tablature for T12321 fingerpicking pattern. Shows thumb, index, middle, ring, middle, index finger picking sequence.

Fingerstyle Picking Pattern #3 – Multiple Notes Together: Introducing Pinches

If the previous patterns feel comfortable, challenge yourself with this pattern, which incorporates a “pinching” motion. Pinching involves plucking two strings simultaneously, adding a richer, fuller sound and rhythmic complexity.

Image alt text: Guitar Tablature for fingerpicking pattern with pinched notes. Shows thumb and index finger pinching bass and G string together in the pattern.

My Top 3 Tips for Practicing a New Picking Pattern: Making it Stick

To ensure your fingerstyle guitar training is effective and lasting, here are my top three practice tips:

Start Super Slow: Begin practicing the pattern at a very slow tempo, much slower than you think you need to. Focus on accuracy and evenness of rhythm rather than speed. Use a metronome to maintain a consistent tempo. Slow practice allows your muscles to learn the movements correctly without tension.
Isolate the Thumb: Before coordinating all fingers, focus on what your thumb is doing separately. Practice just the thumb part of the pattern, ensuring it’s consistent and rhythmically solid. Once your thumb is comfortable, gradually add in the other fingers. The thumb often provides the rhythmic foundation, so mastering it first is crucial.
Single Chord Focus: Initially, practice the new pattern using just a single chord shape. This eliminates the complexity of chord changes and allows you to concentrate solely on the picking pattern itself. Choose a chord you know well and can play comfortably. Once you master the pattern with one chord, then introduce chord progressions.

If you find yourself struggling or stumbling through a pattern, you are almost certainly practicing too fast. Slow down! It’s more effective to practice slowly and correctly than quickly and sloppily.

When tackling a particularly tricky pattern, my approach is to first understand what the thumb is doing. The thumb often plays the bass line and provides the rhythmic drive. Once I’m comfortable with the thumb part, I then focus on what’s going on with the rest of the fingers, coordinating them with the thumb.

Once I grasp the fundamentals of the pattern, I begin practicing with a metronome. A metronome is an invaluable tool for developing precise timing. (We offer a free online metronome you can use right now).

I only increase the metronome speed when I can play a picking pattern flawlessly (without any mistakes or tension) five times consecutively. Consistent, error-free repetitions at a slow tempo build solid muscle memory.

After you’ve mastered the foundational T123 pattern, feel free to experiment with the picking order of the higher strings. Try variations like T321 and T213 patterns to expand your rhythmic vocabulary and explore different melodic textures.

Using Open Chords to Play Fingerstyle Guitar: Resonance and Beauty

Acoustic guitars truly shine when you allow their strings and body to resonate freely. Fingerstyle playing is perfectly suited to this, as it encourages open strings and sustained notes. To maximize the acoustic potential of your guitar in fingerstyle:

Embrace Open String Chord Shapes: Favor chord shapes that incorporate open strings. Open strings ring out longer and contribute to a richer, more resonant sound. Chords like C major, G major, D major, Em, Am, and F major (in its various voicings) are excellent starting points.
Let Notes Ring Out: Allow notes to ring out for as long as they naturally sustain, or as long as they sound good in context with the other notes you are playing. This sustain creates a lush, overlapping texture characteristic of fingerstyle guitar. Avoid abruptly cutting off notes unless it’s a deliberate musical choice.

Now that you’ve learned some foundational fingerstyle exercises for beginners, experiment with applying them to these colorful open chord shapes. Mix and match chords and patterns to create your own simple fingerstyle pieces.

Fingerstyle Guitar Chords to Get You Started in the Key of C:

Here are some common and beautiful open chords in the key of C major that are perfect for fingerstyle guitar. The key of C major is a great starting point because it utilizes many fundamental open chords.

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Image alt text: Chord diagrams for fingerstyle guitar in C major. Shows C major, G major, F major, and Am chord diagrams.

If you want to play these chord shapes in a different key, a capo is your best friend. A capo is a clamp that you place across the guitar fretboard to raise the pitch of all strings. It’s an indispensable tool for fingerstyle guitarists, providing the easiest way to transpose the beautiful sounds of open chords to different keys. For example, placing a capo at the 2nd fret and playing these C major key chord shapes will effectively transpose the music to the key of D major, while still retaining the open string resonance.

