One of our valued subscribers requested these explanations, and voilá, here's the course! We'll start with the correct picking technique and tips for producing a good sound, because this is important for every guitar technique, whether you're playing with your fingers or use a pick. Our idols are usually recognizable by their sound, so it goes without saying that we also want to play with a good sound - which, in fingerpicking, comes from the fingers - later electronic sound optimization on the amplifier can only do small enhancements. After the basic technique is down, I'll show you some particularly popular picking patterns that you need to practice diligently to achieve the necessary flow. We'll combine these picking techniques with basic guitar chords and nice open-string-voicings for exercises that will take your fingerpicking to a whole new level.
Level
Easy peasy
Lessons
6 Lessons | min
Lesson 1Introduction
Duration: min
Let me introduce you to the topics covered in the course "Picking Basics".
Lesson 2Picking Fundamentals
Duration: min
When playing, the strings are pressed down towards the pickup. This creates the low-frequency attack sound that (as with playing with a pick) adds warmth and depth to the tone. You can practice this technique and perform it on different string settings using a simple "Christmas carol" pattern. The term "string setting" refers to the distribution of the fingers (p, i, m, and a) across the strings. The standard string setting usually involves the thumb (p for the Spanish word pulgar) for the three bass strings E, A, and D, the index finger (i for indice) for the G string, the middle finger (m for medio) for the B string, and the ring finger (a for anular) for the high E string. Another popular string setting is, for example, p for the A string, i for the D string, m for the G string, and a for the B string. Or p for the low E string, i for the G string, m for the B string, and a for the high E string. The choice of string setting is usually determined by the melody note you're picking. See some possible string settings in the pdf.
Lesson 3Folk Picking
Duration: min
Folk picking is also called Travis picking; it was named after Merle Travis, who made this technique his trademark. Play folk picking over all the chords and string settings you know and enjoy the beautiful flow of the notes.
Lesson 4Werner Lämmerhirt
Duration: min
One of the quintessential pieces for folk picking is "Anji" by Davy Graham. The German fingerpicker Werner Lämmerhirt often introduced the piece with a beautiful intro, which I'll show you here as an exercise.
Lesson 5Arpeggio Strumming
Duration: min
This special technique (both ascending and descending) is a great way to add more excitement to your chords.
Lesson 6Ring Finger Workout
Duration: min
If the chords shown here are too difficult, play this exercise without changing chords. You can play a simple chord and hold it, or alternate between two simple chords (e.g., C and Am). This exercise focuses on the ring finger of your right hand, which will be trained even more if you pay close attention to clearly defining the swing rhythm. You can also take it a step further and try dotted eighth and sixteenth notes; this will make the pattern even snappier and increase the training effect. Good luck!
