Using this Web Site and a Fingerpicking Blog

  

    In this Tips/Fingerpicking Tab, you can select the video      on the left and it will play.

   But read on…

    In each of the other tabs (Lesson, Rules of Thumb and    Hootenanny), in order to see the videos you must

   Select “Proceed to Videos” which is below the video icon.

  If you select the video, it will say there is no preview available. Those have been removed.

 

If music is available, select “Download music”, and printable PDF sheet music/TAB can be printed.

Now, Fingerstyle guitar is just plain finger pickin', since we didn’t go to conservatory to learn to play. But make no mistake, this is serious guitar instruction.

Guitars - Fingerstyle players learn familiar songs where (assuming a dominant right hand), the right hand fingers select and play strings and present the song. At the same time, the left hand constructs chord forms from which chord tones, bass lines and melody notes are drawn. Result: a full-fledged, compelling arrangement which will impress even the most casual passer-by.

This video provides an overview of some right hand techniques that will allow you to present the songs on the website, or your own favorite songs. Song- specific techniques are included with their instruction videos and music.

Remember we’re adding these skills to our library of techniques. So make sure you keep flatpicking and strumming too!

    Learning Fingerstyle guitar:
  • Introduces an entirely new and exciting facet to your playing. It’s another tool in your toolbox which you can use to perform or practice your favorite songs. Or perhaps you may want to add these skills to bring new life to songs you’ve known for years.
  • Allows you to play a song’s melody as you play portions of the chords which accompany it, and some bass lines too. It’s very much like what a piano does.
  • It does take some practice. But it’s so cool, because you’re now interested in playing the whole song, melody, chords, bass and all. At Fingerstyle Guitar-Traditions, you can play guitar renditions which include all those parts.
  • If you can text with two thumbs, you may find FingerStyle guitar playing is just right for you. And if you can’t (like me), you can still play quite nicely…I think.
  • Thrill and amaze your family and friends as you play wonderful chord melodies and bass lines all by yourself. Your bass player is now your thumb, and he’s never late for practice. Your fingers are your lead and rhythm guitarists, and they always want to play…any time…and always louder than the others!
  • You will of course, have to work through these interpersonal band issues, one finger at a time.

Now go out there and play some wonderful music and have a great time sharing it with others!