JPF Home Page Forums Musician Gear and Techniques Guitars and Guitarist Forum Finger Style Playing

Hi, I'm usually a strum guitarist,but I'm now beginning to try some finger style. I was wondering whether anyone has advice on a simple string pattern which I might try as a beginning style. Say in 4/4 time. How would I strike the strings say for a C chord? Thanks Frank V.

Frank, I am going to look in my files and see if I have something I can send you. I assume you want different picking patterns.

JeanB

Thanks JeanB I'll check back for your input.

If you can find a tablature transcription of "Dust In The Wind" thats an excellent primer.The intro uses varitions of a C major and A minor chord with the same picking pattern.You'll find different interpretations because it's at least 2 gtrs.

Butch

Here is a link to a pretty cool site that gives sound examples as well as tablature.

http://www.guitarnotes.com/links/instruction/wholenote_interactive_lessons1.shtml

Another good one:

http://www.people.fas.harvard.edu/~desmith/guitar/picking/lesson2.htm


http://guitar.about.com/

for more info use the google.com search engine and type in fingerpicking or fingerpicking patterns.

Some songs let you use the same pattern all the way through but often you have to vary them by playing only part of the pattern before switching to another chord.

Think of your thumb as a little bass player that moves around on the 654 (EAD) strings. You will want to find the bass note that sounds best with the chord.
If you are playing a D chord for instance you may want to use the 4th string, The A chord, perhaps the 5th string. etc.

Depending on the key you are in, sometimes you can play a lot of the actual melody with your thumb.

Don't be afraid to break from the pattern to throw in part of the melody line or add a little bass run.

It's hard to read all the different ways people have of explaining how to pick.
Nothing beats having a live person to show you how.

A video is the next choice. Music stores carrying them. There should be one for about 30 bucks that will show you how.
Some librarys carry instructional videos too.

If none of the above works, go to a venue where fingerpicking is performed and get a front table and keep your eyes peeled.

Once you have seen it in action , it will be easier to understand the written instructions.

JeanB



[This message has been edited by JeanB (edited 10-15-2002).]

Here's a simple pattern you can start with:

On a G chord, pick the sixth (low) string with your thumb, the second string with your middle finger, the fourth string with your thumb, and the third string with your first finger. Each note should be an eighth note in length. Start very slowly.

Once again that is, on the strings...

6 2 4 3

Using the fingers...

T M T I

Repeat this slowly and evenly until it becomes comfortable. You can practice this without the guitar by tapping your fingers T M T I. Once you get good at this post again and I'll move you on from there.

------------------
Mike Dunbar Music

[This message has been edited by Mike Dunbar (edited 10-15-2002).]

Thanks, to all for your interest. Mike I'll try your recommended pattern first chance.

A great book that I have used is called The art of Contemporary Travis picking. It is the best book on this from the beginning.

located here: http://www.accentonmusic.com/

When you advance a bit you can try the Guitar Book by Pierre Bensusan.

Cheers,
tm