Rough Guide to Fingerpicking

[avm15101990]

Can't do this with a pick :P !!

[AGuitardedPerson]

I can't play the F chord...my index finger is too weak to act as a capo...

darn you, f chord...

[HenfieldWill]

@AGuitardedPerson Then try playing the inside 4 strings - x3321x - as a working F... :-)

[iT2Mi]

@AGuitardedPerson lol you can do it, I've only been playing a few months, you just gotta practice :)

[JoeJonesMusic]

@AGuitardedPerson another thing i noticed helped when i first started playing was to turn my finger so im doing the bar with the bone instead of the bare skin, it helped ALOT

[markjaimee]

@AGuitardedPerson A lot of people have this same problem as did I until someone showed me that if I adjust the position of my thumb by moving it down so that I was essentially pinching the bridge between my thumb and index finger and from that day forth it has been no issue whatsoever. As with any new finger position, it takes a little while to get used to it but there are so many things you can do with a barre chord that I think its a must to learn how. Trying adjusting your thumb, you'll see

[hislaughingheart]

@AGuitardedPerson

if you keep trying eventually your finger will strengthen and youll get it

[jerryhello100]

Yeah, Bobby D

[tessamayisafreak]

Thankyou, my friend! Great work! You make me happy :)

[jhankri]

I've just discovered this video. I'm a bit dyslexic, but this is so well laid out and illustrated that with perseverance it's very helpful. You are a natural teacher. Thank you for this excellent video.

[kcard707]

all my fingers are fine except my ring finger. i have kinda of fat finger tips and when i use my ringfinger to pluck the high e it gives me small, dim sound. is there any advice on solving this? thank you!

[HenfieldWill]

@kcard707 Try checking your hand position. It may be that the angle of you hand against the strings is preventing your 3rd finger from connecting properly with the string. You could also try using fingernails - you don't say whether you use them or not - but that would also help to give a clear sound :-)

[kcard707]

@HenfieldWill no, i dont use my fingernail its not long enough and rightnow im deciding whether i should grow it out or not. i just use the fleshy part of my 3rd finger's tip

[rickyvangooberblat]

you my friend helped me out the box,

I've been stuck in a limbo land of metal and typically I've never even tried finger picking, but now life is demanding me I should. And to be honest, Out of the 5 years I've been playing I'm FINALLY learning properly again :) thanks bro for helping with this video!

[HenfieldWill]

@rickyvangooberblat My pleasure - glad to know it's been of use! :-)

[pooyakh]

Perfect teaching :) Thank you so much

[mbodermusic]

Maybe you can get a little inspiration from my new video. I was sick and couldn't sing, so I sat on the sofa and played a little guitar, only finger picking.

[m91856]

this is really helpful thanks for the vid .

[richardjq]

Will Thanks so much for this lesson. I am just getting into fingerpicking and found your lesson a tremendous help. Richard - all the way from Partridge Green!

[kirdook]

the 3rd chord in "freight train" is written as a Gmaj6, not a Gmaj

[mailmarwa1]

amazin man ! ... i m moving into finger picking .... itz amazing ...

[murfleblurg]

that was totally clear - the animations of the fretboard synched with the actual note played was so much easier to follow than watching a hand. really helpful

[ed0985587]

do i have to grow long eagle talon fingernails to be able to fingerpick?

[HenfieldWill]

@ed0985587 No. Not at all. Some players have no nail length at all. Mine are about 2-3mm beyond the fingertip. :-)

[ed0985587]

@HenfieldWill cool.  some of my friends know fingerpicking and it sounds cool. i've only been playing about a year and know quite a bit with the electric guitar but want to pick this up. also do those picks help you? (the ones that clamp onto your fingers)

[HenfieldWill]

@ed0985587 All personal taste. They give plenty of volume but less sensitivity. Don't use 'em myself. :-)

[kraai1324]

@ed0985587 i play with only my fingers

[alexmirchev]

wow this video is better than the whole series expert village did on fingerpicking.. thank you :)))))))

[kkenlew]

thanks so much for making this video. i just got into mississippi john hurt type music and was wondering how to get my thumb and fingers independent and this really helped me alot

[bha100710]

hats off to you ... you play it amazingly well.. i have been playing guitar for 3 years and I think you have raised my benchmarks.. will return over again to watch all your videos..Thanks a lot

[HenfieldWill]

@bha100710 Glad you found it useful. :-)

[nebulazone]

cool !!!!!!!!