What’s Next on Your Fingerstyle Journey? Expanding Your Skills

From here, your fingerstyle guitar path can branch out in several exciting directions, depending on your musical interests:

Explore Folky Thumbpicking Patterns: Delve into the world of folky thumbpicking patterns. This style, popularized by artists like Merle Travis and Chet Atkins, incorporates lively, alternating bass lines played by the thumb, creating a rhythmic and melodic foundation for your playing. Thumbpicking adds a distinctive groove and character to fingerstyle arrangements.
Add Melodies to Picking Patterns: Learn how to integrate melodies into your fingerpicking patterns. This involves weaving single-note melodies on the higher strings while maintaining the rhythmic and harmonic foundation with your thumb and other fingers. Melodic fingerstyle playing is essential for creating solo guitar arrangements and playing instrumental pieces.
Discover More Open String Chords: Expand your chord vocabulary beyond the key of C major and learn more chords that utilize open strings in other keys. Explore keys like G major, D major, A major, and E major, and discover the unique open chord voicings available in each key. A wider chord vocabulary will open up new musical possibilities and allow you to play in various styles and keys.

While learning fingerstyle guitar conceptually seems straightforward, the patterns can become quite intricate and challenging very quickly. The key to long-term success is to build a solid foundation in the fundamental mechanics of fingerpicking and master the basic techniques before progressing to more elaborate song arrangements.

If you’re eager to dive deeper and learn fingerstyle guitar step-by-step, I highly recommend checking out a free 14-day trial to our Fingerstyle Learning Pathway at Pickup Music. This comprehensive 3-month program is designed to guide you through every stage of learning, from the absolute basics to playing complete solo guitar arrangements. You’ll receive clear, structured lessons, and you’ll always know exactly what to focus on at each step of your learning journey.

Playing Fingerstyle on Acoustic vs. Electric Guitar: Versatility Across Instruments

The beauty of fingerstyle guitar is that it’s not limited to a specific type of guitar. Whether you have an acoustic, electric, or classical guitar at home, any guitar will work perfectly for beginning fingerstyle guitar. The choice of guitar ultimately comes down to your personal preference and the sound you want to achieve.

Choosing the “right” guitar is subjective and depends on your musical goals. Experiment with both acoustic and electric guitars to discover which one resonates more with you and inspires your playing.

As you progress in fingerstyle and begin arranging more complex guitar pieces, you might develop a preference for a particular type of guitar that best suits your musical vision. Some fingerstyle players prefer the warmth and resonance of acoustic guitars, while others favor the versatility and tonal options of electric guitars.

Personally, I started my fingerstyle journey on a classical guitar with nylon strings. The wider string spacing and softer nylon strings made it gentler on my fingertips when starting out. However, these days, I’m equally happy playing fingerstyle on my acoustic Taylor guitar as I am on my Squier Jazzmaster electric guitar. Each offers a unique sonic palette and playing experience.

To give you an idea of the versatility, here are three examples of the same song played in different genres and on different guitars, showcasing the adaptability of fingerstyle.

[Links to examples of same song played fingerstyle in different genres/on different guitars]

Choose Your Genre: Fingerstyle Across Musical Styles

Fingerstyle guitar is a versatile technique that finds its place in numerous music genres. Here are three prominent genres that particularly lend themselves to fingerstyle playing:

Jazz: Chord Melody and Solo Guitar Arrangements

Jazz guitarists frequently employ fingerstyle techniques when arranging jazz standards and popular songs for solo guitar performance. This style of playing is often referred to as “chord melody.” Chord melody playing involves skillfully intertwining the melody of a tune with its underlying chords, creating a rich and harmonically complete solo guitar arrangement.

You can find a wealth of chord melody jazz guitar tabs specifically arranged for fingerstyle on platforms like YouTube. YouTube is a valuable resource for learning and teaching jazz standards in fingerstyle format. Many talented jazz guitarists share their arrangements and tutorials online.

Here’s a great example: an arrangement by Yuto Kanazawa of Arthur Schwartz’ Alone Together. Yuto Kanazawa is a renowned jazz guitarist known for his intricate fingerstyle arrangements.

[Link to Yuto Kanazawa’s “Alone Together” fingerstyle arrangement]

If you’re interested in exploring more jazz guitar content and learning resources, check out our blog article with jazz guitar lessons.

Blues: Rooted in Tradition

Blues music has a long history that predates the electric guitar and the widespread use of picks. Consequently, fingerstyle guitar blues is a natural and deeply rooted combination. Many early blues guitarists, like Robert Johnson and Blind Blake, were masters of fingerstyle blues.

