Fingerstyle

[BenJammin]

Hey. I just started playing acoustic guitar a couple of days ago and one of the things that I'm struggling a bit with is playing fingerstyle with it. I'd prefer not to use a pick for a multitude of reasons (primarily the fact that I like the tone of fingerstyle guitar, and I play bass fingerstyle), so I'm wondering what the best way to go about training my right hand would be?

I can use my thumb, index, and middle without any problems, but branching out to my ring or pinky finger is troublesome.

Any lessons (I glanced in the lessons but didn't see anything), exercises, or what-have-you, is appreciated.

[jakerc]

this is from trea (Trigger_003), she posted it in my thread about fingerpicking so hopefully it'll help you out.

http://www.tdknights.com/trea/flamenco.php

[Trigger_003]

:)

Besides the picking page, there's an unfinished techniques page that might be worth checking out too - throwing in a few of them can add a lot of flair to your playing.

But these are (at the moment anyway) more just explanations of what these are and how to do them, rather than exercises and so forth.

There are a multitude of songs from various genres around that do or can facilitate finger picking, so I guess before I start making suggestions for exercises in the form of songs/pieces, what kind of music are you into? I mean, I could just throw you a list of flamenco and/or classical, but you might not be into that thing, so...

[zhyla]

I can use my thumb, index, and middle without any problems, but branching out to my ring or pinky finger is troublesome.


Thou shalt not use the pinky. I know there's a few people that do and all but it's really not suited just because of the way it's wired.

The ring finger will come with practice. Just like play regular open chords by hitting the root note with your thumb and then arpeggiate the bottom three strings. REM's "Everybody Hurts" is a great easy song to do this with.

good luck

[BenJammin]

:)

Besides the picking page, there's an unfinished techniques page that might be worth checking out too - throwing in a few of them can add a lot of flair to your playing.

But these are (at the moment anyway) more just explanations of what these are and how to do them, rather than exercises and so forth.

There are a multitude of songs from various genres around that do or can facilitate finger picking, so I guess before I start making suggestions for exercises in the form of songs/pieces, what kind of music are you into? I mean, I could just throw you a list of flamenco and/or classical, but you might not be into that thing, so...

I think that the webpage will come in handy, regardless. A lot of the acoustic stuff I listen to is either more rock based or solo stuff (like Michael Hedges, Kaki King, etc.). I do have a fond spot for flamenco though (saw Juan Martin a few weeks ago), so whatever you want to recommend is much appreciated.

Just keep in mind that I am pretty miserable at it at the moment. ;)

Thou shalt not use the pinky. I know there's a few people that do and all but it's really not suited just because of the way it's wired.

The ring finger will come with practice. Just like play regular open chords by hitting the root note with your thumb and then arpeggiate the bottom three strings. REM's "Everybody Hurts" is a great easy song to do this with.

good luck

Okay, well, that way I only have to work on one extra finger. :p Good idea. I love "Everybody Hurts" so I'll definitely check that out, thanks.

[Trigger_003]

Thou shalt not use the pinky. I know there's a few people that do and all but it's really not suited just because of the way it's wired.
Actually,

Flamenco players have used their pinkies for generations. Now, with neuvo flamenco, they're starting to fase it out according to one of Aria's mates, but I haven't heard this from anyone else yet; a multitude of professionally performing artists still maintain its use.
Classical players haven't in the past, but now many are starting to include the pinky in their methods.

But hey, it's up to you how many fingers you use.... whatever suits, man.

Gotta go, I'll throw a list of songs your way later.