[dogsplus2]

This is exactly what I was looking for - making the transistion from Banjo to Guitar.

Thanks !!

[VicJLo]

So no exersice for the little finger?

[Gang1955]

@VicJLo

no child left behind

:)

[TheWalzo]

Very well put together. A great progression of steps.

[on4gettable]

Amazing teacher. Thanks

[jfcg2002]

Thanks, i've been searching for an instructional video like this for ages. Very clear and informative, thanks again, best of luck, Slan.

[MarinusHoegh]

hey HenFieldWill.

how do you make the intro?

[HenfieldWill]

Sorry - not quite with you - what do you mean exactly? :-)

[TidySammy]

Great video, you play like my father, lovely playing :)

[peterpoi]

Thanks, excellent, clear and very helpful

[philipglaser]

Another great video, Will. Many thanks.

Philip

[mikecharron1]

Excellent! This has been so much help. Very well put together. This video is great for practice runs on various pickings.

[strollby]

excellent

[gusmad71]

excellent video to learn fingericking! thanks a lot

[richc101]

been trying to work it out for ages and your diagrams etc make it so clear, thanks for taking the time to do this and share the knowledge

[jsajohnson]

|My friend, Thank you . I noticed that guitar players from aboard are so humble with sharing what started here with black musicians from the south, but yet you guys never try to claim it as your own or have the arrogant attitude of my fellow Americans who can play a little, but thinks it all starts and ends with them, because they have learned a song or two, and have no idea of the artists that they are mimicking.

[HenfieldWill]

Some of my heroes: John Hurt, Gary Davis, Bill Broonzy, Scott Joplin, Snooks Eaglin, Jelly Roll Morton. Know what? They're all black and (mainly) from the south. But the important thing is that we modern musicians acknowledge where the music came from - regardless of place or skin colour or anything else. We should never forget that the roots of blues, jazz and ragtime are the product of these people. (End of sermon!) :-)

[TheFolksinger]

Very good, very clear. Thanks for posting.

[rollant]

big thanks from a french beginner

do you have any more videos on youtube?

[HenfieldWill]

Lots! Check out my main channel page... :-)

[rollant]

merci Monsieur

[BeeMichael]

very interesting tutorial - my only critique is that I wish after each pick diagram you would play the demo a bit slower so we could play along with the new material - it' about us beginners learning new stuff and not you're showing off your technique - but over all helpful, thanx

[HenfieldWill]

I considered that, and actually included such footage originally - but it would have exceeded the 10 minute maximum allowed by YouTube - so it had to go! :-)

[GeorgesBarras]

This video has made me realise how shit my third finger is.

[bayoutech555]

Thanks will, very nice lesson and the best clawhammer pick I have seen, thanks very much

[HenfieldWill]

Some players do anchor their picking hand with their little finger - I never do myself as I think it decreases flexibility and may cause tendonitis. :-)

[realsquirrellover69]

when you finger pick is it essential to rest your little finger on the base??

[hendragunawanng]

It depend on what you pick. If you do a lot of travis picking with alternating bass. resting your little finger definitely help when you need to pick a high speed coz it gives you more control

[Teppeifav]

this is so awesome!! thanks a lot!

[Richierock182]

I've always wanted to play like this, this i'll have to learn, your videos are very useful compared to others. thanks Will, subscribed!

[HenfieldWill]

Yes - perfectly normal. The E string played at the 3rd fret is a G note. The major triad of the C major chord consists of the notes C-E-G. It's just low down instead of high up. :-)

[dicanio150]

playing c chord with low e fretted at 3rd position right? threw me off for a second.

[grognita]

very useful video thanks :)

[NotSoUniversal]

only two minutes in and this is really helpful stuff to practice...thanks

[nsaretard]

priceless! I am feeling blissed today! thank you !

[HenfieldWill]

Oh well - glad it hit the spot... :-)

[icyacdc]

is it just me, or does his guitar sound like a bass guitar?

[MISsTang23]

nice one Will. Loadsa practice needed for me But i'll get there so thanks for showing us how its done!

[pieheavenly]

is it a bad habbit to have your pinky laying on the guitar below the strings as your fingerpicking?

[HenfieldWill]

People's views vary. Merle Travis certainly rested his pinkie and played his complex stuff with just a thumb and forefinger! I personally prefer to have my hand free and unhindered, and I think it allows more movement and freedom for the hand. Just my view... :-)

[SeDiZZ]

Ah ok thank you For responding so fast. great videos!