Here’s a video featuring the legendary Doc Watson offering a short fingerstyle blues guitar lesson before performing his rendition of Deep River Blues. Doc Watson, though he sometimes used a thumb pick, was primarily a fingerstyle player and a true icon of acoustic blues and folk guitar.

[Link to Doc Watson’s “Deep River Blues” lesson and performance]

Even though Doc Watson uses a thumb pick in this particular example, it’s still incredibly valuable to watch and learn from his fingerstyle blues approach. Thumb picks are often considered an extension of fingerstyle technique and are used by many fingerstyle players.

Classical: Elegance and Intricacy

Classical guitars (also known as Spanish guitars) are the quintessential instrument for learning flamenco music and classical guitar repertoire. The nylon strings and wider fretboard of classical guitars lend themselves beautifully to fingerstyle techniques.

Perhaps you aspire to perform the most famous classical fingerstyle guitar piece of all time: The Canon in D by the German Baroque composer Johann Pachelbel. Pachelbel’s Canon in D is a timeless and universally recognized piece that is often arranged and performed on classical guitar in fingerstyle.

[Link to a fingerstyle guitar arrangement of Pachelbel’s Canon in D]

Basic Fingerstyle Guitar Songs: Starting Your Repertoire

The possibilities for fingerstyle songs are vast and diverse. To make your song selection easier, here are a few suggestions to get you started.

Easy Fingerstyle Guitar Songs for Beginners: Simplicity and Familiarity

You can transform virtually any song into a basic fingerstyle arrangement, and a great approach is to start with songs you already know and love. Familiarity with the melody and chord progression makes the learning process smoother.

Here’s a simple recipe for creating beginner fingerstyle guitar songs:

Choose a Familiar Song: Select a song you already know well, ideally one with a relatively simple chord progression.
Use the Chord Progression: Take the chord progression of your chosen song.
Fingerpick Instead of Strumming: Instead of strumming each chord as you normally would, fingerpick through the chord progression.
Simple Picking Pattern: Use a basic fingerpicking pattern, such as the T123 pattern we discussed earlier.

Voilà! You’ve just created a fingerstyle version of your chosen song, and you have a recipe for creating countless beginner fingerstyle guitar songs.

Once you feel comfortable with one or two basic picking patterns, it’s a good time to seek out songs that were originally written or arranged specifically for fingerstyle guitar.

The most effective way to learn fingerstyle guitar is to find a tune that you genuinely enjoy and let that song motivate you to practice and develop the necessary techniques to play it. Passion and enjoyment are powerful drivers in the learning process.

You can search the internet using keywords like ‘beginner fingerstyle guitar TABs’ or ‘easy fingerpicking songs’. You’ll likely discover a wealth of materials on various websites offering tabs and tutorials.

If you’re finding it difficult to choose a song to start with, here are a few easy fingerstyle guitar song suggestions that are well-suited for someone who has just mastered one or two simple fingerpicking patterns:

[List of beginner fingerstyle guitar song suggestions with links to tabs/tutorials]

Fingerstyle Guitar Songs for Intermediates: Expanding Your Skills

At the intermediate level, you’re ready to incorporate more advanced techniques and musical elements into your fingerstyle playing, such as bass lines, melodic lines, and more complex arrangements.

At this stage, the lines between intermediate fingerstyle guitar and advanced arrangements can become blurred. Don’t be discouraged if you need to try learning several songs before finding one that perfectly matches your current skill level. Learning often involves some trial and error.

Below are a few suggestions for fingerstyle songs for guitar that might be a good fit for intermediate players:

[List of intermediate fingerstyle guitar song suggestions with links to tabs/tutorials]

Happy Birthday Songs: A Festive Fingerstyle Challenge

Most people are already very familiar with “Happy Birthday” and similar celebratory songs. This familiarity makes them excellent starting points for learning fingerstyle guitar arrangements. What better way to send birthday greetings than with a personalized guitar performance?

Here’s an example of Happy Birthday (Cumpleaños Feliz) performed on classical guitar by Paola Hermosín. Paola Hermosín is a classical guitarist known for her beautiful fingerstyle arrangements.

[Link to Paola Hermosín’s fingerstyle “Happy Birthday”]

In Mexican tradition, Las Mañanitas is a traditional birthday song sung in the morning to the birthday person. It’s another great option for a fingerstyle arrangement.

