Telecaster Guitar Forum - View Single Post - Beginner to fingerpicking......What's the best starting point?

markxus25 · April 28th, 2012, 02:44 AM

When I first learned fingerpicking many moons ago, I started with a D chord and used what they called a Travis pattern on the right hand. The D was easier because it limited to four strings. When I had the right hand down on D I practiced switching to a C, which moved my thumb over on a five string chord, which gave me an idea of how kewl the bass part sounds. Then practiced switching to a G. To me the best part of finger picking is playing the bass part with the thumb.

This looks similar to the pattern I learned (though I hate the whole "dummies" thing)

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...g-pattern.html

I remember having to play the pattern about a million times before I got it down, then had to keep the right hand going steady while changing chords. Once I had it though I could apply to any chord progression. Sounds real advanced to non-guitarist listeners!

I guess an easy practice song would be "Dust in the Wind," which sounds like an Am to C to G thing. "Helplessly Hoping" by CSN is another fingerpick classic.

Critics of learning a "pattern" say it sounds too rigid. Nowadays I mix up fingerpicking with chords to keep from sounding too same/same. But it really helped me learn to isolate and emphasize the bass strings.

Good luck, keep a pickin!

-Mark J.

April 28th, 2012, 02:44 AM	#2 (permalink)
markxus25 TDPRI Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: San Pedro CA Age: 55 Posts: 4	When I first learned fingerpicking many moons ago, I started with a D chord and used what they called a Travis pattern on the right hand. The D was easier because it limited to four strings. When I had the right hand down on D I practiced switching to a C, which moved my thumb over on a five string chord, which gave me an idea of how kewl the bass part sounds. Then practiced switching to a G. To me the best part of finger picking is playing the bass part with the thumb. This looks similar to the pattern I learned (though I hate the whole "dummies" thing) http://www.dummies.com/how-to/conten...g-pattern.html I remember having to play the pattern about a million times before I got it down, then had to keep the right hand going steady while changing chords. Once I had it though I could apply to any chord progression. Sounds real advanced to non-guitarist listeners! I guess an easy practice song would be "Dust in the Wind," which sounds like an Am to C to G thing. "Helplessly Hoping" by CSN is another fingerpick classic. Critics of learning a "pattern" say it sounds too rigid. Nowadays I mix up fingerpicking with chords to keep from sounding too same/same. But it really helped me learn to isolate and emphasize the bass strings. Good luck, keep a pickin! -Mark J.