[rishonline]

superb will!! i liked your fluency in guitar playing...i am a beginner and hope to play like u someday!!

[nztman]

Great lesson. I've spent a lot of time learning new songs but never learned good technique.

[Tonty53]

Ottima lezione, molto utile per coloro che si vogliono avvicinare agli arpeggi o fingerpicking in stile moderno.

Bravo!

5*

[Emotionengne]

Damn this is like learning math..unfortunately I suck at both finger picking and math :(

[HenfieldWill]

Slow and steady at first is the way to go, then pick up speed. Do the easiest picks first and go on to the next ones when you feel confident. Practice, practice, practice... :-) Will

[stahrmonroe]

man i suck

[HenfieldWill]

No you don't - what you do is practice! :-) Will

[mikalakacity90]

man, Lots of thanks...genius...helpful a lot...

[LaFleurDeLys]

I've transcribed those patterns for my training. Incredibly helpful, thank you so much!

[bizzjoe]

cool. very good

[bizzjoe]

can u play the drums as well ?

[HenfieldWill]

Yup - do a bit - when I can get hold of a kit! :-)

[opmas1]

thanks will, great!

[jsadosky]

my fingers suck

[aikighost]

Great tutorial and very inspiring for a beginner like me :D

Thanks a lot.

[uhusted]

Awesome and helpful- thank you!

[justlookin4sum]

wow, thanks for the lesson, I added this to my favs so I can go back to it when i need to.

[fridwoow]

Nice! thnx

[contactviolet]

Thank you, Will, for puting this on. It is a real gift and tremendously appreciated. Some people are more gifted and/or have more experience it is so nice that they are willing to share with others and take the time to teach us. Thank you again.

Violet

[DarJack1973]

Wow Will, Thank you just what I have been looking for! I like I said am new at this and I'm going too give it my best shot! Great jazz on your site also this is another of my favorites. Again thanks a bunch:)) DarJack

[anthonydodge]

Thanks so much for this clear and so easy to follow guide !  Its really helped me develop my so far self tuaght finger picking and taken it to the next level ! Great job !

[knut005]

nice vid! this helped me out much!

nice explained and evrything. fingerpicking sure is hard to learn!

[erikch1]

Wow, a BIG THUMBS up!! Great video!!

All explained in an excellent way!! Well done and a big thank you and hurray!!!::))

[FenderIceman]

Great video, Thank you. Would you post more tips on the clawhammer technique hand position, and possibly some more Clapton blues type song, and some Chet Atkins.

[dlood10]

would you recommend getting fingerpicks? or just growing your nails out?

[HenfieldWill]

I always prefer the feel of nails, personally. Having said that, my nails (with advancing age!) are more prone to split these days, and I have had to have recourse to picks on occasions. If you grow your nails out, make sure you file them nice and round on a regular basis - gives a better sound and helps to stop them splitting. :-) Will

[candorous1]

wait so you have to use fingernails for fingerpicking? Ive been playing with the flesh part of my fingers.

[HenfieldWill]

Your choice - and no problem with that. It's all personal taste - I personally prefer the brighter sound of nails. Different strokes for different folks... :-)

[esb369]

Is it fine if I lift my finger picking fingers off a little after I pluck? You seem to not move them off at all

[HenfieldWill]

Yes - any plucking involves bringing the picking fingers off - however briefly. If you didn't, the notes would be damped. I think it's probably just the camera angle that gives the impression of not moving. The fretting fingers can stay on to give a longer note, or be lifted to give s shorter note. :-) Will

[jeremyshambles]

i really appreciate this video, very informative on the fundamentals of picking which I had no idea about, i basicly was just making it up as i go and mimicing others guitarists. the picking on most of the excercises in this paricular video remind me of a wonderful song by donovan called "colors" ,i think thats the title, it would be mint if you covered it and made a video, cheers and thanks again.

[rainer090]

Very useful video!

[greenrootmusic]

Will-

thanks for taking the time to put together such an easily graspable lesson.