[Link to fingerstyle arrangement of “Las Mañanitas”]

Intermediate guitar players can also try their hand at this arrangement of the German birthday tune Viel Glück und viel Segen.

[Link to fingerstyle arrangement of “Viel Glück und viel Segen”]

Christmas Songs: Holiday Fingerstyle

Even Christmas carols can be transformed into beautiful fingerstyle pieces. Funk guitar expert Jude Smith presents a fun and funky version of The First Noel in this video. This is also a great example of playing fingerstyle on electric guitar, demonstrating its versatility across genres.

[Link to Jude Smith’s fingerstyle “The First Noel”]

FAQs: Common Questions About Fingerstyle Guitar

How Hard Is It to Learn Fingerstyle Guitar? Perceived Difficulty

The most complex fingerstyle guitar arrangements, which combine bass lines, chords, and melody simultaneously, are undeniably challenging to master. However, thankfully, you don’t have to start there!

When learning any new skill, including fingerstyle guitar, high-quality tutorials and structured learning resources are invaluable. A program like Pickup Music’s Fingerstyle Learning Pathway is specifically designed with pieces that gradually increase in difficulty. This progressive approach makes the learning process much more manageable and effective.

You are likely to make significantly better progress by following a well-designed curriculum compared to attempting to learn from random songs or fragmented lessons. A structured pathway ensures you build skills in a logical sequence and avoid getting overwhelmed.

How Long Does It Take to Get Good at Fingerstyle Guitar? Time Investment

The time it takes to become proficient in fingerstyle guitar varies greatly from person to person. Learning speed depends on several factors, including individual learning pace, prior musical experience, and the amount of dedicated practice time. Therefore, there’s no single answer that applies to everyone.

However, in general, you should expect to invest at least a few months of consistent practice to become comfortable with a completely new technique and playing style like fingerstyle. This includes regular practice of fingerstyle guitar exercises, patterns, and songs.

If your definition of “getting good” at fingerstyle is being able to create and perform your own fingerstyle song arrangements, then the learning curve is steeper. You’ll also need to develop a deeper understanding of music theory, including the relationship between melody and harmony, and learn how to find appropriate chord voicings to play both melody and harmony simultaneously on the guitar. Song arrangement is an advanced skill that requires time, practice, and musical knowledge.

Who Is Considered the Best Fingerstyle Guitarist? Iconic Players

Defining the “best” fingerstyle guitarist is subjective and depends on personal taste. However, if you want to delve deeper into the rich tradition of fingerstyle guitar, I highly recommend exploring the music of these influential players:

Merle Travis
Elizabeth Cotton
Chet Atkins
Tommy Emmanuel
Kaki King

Merle Travis: The Thumbpicking Pioneer

Merle Travis developed a distinctive playing style that became so widely recognized and influential that it’s now commonly referred to as “Travis picking.” Travis picking primarily involves the thumb and index finger working in coordination.

Born in Kentucky, Merle Travis’s musical roots were firmly planted in country music. However, his innovative guitar playing style has transcended genre boundaries and influenced countless musicians across various styles.

Track To Check Out: Sixteen Tons

Elizabeth Cotton: A Left-Handed Legend

Elizabeth “Libba” Cotton, a remarkable musician from North Carolina, had a long and impactful career spanning many decades. She remained active well into her later years, and in 1985, at the age of 90, she received a Grammy Award in the category then known as “Best Ethnic or Traditional Folk Recording,” a testament to her enduring legacy.

A unique aspect of Elizabeth Cotton’s playing was that she was left-handed but played a right-handed guitar upside down and backwards, without restringing it. This unconventional approach contributed to her distinctive sound and style.

Track To Check Out: Freight Train

Chet Atkins: Mr. Guitar of Nashville

Chet Atkins, often dubbed “Mr. Guitar,” was a Nashville-based musician who left an indelible mark on the world of guitar playing. His career spanned an impressive six decades, during which he worked with music icons like Elvis Presley and The Everly Brothers. Even George Harrison of The Beatles cited Chet Atkins as a major influence.

George Harrison’s admiration for Chet Atkins is evident in his liner notes for Atkins’ cover album Chet Atkins Picks on The Beatles: “For me, the great thing about Mr. Atkins is not the fact that he is capable of playing almost every type of music but the conviction in the way he does it.”

Track To Check Out: Wind and Warm

Tommy Emmanuel: Carrying the Torch

Tommy Emmanuel is a contemporary guitar virtuoso who carries the torch of the fingerstyle pioneers mentioned above while adding his own unique and dynamic spin. He is renowned for his incredibly energetic and technically dazzling live performances.

Tommy Emmanuel is not only a phenomenal guitarist but also a prolific composer of original music. He is equally celebrated for his breathtaking fingerstyle arrangements of popular songs from various genres.

Track To Check Out: Somewhere over the Rainbow

Kaki King: A Genre Unto Herself

Rolling Stone Magazine aptly described Kaki King as “a genre unto herself.” This Brooklyn-based musician is celebrated for her innovative and unconventional approach to the guitar, pushing the boundaries of fingerstyle technique.

Kaki King is known for incorporating visual elements into her live performances, creating a multi-sensory and captivating experience for her audience. Her music often blends intricate fingerstyle guitar work with percussive techniques and electronic effects.

Track To Check Out: Skimming the Fractured Surface to a Place of Endless Light

Is Fingerstyle Guitar Suitable for Beginners? Accessibility for New Players

The answer is both yes and no, depending on your perspective and learning approach.

Some individuals find playing with a pick initially awkward or unnatural. For these beginners, playing without a pick, using their fingers directly on the strings, can feel more intuitive and direct. Fingerstyle provides a tactile connection to the instrument.

When you play fingerstyle, you are in direct physical contact with the strings, eliminating the need to manage a separate object like a pick. This direct connection can enhance your feel for the strings and dynamics.

However, when it comes to mastering complex picking patterns and playing combinations of chords, bass notes, and melodies simultaneously, fingerstyle guitar can indeed become quite intricate and demanding rather quickly. Advanced fingerstyle techniques require coordination, dexterity, and practice.

If you are a beginner and would like some song suggestions to get started with fingerstyle, scroll back up to our section on beginner fingerstyle guitar songs for some easy and enjoyable options.

Why Isn’t the Pinky Finger Typically Used in Fingerstyle Guitar? Finger Roles

In standard fingerstyle guitar technique, the pinky finger is not typically used to pluck strings. Instead, many players utilize their pinky primarily as an anchor point or rest.

Using the pinky as an anchor helps maintain hand position and stability. It provides a reference point, making it easier to target the correct strings with the other fingers. By keeping the hand consistently positioned, accuracy and control are enhanced.

The main reason the pinky is not commonly used for plucking is that fingerstyle technique often divides the six guitar strings into two primary areas of responsibility:

Thumb: The thumb is generally responsible for covering the lowest three strings (6th, 5th, and 4th – E, A, and D).
Index, Middle, and Ring Fingers: The index, middle, and ring fingers are typically assigned to the highest three strings (3rd, 2nd, and 1st – G, B, and high E).

This division of labor efficiently covers all six strings using four fingers (thumb, index, middle, ring). While it’s certainly possible to incorporate the pinky into fingerstyle picking, it’s less common in traditional techniques and often not necessary for many patterns.

Does Fingerstyle Guitar Sound Better Than Pick Playing? Subjective Sound

Whether fingerstyle guitar “sounds better” than playing with a pick is entirely a matter of personal preference and subjective taste. There is no objectively “better” sound.

If you’ve been captivated by the sound of fingerstyle playing and have fallen in love with its nuances and textures, then, for you, yes, fingerstyle likely does sound “better.” Musical preference is personal and valid.

Both fingerstyle and pick playing offer unique sonic qualities and are suitable for different musical styles and expressions. Fingerstyle often produces a warmer, more intimate, and dynamically nuanced sound, while pick playing can offer more attack, volume, and rhythmic drive.

How Should You Shape Your Fingernails for Fingerstyle Guitar? Nail Shaping

Many fingerstyle guitarists who use their fingernails for picking often shape their nails to resemble a guitar pick in function. Fingernail shape and length are personal preferences and can significantly impact tone and playing style.

If you’re familiar with guitar picks, you know that they come in a wide variety of shapes, thicknesses, and materials, each influencing the sound and playing feel. Similarly, fingernail shaping for fingerstyle is a matter of individual choice and experimentation.

Some fingerstyle players prefer longer nails with a beveled or ramped shape to create a brighter, more articulate tone. Others prefer shorter, more rounded nails for a warmer, mellower sound. Experiment with different nail shapes and lengths to find what works best for your playing style and desired tone.