Steven

[bigmasterman]

NIICE ima go buy your guitar now, just because ive fallen in love with it lol great video, gonna master that claw thingy.. i forgot what its called,, ILL WATCH IT AGAIN to find out XD good job, keep it up. ive always done my stuff by ear, this helps

[howboutyounow]

Will

I have a martin just like the one you are using in the fingerpicking. I was wondering if you would tell me what strings you are using.

thanks

wayne

[HenfieldWill]

At the time I did this I was using Martin "Eric Clapton" Lite phosphor bronze - .012 guage. However, I now use Elixir coated strings - last much longer, but twice as expensive... :-)

[kommanderlum]

have you tried DR coated? i had to change from elixer to DR, my yammy liked the elixers but my cole clark hated them. i think they work better on different guitars. might be worth a look if you haven't already. thanks for the lesson!

[walsham]

Thank you for this; sounds great and will help many pickers to move on.

Love that GUITAR!

[BazzTheBoss]

what's so hard about fingerpicking??!?!?

[HenfieldWill]

To some novice guitarists - quite a lot of fingerpicking is hard! For example: finger co-ordination, knowledge of what patterns to play, etc. Every little helps... :-) Will

[dwragg2]

Excellent video and really clear, well explained. I have been looking for some finger picking exercises to get me head around and these are perfect.

Thanks!

[pallencaoe]

i just dont get how to put my thumb :( on the notes anyone who can help me

[mmtwohome]

Excellent video, clearly explained, and great choice of songs. I have recommended this site to family and friends.

Thanks for sharing with the guitar community worldwide.

George McKie

Kuala Lumpur

[HenfieldWill]

George - my pleasure! :-) Will

[sk8terboy6621]

thanks duet

[tonymoskina]

This video really helps - thanks ! Can I ask do you rest any part of your right hand on the guitar as an anchor, perhaps your right hand on the bridge or maybe your little finger on the guitar body under the top string?

[HenfieldWill]

I personally don't rest any part of my hand on the guitar body, and never have done, as I think it restricts finger flexibility and movement. Many players, including wizards like Merle Travis, do - but it always look awkward to me. In the end it's personal choice. :-) Will

[uhusted]

This was a really great start for me, thank you! Now I have patterns to practice. Thank you for posting this on youtube. :)

[fabgeorge8]

Logged into my husband's youtube site, fabgeorge8. Your video is Wonderful! Helpful! I started playing guitar several years ago(at 50) with help from my husband but nice to get outside help, also. He teaches private music instruction and does Beatle Tribute stuff, (George Martin Presents: The Beatles) (His real name) Plus writes/performs original music. Your video is very well done! Thank you! Sandra Lee from Indiana

[HenfieldWill]

Thanks Sandra - glad to be of service! :-) Will

[cybertwin88]

Thanks a lot, wonderful! MABUHAY !

[Rotitomato]

You have an amazing guitar.

[HenfieldWill]

The guitar is a limited edition Martin XC1T Ellipse electro-acoustic. It's a cutaway 000 body with a built-in mic and an under-bridge piezo. :-) Will

[monsterhunter22]

this video is great. it is what i was looking for

[crazyseoulsister]

This is awesome!  Thanks!!!

[gtanner123]

Thanks, you're a big help!!

[wellurs]

thanks a lot for making this. It's helping..slowly!!

[mitch7468]

Going to add this to my practice. Thanks.

[fendertele335]

Good work, thanks for your sharing. I almost bought that guitar, ran across a used Taylor in the mean time, but still curious. How do you like that guitar, are they the famous Martin quality? It sounds good on your video.

[Athree07]

this one is great! it helped me a lot! Thanks... =0)

[soitbeginsxxx]

Thank you. This is so great to follow. Not convoluted at all. Lovely and coherent.

[ericbigmanbrien]

I love this video. I've been playing forever but i still need help with the claw hammer.

[PATGELY]

Nice clip...easy to understand. Hope to see some more.Thanks Will.

[ikansusu]

excellent graphics..eases the pain of learning.

[winterports]

Thanks, it doesn't get any better.

[Rubin8]

simple and useful: thanks :)

[stevenaskin]

wow

nice clip thanks this is the type of stuff that i would love to do awesome picking will cheers

[JohnDeacon]

Hi, thanks so much for posting these vids. I'm sorry if this sounds stupid, but do I have to grow my nails slightly longer to be able to play like this?

[HenfieldWill]

It does help. The best way is to buy a good nail file and keep them rounded off they grow - stops the steel strings snagging and tearing.

[guytdavis]

I'm off and pickin' thanks

[rob0cap]

Nicely done Will :) Thanks

[Saig55]

Excellent, Will Loved it!

[GoodOldGar]

An excellent guitar tutorial. Easy to understand and use. Thank you.