What Are the Best Guitar Strings for Fingerstyle Guitar? String Choice

The best guitar strings for fingerstyle guitar are often simply the strings that are already on your guitar! Unless your strings are old, rusty, or damaged, there’s usually no immediate need to change strings specifically for learning fingerstyle.

If you do need new strings, choose strings that are appropriate for the type of guitar you have – acoustic, classical, or electric. Acoustic guitars typically use steel strings, classical guitars use nylon strings, and electric guitars also use steel strings (but often of a lighter gauge than acoustic strings).

Preferably, when restringing, use the same string gauge (thickness) as before. Changing string gauge can affect your guitar’s setup (neck relief, action, intonation), and you may need to adjust your guitar’s setup if you switch to a significantly different gauge.

Where Can You Find Fingerstyle Guitar TAB PDFs? Tab Resources

A great online resource for fingerstyle guitar tablature (TAB) PDFs is Ultimate Guitar. Ultimate Guitar offers a premium membership that grants you the ability to download any of their extensive collection of guitar TABs as PDF files for offline use.

[Link to Ultimate Guitar website]

You can also find numerous fingerstyle guitar TAB PDFs on YouTube. Many talented fingerstyle guitarists and instructors on YouTube provide links to PDF tabs of their arrangements, often for free or for a small fee, in their video descriptions or on their websites. YouTube is a valuable source for both free and paid fingerstyle TAB resources.

Learning Fingerstyle Guitar Online and Locally (Worldwide): Options and Resources

Whether you reside in the USA, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, or anywhere else around the globe, searching on Google for ‘fingerstyle guitar lessons near me’ is an excellent way to discover a list of local guitar teachers in your area who offer in-person instruction.

The Pros of Face-to-Face Guitar Lessons:

Personalized Instruction: Every lesson is tailored to your specific skill level, learning pace, and musical goals. The teacher can assess your individual needs and adapt their teaching accordingly.
Immediate Feedback: You receive instant feedback on your technique, posture, and musicality directly from the teacher. Real-time correction and guidance are invaluable for developing good habits.
Local Music Scene Connection: Your local guitar teacher is often connected to the local music scene, providing opportunities for networking, jam sessions, and local music events.
Screen-Free Learning: If you spend a significant portion of your day looking at screens, in-person lessons offer a welcome screen-free learning environment, providing a break from digital devices.
Real-Time Interaction: Your teacher can play along with you, jam with you, and provide live demonstrations in real time, enhancing the interactive learning experience.

The Cons of Face-to-Face Lessons:

Higher Cost: In-person guitar lessons are typically more expensive than online courses or resources due to the teacher’s time and overhead costs.
Time and Travel: Attending in-person lessons requires dedicated travel time and transportation expenses to get to and from the lesson location.
Cancellation Challenges: It can sometimes be more challenging to cancel or reschedule in-person lessons, especially with teachers you have developed a rapport with, even if the lessons are no longer meeting your needs.
Limited Teacher Pool: Advanced students with highly specialized goals may find it challenging to locate a suitable teacher with expertise in their specific area of interest within their local area.

In-person tutorials can be highly beneficial, particularly if you value personalized feedback and direct interaction. However, they require a greater commitment of time and financial resources.

Online courses and lessons, on the other hand, offer greater flexibility, lower cost, and often provide 24/7 support through online communities of fellow learners who share your passion for fingerstyle guitar.

Ultimately, the best choice depends on your individual learning style, time availability, budget, and preferences. If you opt for online learning, we are here to support you at Pickup Music.

We have active members online 24/7 from cities all over the world, including NYC, LA, Vancouver, Toronto, London, Paris, Rome, Sydney, Auckland, and countless others. You’ll find a vibrant community of fellow guitar enthusiasts to connect with, learn from, and share your fingerstyle journey with.

Fingerstyle Guitar Course Online Recommendations:

Pickup Music (Free trial + paid upgrade option) – Pickup Music is widely recognized as a leading online platform for guitar education.

Our Fingerstyle Learning Pathway course is structured to be exceptionally clear and straightforward:

You’ll receive daily lessons expertly guided by experienced instructors, you’ll have the opportunity to submit videos of your playing and receive personalized 1:1 feedback from instructors, and you’ll become part of an active and supportive online community forum of guitar lovers. You’ll also have access to live masterclasses and interactive events.

[Link to Pickup Music Fingerstyle Learning Pathway Free Trial]

YouTube Videos (Free) – While YouTube offers a vast library of free guitar lessons, it’s important to be aware that there is always a “cost” associated with “free” resources.

With free guitar lessons on YouTube, the cost is often the lack of personalized guidance and feedback. You won’t have someone directly pointing out the specific mistakes that may be hindering your progress.

Without structured guidance, you may also find yourself spending excessive time navigating through a vast sea of videos, potentially going down rabbit holes, and ultimately watching more guitar videos than actually playing your instrument. YouTube can be a valuable supplement, but it’s often not a substitute for a structured learning program with feedback.

What Are the Best Fingerstyle Guitar Methods and Books? Book Recommendations

Below is a curated selection of highly regarded books that specifically focus on teaching how to learn fingerstyle guitar. These books are just a small sampling of the many excellent resources available.

All of the publications listed below include easy-to-follow fingerstyle guitar tabs and often come with accompanying audio or video materials to aid your learning.

Hal Leonard Fingerpicking Guitar Method

Hal Leonard is a well-known music publishing company with a wide range of guitar method books. Their ‘Hal Leonard Fingerpicking Guitar Method’ is a popular choice that covers essential fingerpicking techniques using familiar and popular songs as examples and exercises.

Ken Perlman’s Fingerpicking Guitar

Ken Perlman is primarily known as a renowned banjo player, but he is also the author of “Fingerpicking Guitar.” This book is notable for its broad coverage of diverse fingerstyle genres, including folk, blues, Celtic fiddle tunes, and ragtime. It’s an excellent resource for players interested in exploring a variety of fingerstyle styles.

Tommy Emmanuel’s Fingerstyle Guitar Milestones

Tommy Emmanuel, the virtuoso fingerstyle guitarist, recently released a book titled ‘Tommy Emmanuel’s Fingerstyle Guitar Milestones’ published by Fundamental Changes in 2021. This book, authored by Tommy Emmanuel himself, covers the foundational techniques of playing fingerstyle guitar from his unique perspective and expertise.

Beyond Basics Fingerstyle Guitar (Book) by Mark Hanson

Mark Hanson’s ‘Beyond Basics Fingerstyle Guitar’ is a highly regarded method book that features a wealth of beginning fingerstyle guitar exercises and original compositions. It systematically teaches the fundamentals of playing fingerstyle using the thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers, providing a solid foundation in technique.

Learn & Master Fingerstyle Guitar by Steve Krenz

Steve Krenz, a Nashville-based guitarist and instructor, authored ‘Learn & Master Fingerstyle Guitar’. This comprehensive book covers a wide spectrum of fingerstyle guitar styles, progressing from beginner-level lessons to more advanced techniques and concepts. It’s a thorough resource for players of all levels.

Wrapping Up: Embrace the Beauty of Fingerstyle Guitar

Playing fingerstyle guitar is a truly rewarding and expressive way to showcase the inherent beauty and versatility of the guitar.

Numerous musical genres embrace fingerstyle techniques, spanning from pop and rock to jazz, classical, and blues. Regardless of your preferred musical style, you’ll find that your fingerstyle skills can be applied to a vast range of songs and musical contexts.

Fingerstyle guitar is exceptionally well-suited for creating solo guitar arrangements, allowing you to play melody, harmony, and bass lines simultaneously on a single instrument. However, mastering the art of juggling bass lines, chords, and melody in complex arrangements is a significant step up from simply using basic picking patterns. It requires dedicated practice and musical understanding.

The key to progressing to intermediate and advanced levels of fingerstyle playing lies in finding learning resources and lessons that offer a gradual and deliberate increase in difficulty. A structured and progressive approach ensures you build skills systematically and avoid getting overwhelmed.

Yes, I’d Love A Free 14-Day Trial Of Pickup Music To Learn Fingerstyle Guitar From Experts >

Author: Julia Mahncke

Julia Mahncke is a journalist and musician based in Pittsburgh, PA. Holding a degree in musicology from the University of Bonn and a guitar performance degree from the University of Oregon, Julia is a skilled guitarist with a knack for communicating musical concepts in a straightfoward manner.

She has written, recorded, and performed music as a solo artist, as part of a duo, and as the lead guitarist for the band Meeping. With hundreds of shows under her belt, Julia plays bass in various projects, enjoys participating in jam sessions in Pittsburgh, and remains active as a singer-songwriter.

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